Mr. Nobody (2009)
Mr. Nobody is a fascinating character piece that uses sci-fi tools without tethering itself to the genre. The eponymous character is the last mortal human, and Nemo Nobody has lived quite a long and interesting life. Narrated by his 100+ years old self, Nemo speaks about key moments of his life, all the while exploring the different paths he could have taken along the way.
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Rebuild Of Evangelion Movies (2007-2021)
Although initially sticking close to the original timeline, these movies eventually make their own path, with the last two entries sharing almost nothing in common with the older show. Boasting fantastic animation, solid characterization, and intriguing themes, Rebuild of Evangelion is a worthy extension of an influential anime property.
The War Of The Worlds (1953)
A classic movie based on an iconic novel, Byron Haskin’s The War of the Worlds is arguably the best adaptation of H. G. Wells’ book, except for perhaps Orson Welles’ radio play. Like many sci-fi movies from the ’50s, this release’s groundbreaking visuals and special effects look dated and corny in the 2022 sun; however, that does not diminish the fact that War of the Worlds was an impressive accomplishment upon its debut.
Released during the Cold War, the movie reflected the United States’ fears at the time, transforming Wells’ story into a terrifying allegory. Nowadays, War of the Worlds is just an entertaining sci-fi action film, and that’s perfectly fine as well.
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Taking inspiration from Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, the franchise’s best movie, Into Darkness is a fun action-driven sci-fi flick. Abrams’ reboot trilogy moved away from Star Trek’s prioritization of discovery, exploration, and discussion, opting to focus more on big set pieces. This change was not to everyone’s tastes, but if someone is looking mainly for a well-acted blockbuster, then all three films are enjoyable.
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Even as some of its story elements may falter, Star Trek Into Darkness can fall back on a charismatic cast filled with talented performers. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Benedict Cumberbatch are all on top of their game, and they are supported by the likes of Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, and Zoe Saldana.
The Hunger Games Movies (2012-15)
The Hunger Games was a massive deal for roughly a decade. While the franchise’s popularity has faded in recent years, this universe still attracts enough interest to drive the creation of a prequel which is set to debut toward the end of 2023. The original four movies take place in a dystopian society that divides its people into 12 districts, with their ranking reflecting its citizens’ social standing. Each year, the Capitol holds a battle royale pitting members from each district in a fight to the death.
The movies tell Katniss Everdeen’s story as she goes from district 12’s chosen fighter to an icon fueling a rebellion against the Capitol. Katniss is thrust into this role unwillingly, and she struggles to carry the new weight placed on her shoulders.
Gamera Heisei Period Movies (1995-2006)
The second and third entries are especially fantastic, and they excel in different areas. Attack of the Legion serves up a masterclass in action and sets, including battles that are still impressive all these years later. Revenge of Iris has a surprisingly effective storyline that makes good use of the movie’s human characters, a positive that can be credited to very few of these films.
Face/Off (1997)
Face/Off centers around a piece of technology that allows two people to swap faces. It is dumb, and that is something that could be said for the whole movie. Just to be clear, that is not a criticism. Yes, Face/Off’s internal logic does not make much sense, and the movie focuses too much on the tech’s mechanics for its own good, but that is all irrelevant when the rest of the package is so much fun. John Travolta and Nicolas Cage spend two hours engaging in an over-acting contest, with the real winners being the audience.
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John Woo knows how to put together an over-the-top action fest, and Face/Off is the director’s crowning achievement of explosive absurdity. Sci-fi has crafted a few of cinema’s most deep and complex narratives, but sometimes nothing hits the spot like scene-chewing acting, doves, and Cage dressed as a priest.
1984 (1984)
A cornerstone of the dystopian novel genre, George Orwell’s 1984 has been adapted a couple of times, with the 1980s version generally rated as the best. While not a replacement for the source material, Michael Radford’s movie does a stellar job of capturing the book’s crushingly depressing tone.
A lot of ’80s sci-fi flicks have rather colorful aesthetics, but 1984 is the direct opposite. The film is bleak and ugly, and there is nothing glamorous or particularly futuristic about this story’s world. This realistic presentation is reflected by the minimalist acting, with William Hurt delivering a particularly powerful performance. Consequently, 1984 is not a pleasant sit by any stretch of the imagination, and people unfamiliar with the novel might struggle to follow the movie.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (2022)
Considering the reaction to the first feature’s original trailer, Sonic the Hedgehog’s film career has been going surprisingly well. Sure, neither of the released movies are ground-breaking works of art, but they do not need to be. They are simply entertaining popcorn flicks that respectfully adapt the source material for the big screen.
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Sonic the Hedgehog 2 integrate Knuckles and Tails into this universe, and they bounce well off Sonic and Robotnik. Admittedly, the sci-fi elements are more fantasy than science, however, they are charming in a Saturday morning cartoon type of way. Except for sequences revolving around human characters not portrayed by Jim Carrey, Sonic 2 is a fun ride.
Source Code (2011)
Released with little in the way of fanfare, Source Code came out of nowhere. At a brisk 90 minutes, this sci-fi thriller hits the ground running and never slows down. Stuck in a time loop, Captain Colter Stevens must stop a bomb attack on a train in order to break the cycle. To make matters even more complicated, Colter assumes the body of another person while on this mission.
Sci-fi is known for big ideas, but their execution does not always require a huge presentation. Source Code uses its limited setting, relatively small roster of characters, and repetitive premise to craft a tight and engrossing script, all the while still delivering high-octane action sequences. Led by Jake Gyllenhaal, the actors do a great job with the material they are given.
Coherence (2013)
The multiverse is hardly exclusive to the MCU. Coherence centers around a dinner party taking place as a comet passes over Earth, causing bridges to open between multiple realities. In each reality, the characters make distinct decisions that generally prove to have significant consequences.
Coherence explores how little moments can shape someone’s existence. This film is best experienced blind and as part of a group that is willing to discuss its ideas and conclusion; basically, this is a fun party movie, especially since it is obscure enough to increase the odds that everyone will watch the film with fresh eyes.
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