BEST Science Fiction film of all time!

[Robelwell202]

I can't believe that I'm looking at the writings of amateurs...

The best Sci-Fi movie of all time is 'Blade Runner'!

[Vepariga]

there is some great films,ghost in the shell,Star Wars,2001,Alien,Solaris

I want to say Star Wars,but i will say Blade Runner.

[dreamweaver13]

Blade Runner for me.

[Excillon]

I'm surprised that Tron hasn't been brought up yet.

[Ghost Train]

I'm surprised no one has said ROTF ... wtf guys??

[eugimon]

I'm surprised no one has said ROTF ... wtf guys??

RotF surpasses time, it's awesomeness has punched a hole through the fabric of space/time itself.

[areaseven]

I'll be in the minority and vote for A Clockwork Orange.

[taksraven]

RotF surpasses time, it's awesomeness has punched a hole through the fabric of space/time itself.

In other words the film was punched by Chuck Norris.

[eugimon]

In other words the film was punched by Chuck Norris.

yes, punched by Chuck through the awesome barrier and back around which is why people think it sucks, because it's so awesome.

[Noriko Takaya]

Michael Crichton's "The Andromeda Strain". Not that new piece of crap from 2008. I'm talking about the 1971 film here. It very closely followed the book.

Bit of trivia here: Neon Genesis Evangelion uses the computer readout "601" in green letters on a black screen to depict the same unreadable data error that is encountered in The Andromeda Strain. This occurs in several episodes, most notably in episode 5 Rei I. In addition, there are two other concrete references to The Andromeda Strain in the series. First, the layout of Central Dogma is a near carbon-copy of Wildfire. Second, episode 13 Lilliputian Hitcher features an Angel which behaves much like Andromeda - a small crystalline life-form which attacks the seals and vents in Central Dogma, infecting the installation and threatening to trigger its self-destruct sequence.

Edited February 10, 2010 by Noriko Takaya

[Keith]

Tough tough call. Live action I'm gonna have to agree with Togo and say Star Wars, all including the requals, best of which being Sith & Empire.

honerable mention goes to Blade Runner, A.I., and the Kurt Russel Stargate...and the new Star Trek movie.

My anime choice isn't quite as hard, the clear winner in my eyes being Galaxy Express 999, and Adeiu Galaxy Express 999, Final Station Andromeda. In fact, I'd have to say that's my favorite sci-fi of all time period.

As for this nonsenese of not considering SW sci-fi, wtf. Going by random rules of distilling elements, no sci-fi can be considered sci-fi. Is Dune no longer sci-fi? 2001 had aliens that transcended any conventional means of technology, at that point does it cease being sci-fi? Blade Runner is actually a noir detective story, etc. Stop being a sci-fi nazi!

Edited February 10, 2010 by Keith

[myk]

Battle Beyond the Stars...

[fifbeat]

I vote for this:

After 2001 Space Odyssey and Star Wars, this one is probably my 3rd favorite.

[Keith]

Battle Beyond the Stars...

Nah, that's not sci-fi either, it's just Seven Samurai in space!

[Gunbuster]

i liked Robocop

[Keith]

i liked Robocop

Frankenstein with a gun!

[Graham]

Tough call.

Live action movie = Aliens.

Anime movie = DYRL.

Graham

[VFTF1]

I thought the elephant in the room that everyone was ignoring was the Robotech live-action movie. It's a certainty that THAT will be the greatest sci-fi movie that ever will be made.

"will be" - maybe. But the topic is clearly about what movie IS the best sci-fi. Robotech LAM doesn't even have a trailer out. Dissapearance of Haruhi does - and the trailer alone is better than all the movies anybody has mentioned because the Haruhi trailer has the hot hot AAA+ Ryoko in a couple of frames.

No serious'ness allowed.

The intar'webz is for enjoying porn, videos of people getting hurt in an hilarious way and sharing your favorite person, place or thing.

Ok - obviously if we're not being serious - and just joking around - then sure - Blade Runner or whatever is the best sci fi ever. But only because it's Bogart with androids.

