Measuring Originality

The question of how to evaluate science fiction is an interesting one because sci-fi is a genre that seems like once they become out-of-date, there may be less value to them. 2001: A Space Odyssy, for example, takes place already 12 years ago and may seem farfetched to modern audiences. Below is a shot from the film, and it looks more like the 60s (when the film was created) than 2001. Films that were once considered amazing, such as E.T., seem less impressive now.



To be more reasonable, the originality might be the most viable method of evaluating the sci-fi genre and in order to know how original the films are, the time they were made is important. They cannot be compared to sci-fi films from current day because of the changes in technology that have given current filmmakers an advantage. By placing a film in its original context, the measure of originality will be more fair.

H.G. Wells critized Metropolis very harshly mostly for its lack of originality. He called it "Unimaginative" and that the creators were "intellectually lazy". Possibly the goal of science fiction is to be as creative as possible, but still realistic. In a way, science-fiction attempts to create a realistic prediction of the future.

With Things to Come, the predictions they made of the future actually played out; such as flat screen tvs. This foresight and originality makes the film a better science fiction film and more impressive.