Entertainment Weekly has published their list of the top 25 science fiction shows and movies (hat tip to Darren). Since they count things like Back to the Future as sci-fi (whatever happened to speculative fiction?), I disagree with a lot of their choices, but agree with others:
- The Matrix
I wouldn’t have given it number one, but it certainly belongs on the list. It was a highly imaginative movie whose world unfolded to the audience only as they did to Neo, and did a surprisingly good job of sticking to its own internal rules. Both of the sequels, however, belong on the list of the 25 most disappointing, crappy movies.
- BSG
This should have been number one. Nuff said there.
- Blade Runner
Definitely belongs on the list. A great movie, and an uncommonly good adaptation of the short story. Interestingly, Andrew Bolt is discussing this movie on his blog.
- X-Files
Yeah, okay, but this should have been qualified to refer to the first three seasons, and only shows that had nothing to do with the overall premise (they were always the best episodes; the space aliens episodes were always too predictable and comparatively, a yawn). The problem with the show is that after the first three seaons, it became obvious that Chris Carter and the writers had never had any idea where they were taking the show, and it wondered off into stupid dead-ends.
- Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan
If any of the Star Trek movies belongs here, this one does. Refreshingly absent of all hand-wringing, Roddenberry nonsense.
- ST:TNG
Believe it or not, I think it belongs in the list. I hated every minute of this series and every thing about it, but it belongs here because it did more than any other show or movie to legitimize sci-fi as a viable, profitable genre.
- Aliens
I’m mystified by this. Sure, it was one of those rare sequels that was almost as good as the original, but why include this, but not Alien?
- Lost
This is science fiction?
- Starship Troopers
It was a fun movie if you hadn’t read Heinlein’s novel. If you had (and how could you call yourself a sci-fi fan if you hadn’t), it was a mess. Of course, what do you expect when Verhoeven had not only never read it, but thought Heinlein was an evil fascist, how do you expect a moron like that to show any respect to the original? It wouldn’t go on my list.
- Galaxy Quest
Sure, it’s a spoof, but perhaps the best spoof on film to date. Darren is right. This deserved a higher place than it got.
joubertconlon says:
“Verhoeven had not only never read it, but thought Heinlein was an evil fascist…” I did not know that. It explains everything.
May 5, 2007, 11:26 amPeggy U says:
No Terminator? Or T-2?
May 5, 2007, 3:18 pmrightwingprof says:
Yeah, but they cheated. They put both of them together.
May 5, 2007, 3:24 pmPeggy U says:
Oh - and Brainstorm with Christopher Walken and Natalie Wood …
May 5, 2007, 4:49 pm