Blasphemy!!!

It is actually Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Lagann-hen.

That and

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Lagann-hen can't be the best sci-fi movie because the series is better than the movies. The Haruhi movie, on the other hand, is not an alternative re-telling of the series - it's a movie which is an extension of the story told in the anime.

Last of the Starfighters... is that the lame Mark Hamil movie?

In any event - like I said - if we're just joking - then fine...Blade Runner...obviously Star Wars...

Also - Kieth (as usual) brings up a good point - namely...how do we qualify science fiction?

I think that anything that is at least conceptually possible is Sci-Fi. This is why something like Lord of the Rings is NOT science fiction - because they EXPLICITLY rely on "magic" - on the creation of a universe or world where super-natural phenomena just ARE because there are magical beings and you ought not really inquire too much into "why" - but just accept that such-and-such Being has such-and-such magical characteristics.

Clock Work Orange also does indeed deserve a nod - it's great science fiction - for sure.

Pete

[Black Valkyrie]

Since I mentioned previously The Empire Strikes Back is fave Sci Fi movie of all time, I also like the following :

1- The original Terminator.

3- Aliens.

3- Predator.

4- Blade Runner.

[lord_zed]

I'd have to go with Blade Runner on account of atmospehere atmosphere and yet more atmosphere. It also has my most favourite movie soundtrack of all time.

Aliens, Terminator 2 and Empire Strikes Back also rate a mention being the best of thier respective franchises.

And then I could think of about a dozenalmost great Sci-fi films that are close to greatness, but fail to qualify due to errors, lame plot devices or unecessary action sequences.

[Noriko Takaya]

Battle Beyond the Stars rules! I'd love to fly around the galaxy in a spaceship with huge titties.

[Ghost Train]

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is not fiction, it is a Science Channel documentary on Gar.

[Funkenstein]

No one going to pick MOON or even District 9?

[Marzan]

"will be" - maybe. But the topic is clearly about what movie IS the best sci-fi. Robotech LAM doesn't even have a trailer out. Dissapearance of Haruhi does - and the trailer alone is better than all the movies anybody has mentioned because the Haruhi trailer has the hot hot AAA+ Ryoko in a couple of frames.

Pete

Surely the lovely Ryoko Asakura is only an A+ in the "Taniguchi Female Hotness Scale" with only the incomparable Mikuru Asahina (future version) going into triple digit category?

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is not fiction, it is a Science Channel documentary on Gar.

LOL

Another great, great movie that I think deserves some consideration is the original Metropolis by Fritz Lang. Considering its from 1927, one can truly say that it was absolutely light years ahead of its time. Luckily for all S&F and cinema lovers, a new restored and repaired version of it will be available on dvd and blu ray sometime this year.

[Uxi]

Return of the Jedi is probably my single favorite sci fi movie. All the great elements with big space battle, speeder bikes, lightsaber duel, a Storm Trooper throwing an ewok, and the Death Star fires its laser more than once.

Close Runner up: Star Trek II. Good mix of drama, comedy, big space fight and, of course, "Khaaaaaaaaaaan!"

As for this nonsenese of not considering SW sci-fi, wtf. Going by random rules of distilling elements, no sci-fi can be considered sci-fi. Is Dune no longer sci-fi? 2001 had aliens that transcended any conventional means of technology, at that point does it cease being sci-fi? Blade Runner is actually a noir detective story, etc. Stop being a sci-fi nazi!

Agreed.

[Gubaba]

No one going to pick MOON or even District 9?

Too new. You've got to wait a while to see if the movie stands the test of time.

[VFTF1]

Surely the lovely Ryoko Asakura is only an A+ in the "Taniguchi Female Hotness Scale" with only the incomparable Mikuru Asahina (future version) going into triple digit category?

As I recall it, Taniguchi stated that Ryoko is "AAA+" and never made any mention of Asahina Mikuru-- which isn't surprising given that the Taniguchi scale only measures the hotness of 1st year girls. Asahina is a second year student

...

