Monday, February 11, 2013
Defining the Sci-Fi Genre in Film
When you first think of a Sci-Fi film, the first thought that comes to most minds is outer space, Star Wars, Star Trek etc. A living and breathing civilization in another galaxy far, far, away. However it is, as Molly pointed out, a subcategory of fantasy. It's only specified for futuristic environments with technological advancements in an imaginary (or possibly even future) civilization. Also another thing to note is most of these films have a civilization in peril or it begins at the brink of war. We usually have our main characters be very important in this world as well, such as a king, or a general. So, gathering all these bits and pieces that stand out in this genre, it can basically can be defined as very specific category of fantasy. A possible near future, with a civilization in a new world, usually in outer space or a different galaxy, in a very advanced technological environment; and said world being in peril somehow. It never really occurred to me what the definition of Sci-Fi was before, and I still don't think I gave the best definition of it, but throughout this unit I will hopefully get a better understanding of the genre since it's not something I would typically watch.
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I get the "pits and pieces" you think make up sci fi, but I don't get it's connection to fantasy. Why a subgenre exactly? Can't you just as easily say fantasy is a subgenre of science fiction (it just lacks the science parts)?
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, glad your coming at this with an open mind. I think you'll understand it a lot better when all is said and done.
But do the protagonist's always start out as a high ranking official? Isn't much of the story them rising to the top of their respective ladder through space battles and the like? Maybe I just didn't fully understand your definition of the norms of the main characters in Sci-Fi.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with you bro, Sci-Fi reaches far beyond the outerspace Star Wars type films. It reaches further than star treck and distant gaxixies. Sci-Fi is basiclt a sub catergory of fantasy, as you said. I agree that not all fantacy movies are/should be concidered Sci-Fi. And that it takes a certain element to be concidered Sci-Fi.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that you see science fiction as a subcategory of fantasy, I had never thought of it in that way and for some reason always seen them as completely different although im not sure exactly why. The specifics you point out to the genre all make complete sense to me. The last film that i watch that i believe qualifies as science fiction was the most recent Star Trek, and it matches your description exactly. Futuristic setting on the brink of war. Maybe as this unit ends you will see science fiction stands on its own and it is not just a subcategory. It would be cool to come back to that idea at the end of the unit.
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