Top five sci-fi films of all time

[beatmunga]

(PS The whole Star Wars franchise doesn't count. It is set in a very distant past, has supernatural forces as the centrepiece of it's story, and is therefore a Sword and Sandals/Fantasy epic with particularly exotic locations and alternative technology. No more Sci Fi than Lord of the Rings

disagree

sci-fi = science fiction. the time line is irrelevant as is the mysticism... the technology and location (among the stars) is what make it science fiction.

What's scientific about faith, religion, good 'forces' verses evil? Fundamentally unscientific concepts are at the heart of the story. The sci-fi element is there merely as a setting. I'll never forget as a kid being quite miffed when my Dad was talking to some blokes in a pub and he said I liked Star Wars, leading one of them to ask what that film was about. One of the others replied 'oh, you know, it's that far fetched thing.' I got quite defensive - it could happen!

He was right. It couldn't. It is childish, fun nonsense but not worthy of being ranked alongside any half decent science fiction in my opinion. Good sic-fi needs at least a smidgin of verisimilitude. Great sci-fi often has loads of it.

Incidentally, if something taking place off-world automatically makes it sci-fi, what about The Wizard of Oz, or the Narnia series? Is a portal to another world less valid than a boy's toy spaceship?

However, If we are accepting childish guilty pleasure fantasies masquerading as sci-fi, then I pick the 1980 Flash Gordon. It is quite stunningly beautiful to watch, especially in glorious HD. And a Camp as Christmas classic.

[H20nly]

What's scientific about faith, religion, good 'forces' verses evil? Fundamentally unscientific concepts are at the heart of the story. The sci-fi element is there merely as a setting..

faith, good vs. evil... those concepts ring through many of the movies that we've named. the sci-fi element is there as a setting very true, but i'm sorry... planet destroying lasers, fighter ships in space, robots and androids, traveling at the speed of light, trans galactic homing beacons, floating carts, alien races, and all manner of weaponry make it a sci-fi movie. they just do.

Incidentally, if something taking place off-world automatically makes it sci-fi, what about The Wizard of Oz, or the Narnia series? Is a portal to another world less valid than a boy's toy spaceship?

these are fantasy worlds. hence the common designation "sci-fi & fantasy"

using scientific concepts to explain or illustrate large plot points and as a cohesive element tend to make a movie sci-fi. when your disbelief can only be suspended through science because you lack the faith necessary to have faith in faith based concepts you might find yourself picking a movie apart instead of enjoying it.

[simmerdown]

the last Star Trek movie would be in my list, awesome visuals, good story

[beatmunga]

using scientific concepts to explain or illustrate large plot points and as a cohesive element tend to make a movie sci-fi. when your disbelief can only be suspended through science because you lack the faith necessary to have faith in faith based concepts you might find yourself picking a movie apart instead of enjoying it.

You find my lack of faith... disturbing, H20nly.

(sorry...)

[Mint Invader]

i hope, by "Aliens" yall mean Alien...nothing tops the first one, def my #1

No, we mean the second.

Why?

Mech suit
Duct Taped Guns
More aliens


First movie.

ERMERGERD BLOOGY WOOGY WOO, survival horror.

[H20nly]

using scientific concepts to explain or illustrate large plot points and as a cohesive element tend to make a movie sci-fi. when your disbelief can only be suspended through science because you lack the faith necessary to have faith in faith based concepts you might find yourself picking a movie apart instead of enjoying it.

You find my lack of faith... disturbing, H20nly.

(sorry...)

Well played!

[andydes]

First movie.

ERMERGERD BLOOGY WOOGY WOO, survival horror.

No. There is no other film that captured the feel of people being completely out on their own a bazillion miles from home like Alien. I would class it as horror film set in space, but that alone ups into the rank of top notch serious sci fi for me.

Oh and you know, good acting and all the rest of it.

Credit to Cameron for aliens though. It's a good fun action romp.

[simmerdown]

Alien has to be the top horror movie ever too, at the time it was beyond scary, maybe bc it seemes so real...and carpenters Thing would have to be top 5 of the horror list, also it its time, beyond what had been seen before...

[Mint Invader]

Alien has to be the top horror movie ever too, at the time it was beyond scary, maybe bc it seemes so real...and carpenters Thing would have to be top 5 of the horror list, also it its time, beyond what had been seen before...

Ok ok... it is still a good movie :p


But horror... hmmm... I was more a fan of "The Thing" as far as horror movies go.

[ian_halsall]

the Hulk
Scooby Doo 2

[beatmunga]

Plan 9 From Outer Space

[stringtapper]

1. Deus Ex
2. Assassin's Creed
3. Fallout
4. Mass Effect
5. Halo

[Mint Invader]

1. Deus Ex
2. Assassin's Creed
3. Fallout
4. Mass Effect
5. Halo

I see what you did there... not really all that funny. (Fallout rocks thought)

[stringtapper]

I see what you did there... not really all that funny.

Because I'm deadly serious.



Mark my words, video games will surpass film as the preferred medium for creating engaging works of visual fiction. Why sit and watch the story when you can become the story?

[H20nly]

this morning i steered my vessel through time and space. after disembarking i used my most up to date technology to make contact on a global scale... using a sophisticated, but very fucking ugly interface.


i already am the story.