That said - if I had to drop a nod to SECOND-best sci fi of all time, I'd probably agree with Blade Runner. However, it's possible I hold this extremely favorable view because I (surprisingly) still don't own Blade Runner on DVD...why?...I dunno...and so - it's been a while since I've seen it...and yes, I did love it...

Speaking of similar films - what about Soilent Green?

Edit - oh - and...

ROLLER BALL! With James Cann!

Am I the only mega-fan of that movie?? I thought it was brilliant.

Pete

Edited February 10, 2010 by VFTF1

[Gubaba]

Speaking of similar films - what about Soilent Green?

"You gotta tell 'em...SOYLENT GREEN IS CHEESE!!!"

[F-ZeroOne]

Last of the Starfighters... is that the lame Mark Hamil movie?

Er, no. Maybe you're thinking of the Wing Commander games or "Slipstream"...? "The Last Starfighter was a relatively modestly budgeted 80s film thats become a bit of a cult classic for a couple of reasons; one is that it saw an early use of CGI effects, which included the "GunStar" fighter, the other is very quotable dialogue:

"It'll be a slaughter!"

"Thats the spirit!"

"OUR slaughter!"

[blacklotus]

My vote for the BEST Sci-fi movie has got to be:

Barbarella - Queen of the Galaxy (1968), for the simple reason that is has JANE FONDA (before her fitness-crazy and peace crusade-crazy days), a woman, as the lead character.

Also, what's a sci-fi movie without these spacy, futuristic costumes below:

http://images.google.com.sg/images?hl=en&a...ved=0CDEQsAQwBg

And furthermore, just look at the TAGlines used for this movie:

Who seduces an angel? Who strips in space? Who conveys love by hand? Who gives up the pill? Who takes sex to outer space? Who's the girl of the 21st century? Who nearly dies of pleasure?

See Barbarella do her thing!

The space age adventuress whose sex-ploits are among the most bizarre ever seen.

Who can save the universe?

Can one honestly say the above isn't the BEST sci-fi movie ever?

And in a distant 2nd place, my vote for the next-best Sci-fi movie would be: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Edited February 10, 2010 by blacklotus

[taksraven]

Tough tough call. Live action I'm gonna have to agree with Togo and say Star Wars, all including the requals, best of which being Sith & Empire.

honerable mention goes to Blade Runner, A.I., and the Kurt Russel Stargate...and the new Star Trek movie.

My anime choice isn't quite as hard, the clear winner in my eyes being Galaxy Express 999, and Adeiu Galaxy Express 999, Final Station Andromeda. In fact, I'd have to say that's my favorite sci-fi of all time period.

As for this nonsenese of not considering SW sci-fi, wtf. Going by random rules of distilling elements, no sci-fi can be considered sci-fi. Is Dune no longer sci-fi? 2001 had aliens that transcended any conventional means of technology, at that point does it cease being sci-fi? Blade Runner is actually a noir detective story, etc. Stop being a sci-fi nazi!

Defining SF is never easy. I mean, if you use a very broad definition you end up with films like Vanilla Sky being considered SF (and it was NEVER marketed as being an SF film, even though it really is.) If you use narrow definitions, you end up cutting out a lot of films that people do consider to be SF.

I usually go for the broader definition as it saves a lot of trouble.

As for deciding the best film. I think that there are some people here who are thinking too hard. The best way to decide is just to think quickly and come up with a quick response, like there is somebody with a gun in your face asking you the question. When you think quickly and don't overthink, you get a more true response. If I had thought too much about it I would have said 2001 rather than Aliens, but at the end of the day Aliens is much more enjoyable in its own way and much more accessible in a lot of ways. (I am not saying that 2001 is bad, I love it too.)

Taksraven

[VFTF1]

"You gotta tell 'em...SOYLENT GREEN IS CHEESE!!!"

