True science fiction

Rating: 9/10 (24 September 2006)

There are so few true science fiction movies made, this is one of the very few that passes the bill for me. This is not a disguised horror film, though it certainly drifts that way quite a bit. It is certainly not a science film - much is implausible - what do those tens of thousands of indigenous creatures eat when there aren't a handful of humans on the planet and mass extinction is obviously in progress? Let along how do three suns revolve around a group of planets (Newton would shudder in his grave)? But this film does the one thing science fiction is supposed to do - and does it well. It creates an alternative reality and lets you imagine real humans living in it. The alternative reality works, and the psychological elements of the drama are icing on the cake. As a lifelong science fiction fan (in written form), my disappointment at the weakness of science fiction in film is nearly endless. This film encourages me. It is part way there. I'm looking to seeing the sequels (and probably will soon). I would also rate movies such at 13th Floor, Contact, Mission to Mars (and of course, Forbidden Planet) in that class - true science fiction films, as well as the more popular and mainstream original three Star Wars movies and the Alien series.... but not a great deal else.... (perhaps that is why I find Mars Attacks! the most workable ultimate compromise???)