10 Underrated Sci-Fi Movie's

 

Happy New Year Everyone!

Last year I learned something new and that is that January 2nd is National Science Fiction Day. A day meant to celebrate the genre and the birth of Isaac Asimov. Science Fiction is one of those genres you either love or hate in all mediums, you appreciate the absurdness of some of the concepts or scoff at the outlandish ideas. I for one enjoy a good sci-fi movie so I decided in honor of the day, to share 10 Sci-Fi movies that I believe are underrated.

10. Push

This 2009 film is likely what gave Chris Evans his superpower bug back to be Captain America, after his role as Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four. The film is kind of grounded yet set in an world where citizens with strong telepathy/telekinesis powers are monitored and hunted by a group known as The Division. Chris Evans Nick Gant is a "Mover", he has the power to control objects, and he has to protect Dakota Fanning's character Cassie a young "watcher". Watcher's can see the future to a limited degree and The Division are after them.

There also are various groups known as Sniffs, Bleeders, wipers, pushers, and much more. The movie wasn't very successful but created an original world within in the film. That I wish was explored more in potential sequels. For the time being though it was a fun, sci-fi film.

9. Trancers

1984 Trancers is a B-movie classic, spawning five sequels throughout the late 80's and early 90's. Even by today's standards the plot of the movie is a bit out there, so you can imagine how it was in 1984. Starring B-movie actor Tim Thomerson and a then unknown Helen Hunt. Thomerson star's as a police officer in the 23rd century, he's enjoying the life of retirement until he is called in to track down a notorious criminal named Martin Whistler. Whistler use's pyshic powers to transform his victims into "trancers", trancers are normal people who can become basic zombies and carry out orders. 

The hunt gets wilder when Whistler travels through time to 1984, and Thomerson's Jack Derth must follow him. The additional catch? when they travel through time their conscious takes over the body of their respective ancestors. Yeah, a bit trippy but a good time. 

8. 6th Day

Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in this 2000 film that focuses on cloning, The 6th Day. The film also stars Tony Goldwyn, Michael Rooker, Michael Rapaport, and Terry Crew's in his first film role. It follow's Schwarzenegger's Adam Gibson who goes home one day to see that a clone is interacting with his family. See in 2015 cloning is illegal in this universe, but has been occurring under the table. Gibson now on the run must figure out what is going on and who can he trust.

It has some political and a bit of religious (not too much) messaging in the film. And the concept of cloning maybe did not interest folks enough. However the film has a good message and is a decent film.

7. D.A.R.Y.L.

I will admit when I saw this film as a kid I was not entirely sure what to make of the character Daryl. This 1985 film stars Oliver Barrett (Sebastian in Neverending Story) as Daryl which stands for Data-Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform. That's right Daryl is a robot funded by the military designed as a 10 year old, when one of his creators becomes fed up with project he frees Daryl. Daryl then is taken in by a young childless family, and befriends his next door neighbor Turtle and his older sister Sherie. Who along with his foster parents help him him improve his social skills and behave like a 10 year boy. That is until the government returns hot on his trail.

To be a kid's movie, the film has some ethical questions about robotics, the government/military's role in certain fields. And what does it mean to be a kid and more importantly a human. 

6. Virtuosity

In the mid-90's Virtual Reality was a pretty popular concept that never really took off. That did not stop many mediums from utilizing it for storytelling. This one is very underrated, it stars Denzel Washington as an ex-cop turned convict Parker Barnes and Russell Crowe as a Virtual Reality creation SID 6.7. Sid is a creation of multiple various serial killer personalities within a VR training environment. However, when he is able to get free and step into the real world, Parker Barne's is called upon to track him down and stop him.

The movie is enjoyable, funny and Russell Crowe stole every scene he was in. I believe this was only his third or fourth film in America, and he showed the charisma that would make him the star he is today. 