That bad, eh? I liked both it and Planet of the Apes. The only two Charleton Heston moies I've ever really watched. I can't really remember anything specific - but I thought it was a great premise and recall being moved in that sur-realistic late 70s/early 80s way that sci-fi of that period could move a fellow...

Er, no. Maybe you're thinking of the Wing Commander games or "Slipstream"...? "The Last Starfighter was a relatively modestly budgeted 80s film thats become a bit of a cult classic for a couple of reasons; one is that it saw an early use of CGI effects, which included the "GunStar" fighter, the other is very quotable dialogue:

"It'll be a slaughter!"

"Thats the spirit!"

"OUR slaughter!"

I'm actually thinking of a movie starring Mark Hamil where there's some kind of time travel or something... he has a moustache in the movie...I saw it in a rental store once a long time ago - never watched it...

Pete

[Gubaba]

Defining SF is never easy. I mean, if you use a very broad definition you end up with films like Vanilla Sky being considered SF (and it was NEVER marketed as being an SF film, even though it really is.) If you use narrow definitions, you end up cutting out a lot of films that people do consider to be SF.

I usually go for the broader definition as it saves a lot of trouble.

As for deciding the best film. I think that there are some people here who are thinking too hard. The best way to decide is just to think quickly and come up with a quick response, like there is somebody with a gun in your face asking you the question. When you think quickly and don't overthink, you get a more true response. If I had thought too much about it I would have said 2001 rather than Aliens, but at the end of the day Aliens is much more enjoyable in its own way and much more accessible in a lot of ways. (I am not saying that 2001 is bad, I love it too.)

Taksraven

You raise a good point about Vanilla Sky. Personally, I tend to think of Alien as a horror movie and Aliens as an action movie, rather than really being SF. I've always bought into the John Campbell hype that SF is always about IDEAS, but you're right: a broader definition of SF is probably a better one to use.

Anyway, my point was that there's a lot of overlap between action/adventure movies and SF (for which, I believe, we have Star Wars to thank...witness the TONS of SF critics at the time who slammed it for being simplistic, too adventure-oriented, and kid-friendly), with Blade Runner being perhaps the best example of an action movie that chews on some ideas as well.

But maybe I'm asking too much...all the classics of SF literature are resolutely un-cinematic, from the Foundation Trilogy (which is almost all dialogue and very little action) to Dune (tons of explanatory notes and detail necessary for comprehension) to The Left Hand of Darkness (where reports on ethnology and native myths and legends of the planet Gethen are crucial to the story) to Neuromancer (which is an excellent book almost solely because of its invented language). And I doubt whether any movie even CAN have that kind of depth. As such, I think the best SF movies are the ones that either have a lot of inventive action or use the SF setting to create good human drama (or, possibly, just use the SF stuff to freak the viewer out in the same way a surrealist film would).

And, when push comes to shove, I'll pick human drama over inventive action.

I'd LIKE to see SF cinema catch up with where SF lit is at, but I don't think it'll ever happen, unless audiences start demanding more sophisticated movies.

[Gubaba]

That bad, eh? I liked both it and Planet of the Apes. The only two Charleton Heston moies I've ever really watched. I can't really remember anything specific - but I thought it was a great premise and recall being moved in that sur-realistic late 70s/early 80s way that sci-fi of that period could move a fellow...

In college, my then-girlfriend and I threw a party where we watched "The Charleton Heston Science-Fiction Trilogy": Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green, and The Omega Man. We didn't make it all the way through Omega Man, alas (and yeah, I know we should've thrown in Beneath the Planet of the Apes as well).

But the guy who wrote the short story that Soylent Green was based on (I *think* it was Harry Harrison, but I'm too lazy to make sure right now. I know the sotry was called "Make Room! Make Room!" though) pointed out how silly the concept of the movie was...after all, when he put "soylent" into the story, the idea was that it was made from soy and lentils, which are cheaper and easier to process into food than people would be.

[SkullLeaderVF-X]

I'll be in the minority and vote for A Clockwork Orange.

I'll be your droog and 2nd Clockwork Orange