Many film critics view the science fiction genre as fantastical, unrealistic and even childish. But it's easy to mistake "sci-fi" for the fantasy genre; films such as Lord of the Rings and Star Wars don't fall into the strict definitions of sci-fi at all. Instead, sci-fi films should be defined by the fact their stories exist exclusively in our world; quite often this is a world of the future, therefore, science fiction has to consider the rules and limits of our world, in a highly imaginative and scientifically curious way.
Science fiction films thus are often philosophical, intellectual and socially considerate in terms of thematic approach and the way the "scientific" subject matter relates to and affects society.
Metropolis (1927)
One of the earliest examples of the genre, and renowned German filmmaker Fritz Lang's most famous film, Metropolis may come across as cliché thanks to technological images of a future world involving gold-suited robots, industrial machines, dials and clocks, but this is simply because the film influenced many of the images see in sci-fi, since overused in other films. The film has, for over eighty years, been missing key scenes, which have only just been rediscovered from an old cinema house in Brazil. A must for all sci-fi lovers.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Stanley Kubrick's most famous film, about a homicidal artificial intelligence that operates a space station and threatens the life of its crew, has divided viewers for decades. Heavy-handed at points and extremely enigmatic towards the end, the film often leaves viewers perplexed. What is particularly remarkable is the film's dedication to scientific factuality; Kubrick made 2001 with immense attention to detail and there are very few elements falsifying the reality of life in space (except the ending, but that's another matter).
Possibly the greatest science fiction film in terms of the "scientific" elements, and an excellent story for those with the patience and willingness to pay close attention.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
One of the most highly original "futuristic" films of all time. Stanley Kubrick's controversial classic follows a gang of teenagers in near-future England, where antisocialism and violence rules. One of the teens, Alex, is sent to jail and becomes part of a government-based mind-alteration experiment, where the test subject becomes physically sick at the sight of sex and violence.
The film is visually unique and an excellent consternation on the nature of human individuality in the social system; Kubrick withdrew the movie after a string of copycat gangs mimicked some of the violence in the film, and A Clockwork Orange was only re-released in the UK after his death.
Solaris (1972)
Russian filmmaker Andrej Tarkovski directed this film about a space station docked over a strange planet Solaris, which can read the human imagination and causes bizarre hallucinations amongst the station's crew. A doctor arrives to analyse the crew and starts to succumb to visions of his dead wife as she temps him towards accepting her, and thus insanity.
The film is ponderous at times, but is incredibly original and deeply philosophical, one of the lesser known gems of the genre. Was faithfully remade by Steven Soderberg in 2002, but the original is still the best.
Alien (1979)
A classic example of sci-fi crossed with horror; when the Alien franchise began it terrified audiences with its scenes of claustrophobia in outer space. The original is still the best, although is somewhat tame by today's standards, and follows the adventures of a space crew who discover mysterious alien eggs on a distant planet. The eggs hatch (inside one of the crew) and the ensuing alien targets the crew one by one.
One of director Ridley Scott's first films, Alien is a dark and detailed study of human psychology; of gender and class roles within the confines of an inescapable world of horror and mayhem.
Blade Runner (1982)
The word "cult" refers to a small but very dedicated group of followers - an apt description - Blade Runner is a film loved and studied by a dedicated few, while it confuses and frustrates many others. The film focuses on 'Replicants', a series of human-like androids who long to live beyond their four-year life span, and the investigator (Harrison Ford) sent to destroy them when they revolt. Keep an open mind for this classic.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Before Avatar and Titanic, James Cameron directed this action/sci-fi masterpiece, one of the best sequels ever made. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a robot sent from the future to protect John Connor, who will eventually lead the defence against a robot uprising in the future. Sounds pretty over-the-top, but this action film barely lets audiences breathe with imaginative sequences, cool one-liners and a very memorable villain.
The Matrix (1999)
"Welcome to the desert of the real". With lines like these, the Wachowski brothers launched The Matrix on the world, an incredible, visually stunning science fiction/action film in which Keanu Reeves 'wakes up' from reality (that is, our reality) to discover that the human race is being held mentally and physically captive by sentient machines. With famous special effects scenes and intelligent plotting and subtext, this film, based roughly on certain philosophical ideologies, was a sensation. It was followed by two disappointing sequels, but the original is timeless.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Some might be surprised to find this film in the sci-fi category, but the genre isn't all about outer space and aliens. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet play a couple in a doomed relationship; when they break up, she undergoes a new type of treatment and has him completely erased from her memory. This cleverly written and rare "sci-fi/romance/comedy" genre mash-up is one of screenwriter Charlie Kaufmann's best efforts and, as with many of the genres best film's is utterly original and thought-provoking. A beautifully funny, dark and lyrical film.