5. Project Almanac

Time Travel, the butterfly effect, and the found footage genre what could go wrong? Apparently a great deal for this 2015 film, which is not as bad as the reviews it got. It follows a young man David who has been admitted to M.I.T. but is well aware he cannot afford it. He stumbles upon a time travel device his late father was working on and along with his sister, friends, and a crush goes back in time to change some things. Of course every time they use it, a blackout occurs and something catastrophic happens.

It's a solid addition to the Time Travel genre, but may have been a few years too late..or early for what audiences wanted at the time. Give it a chance if you haven't seen it.

4. Tank Girl

This 1995 film starring Lori Petty and based on an independent British comic book is truly a comic book come to life. Lori stars as Rebecca also known as Tank Girl, a freedom soldier of sorts who lives in a land and a time where water has become a precious commodity solely owned and controlled by an evil corporation known as W & P (Water & Power). W &P is led by legendary film villain Malcolm McDowell who plays Kesslee, who is hunting Rebecca's group who runs the last water well not controlled by W&P.

After an attack she is on the run and finds new allies in Jet Girl and a group of half kangaroo half-human brothers known as The Rippers. They set out to free the water supply for all. The movie touches on feminism, the scarcity of valuable natural resources, and is an high-energy wacky perfect for the 90's action movie.

3. The One 

This 2001 film starring Jet Li has a bit of a cult following but still is nowhere near as loved as it should be. The film follows the concept of multiverses years before DC TV, DCEU, and the MCU bought it the halls of pop culture. Jet Li plays a version of himself Gabriel Yulaw who is traveling from multiverse to multiverse killing his doppelgangers and in the process making himself stronger, until he becomes "the one" possessing a godlike power. Ya know on some Highlander stuff. Gabriel sets out to kill his last doppelganger in Gabe Law who is time enough for him.

In the meantime agents of the Multiverse Authority played by Jason Statham and Delroy Lindo are hot on their trails making sure neither becomes "the one". The film was made during a time where everyone wanted to incorporate Matrix type effects into their movies, which may have played a part in why it wasn't well received. Trust me however it is a damn good popcorn movie. 

2. Jumper

Man this movie should have been so much more. Based on the 1992 novel, the film stars Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson. Hayden stars as David Rice a young man who can teleport better known as "jumping" in their universe. Using that to his advantage to life off the grid in a hedonistic lifestyle, he soon realizes a group known as the Paladins are hot on his trail. Led by Uncle Sam's Roland Cox, the Paladin's mission is to hunt Jumpers as they believe they are a detriment to society.

David is on the run in a new way alongside his love interest Millie played by Rachel Bilson and a fellow jumper played by Jamie Bell. The film maybe wasn't action-oriented enough for some folks, but had a cool concept and world building when that really wasn't a thing. It should have been the start of a franchise.

1. Alien Nation

Speaking of franchises, the Alien Nation franchise maybe more well known for it's early 90's TV drama spin-off than the film that sparked it. This 1988 film stars James Caan, Terrance Stamp, and Mandy Patinkin. In the film set in 1991 aliens known as newcomers descended on earth a few years ago and integrated into society. Caan plays Det. Matthew Skyes who partner was killed by an newcomer and now has been assigned with Sam Francisco played by Patinkin. Sam is the first newcomer to join the ranks as a detective.

The two work the case to keep a dangerous potent drug that harms newcomers from hitting the streets of L.A. The movie is funny and created some mythology of the newcomers that was explored in the TV series, such as how they get drunk off of milk and what causes them pain. It also has a strong social commentary message which is even more relevant today on the role immigrants play in society.  

I think it was quite ahead of it's time and should be appreciated more.

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Bring Back Steel, Without Shaq

The DC Universe streaming service is set to debut later this month. Streaming services are all the rage nowadays and every media company out there is throwing their hand in the bucket for some extra cash. A good thing about streaming services is that it has opened the door for so many creators and content that wouldn't see the light of day in traditional media.

 The DC Universe has already announced some original programming Titans, Swamp Thing, and Doom Patrol are a few properties that will air on the DC Universe platform. While I’m personally looking forward to Swamp Thing, I think DC should use this opportunity to bring Steel to the small screen.

