I have
never found science-fiction to be a genre I was ever attracted to. I may not
have nurtured it from the early stages of artistic appreciation, but no I have
never found it intriguing, not even those appraised as accolades of cinema such
as 2001: A Space Odyssey, which in
all honesty I only admire because I’ve been told to. I admit that I have,
on more than one occasion, enjoyed those that fall under the sci-fi umbrella, Blade runner was a film I watched and
found entertaining, but not memorable, it was there as I watched it, and gone
when the credits appeared, it just didn’t stay. I’ve been asked to define
science-fiction, and the only conclusion I can come to, is that science-fiction
is a filmic fantasy where the decisions that we (as humans) have or have not
made, are ridiculed, appraised, or criticized, sometime sin the most creative of ways.
Well for heavens sake, Marta, don't admire something because some tells you to.
ReplyDeleteWork on your definition a bit more. If it's merely about "decisions that we as humans have made," then Lincoln is sci fi since it's about Lincoln's decision to push for the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. You're missing something.
Based both on your post here and your comment on Lily's post, I can see where you're coming from. From our modern perspective, most of the sci-fi we experience is rather trashy. This is not in reference to 2001 (which I enjoyed) or Bladerunner (not quite as much), but rather the multitude of sci-fi infused blockbusters that seem to have taken over the box office. Transformers. Battle: Lost Angeles. I am number four. All of these are marketed as sci-fi, and seem to fall into the genre fairly well, but they all exploit the inherently interesting topic of extraterrestrial life in order to provide superficial and action-packed entertainment. Sex appeal is mixed in (as you pointed out in your comment on Lily's post) and the movie is a hit. But it seems that sci-fi originally came into existence so that we could explore deeper themes within the realm of the "possible", and that most movie sci-fi is straying from the original point (albeit it is still sci-fi).
ReplyDeleteI think 2001 A Space Odyssey handles sci-fi respectfully, although I understand why someone might not enjoy it. I believe that Blade Runner does so as well, although Ridley Scott does mix in sex appeal, and I admit I didn't enjoy Blade Runner as much as I expected to. But I'm sure there are many sci-fi movies you would enjoy, even if they appear as exceptions to a genre you otherwise despise. I only know of a few, but you may like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXiRZhDEo8A (it's sci-fi, I swear) but perhaps you've already seen it.
Also this: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1527186/ (more pseudo-sci fi used to explore non-sci-fi themes, but still very thoughtful)
And this: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058898/
And the matrix hits some big themes, yes? Big, leather-clad themes.
To Mr. Boswell you are right, I need to be more specific on what sci-fi is, my statement was far too broad, and to Gabe, first off thank you for your suggestions I took a look at them. I have actually seen Melancholia before (my mother dragged me with her), and I’ve also watched Never let Me Go thru the power of Netflix, and I have to admit that at that moment in time I didn’t really see them as falling under the sci-fi genre. I guess that I stereotypically believed that science fiction films limit themselves to matrix types things(which yes had plenty of theoretical and philosophical concepts to make it more than just a special effects binge), and should start to look at films more like those that you suggested. I will take a look at Alphaville, and try to see it as a sci-fi film, without judgments.
DeleteI agree with your point about how sci-fi challenges the decisions we make and how it affects humanity for better or for worse. But, there is also more to it. As I realized while reading comments on my own post about technology and time travel- science fiction is more than just regarding the decisions humanity has made and criticizing them.
ReplyDeleteNo, thank you.
DeleteNO. THANK YOU.
DeletegIRL
DeleteI agree that science fiction causes us to focus on decisions, theoretical and and philosophical concepts and stuff, but I don't think that this is something that is specific to the genre... "deeper themes" as Gabe put it are in a lot of other genres too, so in your definition is kind of broad. But I think you realize that already.
ReplyDelete