I’ve stated before how much I love the science fiction. It’s been my obsession since I was a youth, which is odd, considering I write primarily fantasy now.
Anyhow, I think most people are most familiar with sci-fi through the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises, and while I enjoy both, I think they get a bit too much press. There are many films out there just as good as those franchises, but few people know about them. Here are my top five.
5. Stargate
I’ve stated before that Stargate SG-1 is one of my favorite TV series. The series was based on an excellent film made in 1994 about a group of intrepid explorers who travel through a wormhole device known as a Stargate to another planet. The planet is populated by humans taken as slaves from Ancient Egypt by a tyrannical alien.
It’s an exciting movie, and one of my all-time favorites.
4. Wal-E
Yes, I’m aware this is a children’s film. I don’t care. It’s extremely well done. The film begins hundreds of years in the future. Through pollution, over-consumption and just plain laziness, humans have rendered earth unlivable, and are forced to flee aboard star ships, leaving garbage-cleaning robots to undo the damage, including the title character.
Wal-e goes about his business, cleaning up trash, collecting treasures and taking care of his pet cockroach. One day, a rocketship lands not far from Wal-e’s home, carrying within it a sleek-looking robot named Eve. Eve’s mission is to find proof of plant matter to take back to the star ship as proof that the earth has recovered sufficiently that humans can return. Wal-e becomes enchanted with Eve, eventually winning her over in one of the greatest love stories in animated film.
Wal-e, despite only saying a few words, is an extremely likable and expressive character. This is a great movie for the whole family and there’s a reason it’s in the Library of Congress film archive.
3. Zathura
This is another wonderful children’s film I saw for the first time last year, and I loved it. The story is technically a sequel to Jumanji, though one can watch it and enjoy it thoroughly without having seen Jumanji.
Two brothers, Walter and Danny, do not get along. While their divorced father is at work, the boys accidentally stumble upon an old board game in their dad’s basement. Once they begin playing it, the game transports them to some far corner of the galaxy. After a series of dangerous adventures in space, the boys discover the meaning of brotherly love and forgiveness.
2. Treasure Planet
Yes, another “children’s film” but quite honestly, I don’t think it is. The plot and characters are sophisticated. It’s extraordinarily well done.
The movie is pretty much a sci-fi/steampunk version of the Robert Lewis Stevenson novel Treasure Island. Jim Hawkins is a young, rebellious man, longing for an adventure to prove his worth. His father walked out on the family when he was a young boy; the film expertly explores the effect that can have on a boy.
One evening, a space pirate wanders into his mother’s inn, carrying a mysterious box. The box contains a holographic map to the Treasure Planet, where the famous pirate, Captain Flint, hid his enormous treasure. Jim, Dr. Delbert Doppler and a ragtag crew of spacers embark on a dangerous journey to recover the lost treasure.
As I said, wonderful film. Beautifully animated. Expertly written. You’ll love it.
1. Iron Giant
Lot of children’s films on here. Oh well. Watch them with your kids.
Iron Giant is a soulful, fun adventure film about a boy and his giant robot from space. Hogarth Hughes is an average boy in 1950s Maine who accidentally stumbles on a giant space robot whom he befriends. They have some adventures together, there’s some government shenanigans, all culminating in a bitter-sweet ending for the boy and his machine.
So what are some of your favorite Science Fiction films? Buy a subscription to comment below, and don’t forget to share with your friends.