THE ULTIMATE 1980s FILM: Part 6 – Science Fiction
From H.G. Wells to Philip K. Dick, science fiction has burrowed into our minds to often paint vivid landscapes of dystopian worlds, or have us dare to dream of technological wonders.
We're here to put a microscope over the eighties classics to determine which of its fine products will go through to the final and compete with other genre winners.
As always, your participation is greatly appreciated by casting your vote via the form at the end of this article for each round. It will be interesting to see how the community stacks up against my personal choice. If you're unsure then take a look at their respective trailers and pick one – it's all in good fun. I will reveal the winner of the online community choice in each of the following week's genre rounds. **You can find the winner of last week's genre – cop- at the end of this article.
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I apologise in advance if any of the films you thought are deserving of being included in each list are not featured.
Some Rationale For Being Included On The List
Whether it's as a time travel fantasy adventure or as present day nightmare of alien invasions hell-bent on destroying mankind, narratives of the genre will share with the spectator themes involving a fear of 'the other'. Using the backdrop of science fiction to explore social issues, filmmakers use various techniques to offer messages dominant with western ideals.
History is rife with two cultures at war with one another – usually involving one looking to rule over the other. The fear of conforming to an enemy is often expressed in the form of science fiction. Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1927) would look to explore an autocratic rule over a lower class, whereas, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Siegel, 1956) gave rise to a nation in fear of communism invading our civil liberties and freedoms.
The 1960s space race along with its technological revolution had society fearful of technology running amok and destroying mankind, as touched on in 2001: A Space Odyssey (Kubrick, 1968). While the 1970s saw a cycle repeat in that a counterculture movement looked to push back against an authoritarian rule, realising once more the dangers of establishments looking to keep its distance between social classes. Not to mention another bout of communist propaganda from America's testing relationship with Russia during the cold war, giving us a retelling of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Kaufman, 1978). Only this time, it's ending is more downbeat seeing as the decade was seemingly at an impasse with no end in sight of coming out of its darkness.
Each film is accompanied with a trailer and a short blurb about the narrative. No spoilers in this one folks! In no particular order:
Back to the Future (Zemeckis, 1985)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvsgGtivCgs
“Run for it Marty!” I can never tire of this film – it has laughs, thrills and the flux capacitor! With a great 1950s backdrop, this is a classic that's somehow timeless. Zemeckis has it written into his contract that only he can sign off on a remake. Thank goodness he has on a number of occasions refused to entertain the horror of that notion!
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (Spielberg, 1982)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSx8Jobx-Gs
This broke box office records for its time and has become a staple for many families. If you notice the government for the majority of the film are shrouded in shadows and mystery, feared and revered. Spielberg uses low-key lighting more akin to a horror such was the influence of the 1970s mistrust of authority. He also kept the camera low as if to capture the narrative from a child's perspective.
The Terminator (Cameron, 1984)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k64P4l2Wmeg
Cameron's time travel paradox is thrilling to watch as much as it looks to explore our fears of technology. Schwarzenegger dons the leather jacket and proceeds to end the resistance looking to stop the machines from destroying mankind by going back in time to kill the mother of the resistance leader before he is born. This is the film he first uttered the line, “I'll be back.”
Escape from New York (Carpenter, 1981)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckvDo2JHB7o
Ex-soldier and Federal prisoner, Snake Plissken is coerced into rescuing the president of the United States from Manhattan Island, which is now a maximum-security prison. This one is dark and frightening as much as it's thrilling in its imagination from Carpenter who wrote this in the mid-70s during a period of uncertainty, hence the references to anti-establishment explored in the narrative.
RoboCop (Verhoeven, 1987)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tC_5mp3udE
“I'll buy that for a dollar!” This is satire at its best to match the outrageous graphic violence. Alex Murphy is the murdered cop revived back to life as a superhuman cyborg by OCP (Omni Consumer Products) to clean up the crime-ridden streets of Detroit. An exploration of corporate greed, authoritarianism and corruption, Verhoeven doesn't hold back whatsoever! “Dead or alive, you're coming with me.”
They Live (Carpenter, 1988)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJC4R1uXDaE
Social commentary about the ruling classes maintaining power through subliminal advertising and mass media. The ones holding power are in fact aliens concealing their true appearance as humans. Roddy Piper is the drifter who stumbles on the truth through the use of special sunglasses and joins a rebellion looking to expose the deceit. “I've come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubble gum.”
Blade Runner (Scott, 1982)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhJ7Mf2Oxs
Loosely based on Philip K. Dick's novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Blade Runner is a visual feast taking reference from noir films of the past. Deckard is tasked to 'retire' four Replicants on the run looking for their maker to extend their life cycle. Director, Ridley Scott fought against the studio for creative control releasing many versions throughout the years.
Short Circuit (Badham, 1986)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rlI3Xg9g_A
Johnny Five is alive! Nova Robotics create the future soldier in the form of robot prototypes for the U.S. military. But when lightening strikes number five, it sparks it into life with feelings and a thirst for input. With all the hallmarks of the genre, Short Circuit deserves a place on the list – a family favourite!
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Kershner, 1980)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNwNXF9Y6kY
Leigh Brackett who wrote the classic western Rio Bravo took on the challenge to write an early draft of this, arguably the best edition of the entire Star Wars franchise. And it shows with crackling chemistry between characters and witty dialogue befitting of the wild west. Sadly she passed away before the film started production. “Do or do not, there is no try”
The Last Starfighter (Castle, 1984)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmUiVsz_UH8
Alex Rogan achieves the highest score in the arcade game, Starfighter. Unbeknown to him, the game was a test used to recruit the best in a battle to defend the alien force in an interstellar battle beyond the stars. One of the earlier films to utilise computer generated imagery to depict many star-ships and landscapes and intense battle sequences.
Please choose from the list and submit your vote. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
https://forms.gle/o6TckVqq8KfJkXMRA
**Check back next Sunday for the results of the online community choice, and for part 7 of the series, the 'comedy' genre.
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The winner of the online community vote for the 'cop' genre: *DIE HARD*
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Posters featured in the header can be found on IMDB.