This post covers my picks for the top Sci-Fi movies, starting with my Top 10!
In the list I talk about the ideas at the heart of the movies. Good Science Fiction always has a simple idea at the core, but one which is left to almost naturally develop into a narrative which will make you sit up and think “WTF did I just watch”. Other Sci-Fi, and some in the later stages of the list completely bypass the horrific ideas, in their cases I’d class them as “Sci-Fi Lite”, good for a watch, but they ain’t gonna shake your mind up :).
I’m not a movie critic, and in many examples what I like has been routinely ripped apart by critics… but what the hell do they know? Just take a movie for what it is, with its limits, and just bloody well enjoy it 🙂
First on the list, and in top place is Lucy (2014). Everything about this movie is epic – apart from it’s too short! In the title role, Scarlett Johansson is more or less forced into taking evolutionary steps, and in short order becomes something else all together. The movie takes the viewer on a roller coaster non-stop journey including one of the best driving scenes out there. Can’t say any more about this without spoilers, but seriously, it’s the one. Morgan Freeman, as usual is excellent in his role, and brilliance from Luc Besson 🙂
Transcendence (2014) comes in a strong second. It received robust criticism when released, however I just really enjoyed this tale of human evolution when mixed with technology. As with all excellent Science Fiction, Transcendence deals with the small idea integrating into and eventually bringing about massive changes in the bigger picture. A small and horrifying idea given space to grow! An epic movie on every level.
Again with a horrifying idea at the core, Ender’s Game (2013) comes in third place. The idea behind this film is brutal… You kinda get a hint, but it’s not until the end of the movie where the true audacity of the idea smacks the back of your brain awake! I can’t really say more without spoilers, but this one will blow you away.
No list would be complete without my fourth place choice, Evolution (2001). This is a Sci-Fi Comedy – and for the life of me I don’t know how the actors didn’t dissolve in a pool of laughter in every other scene. Fox Mulder eat your cold exterior and go watch this supreme masterpiece which I usually end up watching at least once a year! Laugh a minute with some very cute (and some damn right icky) aliens!
In the middle of the pack, fifth place comes Flash Gordon (1980). Wow! What scummy list would miss out on this awesome work of genius! The soundtrack alone is famous enough to have an entry! Flash Gordon saves the day. Simply put – you should have seen this if you’ve been alive at least nine years, if you haven’t – go watch. If anyone re-makes this film they should be punished. Step away from the edit button!!!
Paperhouse (1988) Is in 6th place, but has a special place in my movie loving heart. This was a film I viewed for the first time when I was around 18. Paperhouse stood out from the usual crop of movies at the time, and still does – it’s the whole set of feelings it projects, and the overall style which make it brilliant. An interesting point about this movie is that the mother’s part was dubbed over, giving it a unique sound, making this movie even more cut glass than it was originally. This is a movie which will make you think, for sure.
My Best Friend Is A Vampire (1987) in seventh place. This has been in my favourites list for a long time! I initially saw this on VHS back in the day, and it was many years later when I managed to find it again. Rewatching after 20 years, the film does show its age, but is just as good. It’s a very lite film, so does need the viewer to just relax and watch, easy to pick holes in, but why when it’s so enjoyable 🙂
Night Watch (Russian with eng subs) (2004) is in eighth place. This masterpiece should be filed in the dictionary under “Industrial Cool”. I’ve only watched this and Day Watch in terms of Russian Movies – gotta day I love the whole feel of the movie – it just has an essence and depth that is so different to all others I’ve seen. Dark, Brooding and brimming with purpose, plus a fleeting glimpse of a culture that I doubt I’ll ever know. If you watch this, don’t you dare do it dubbed, Russian with subtitles is the only way.
Barbarella (1968) – Barbarella Psychedelia coming in 9th place! What an amazing movie! It has everything from funky-cool-70s-porn-star-world – costumes, ships, bondage, a fallen angel who’s blind, and finally an Orgasmatron! The villians are villainous, and the heroes are straight from an even more camp Flash Gordon! What’s not to love… ❤❤❤ Barbarella & Jane Fonda!
The Ambushers (1967) comes in 10th place, but still a much loved memory of my early childhood! Dean Martin plays secret agent Matt Helm, and oh boy is he straight out of a whiskey-glass from the 60s! This movie is as sexist-funny as could be for the time it was produced, yet still manages to maintain an air of innocence – guess it was just that way back then. The scenery is cardboard, the special effects only spring to a sparkler or two, yet this low-grade 60’s scifi comedy hits all the right buttons. They just don’t make ’em like this any more!
Now I know this was supposed to be a top ten, but I have a couple of mentions which I’d like to slip in some details for before the main list.
Explorers (1985) – For me, this was always one of my favourite movies, again this is from my childhood. Director Joe Dante manages to capture the feel of the 80s perfectly here, and I’d even go so far to say that the production is more like Spielbergs’. This is junior Sci-Fi at it’s finest – a bunch of kids are sent dreams of circuit designs, and manage to build a spaceship straight out of junk, taking the voyage of their lives! Just wow!
Weird Science (1985) Is the last movie I’ll detail here – what Sci-Fi list would be complete without Weird Science? This is THE teenage Sci-Fi movie! Two nerds rebel against a bully, make a kick-arse girl who then goes on to turn their kitchen blue, and park an ICBM in their living room! Soooo cool – and I so missed out on the tech of that era!
Click the “Continue Reading” link for the full list of 25 titles
Abyss (The) (1989)
Ambushers (The) (1967)
Barbarella (1968)
Battleship (2012)
Biggles (1986)
Blade Runner – The Final Cut (Original 1982, Final Cut 2007)
Bright (2017)
Doctor Strange (2016)
Downsizing (2017)
Ender’s Game (2013)
Evolution (2001)
Explorers (1985)
Flash Gordon (1980)
Inception (2010)
Last Starfighter (The) (1984)
Lost In Space (1998)
Lucy (2014)
Man From Earth (The) (2007)
My Best Friend Is A Vampire (1987)
Night Watch (Russian with eng subs) (2004)
Paperhouse (1988)
Quiet Earth (The) (2003)
Robinson Crusoe On Mars (1964)
Transcendence (2014)
Weird Science (1985)