  As a live action TV show with about 10 episodes, it could right the wrong that was the movie starring Shaq in 1997. Since TV shows and movies based on comic books, are developed with much more care nowadays it could rival any of the Marvel Netflix shows or CW DC shows. Here are three things a possible series would need to be successful.

Getting John Right

First order of business is portraying John Henry Irons as he is in the comics. A engineer/scientist who works for a high tech firm Amertek Industries and uses his brain just as much as his size to get the job done. Some things go south on the job and John leaves to become steel.

Representation is very important in any genre, highlighting a black superhero who is very intelligent and builds his armor and gadgets rivaling Iron Man on his own. Could be a spark in a lot of Black kids to take more of an interest in the STEM field. Streamline his armor and make it less clunky add some gadgets that have real life purposes and someone could really believe they would see Steel walking down the street.

Setting

Location is next, in the 1997 film Steel is set in Los Angeles. In the comics he traditionally lives in Metropolis, even moving to Washington D.C. at one point in the comics. The series would benefit from not being in Metropolis, as too many viewers would always be waiting for clues that superman is around. Having Steel set in a fictional inner city would probably be the best bet to allow the character to build his own world.

Opponent

A compelling villain, most superheroes stories are best when they have a villain that is a perfect foe to them. The stakes have to be real and high, and something is personally affecting the hero.  Steel doesn't have a primary villain that is synonymous with him.

He’s traditionally fought street gangs, which he did in the film. If a series was created and the creators went that route, it would draw comparisons to CW’s Black Lighting.

Using a fellow employee at amertek who has gone rogue would be the best option. Maybe throwing a wrinkle in the story that the employee knows John Irons is Steel. That could make for a nice cat and mouse game.

We need more black superheroes.  Black Panther proved there's a market for it. Luke Cage and Black Lighting have produced quality, interesting TV shows. If DC wants to make a serious splash in the streaming world, a Steel TV show would definitely help out. Hell DC hire me I’ll do it!

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Time To Freeze

 Filmmaker and comic book geek Kevin Smith recently commented that it’s time to bring the Mr. Freeze character back to the big screen. After thinking about it for a while damnit he is absolutely right. In my opinion Mr. Freeze is Batman’s number two nemesis behind The Joker. His tragic reasoning for being a villain is a stark contrast to The Jokers chaos at all cost character. The Joker is a fascinating character and will always be known as Batman’s arch-nemesis, his character has been portrayed in several incarnations throughout film. A origin movie is currently in development with Joaquin Phoenix portraying the clown prince, while Jared Leto is still primed to get another run with his portrayal of The Joker.

 Mr. Freeze on the other hand has only been portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the campy Batman and Robin movie. The character of Victor Fries however is worthy of another run and has a good story to tell. There’s no plans anytime soon for him to appear in Ben Afflecks Batman film, so a origin film as part of DC’s stories outside of the DCEU would be the best route.

  A good man who as a scientist just wanted to find a cure for her terminally ill wife, he’s gone mad after an accident and becomes Mr. Freeze. That slow burn from common man to villain would make for a interesting story outside of the caped crusader, think of Walter Whites slow burn in “Breaking Bad”. Of course with the payoff being his final transformation into the villain we know today.

  An Mr. Freeze origin movie has so much room for an interesting backstory set against real life backdrops. The common debate about new and unconventional methods to treat diseases and illnesses, cryogenics as a means to prolong life, the marriage between medicine and politics, and of course lost love. Include a criminal organization or corrupt businessman Dr. Fries runs foul of trying to save his wife. He could be the sad hero in his own film as well, throw in some cameos from other Batman characters to satisfy the Easter egg hunters. Keep the bad cold puns to a minimum and this could be a victory for DC.

  The 1998 animated film Batman and Mr. Freeze: Subzero was Mr. Freezes best incarnation. It displayed heart, action, and consequences in a children’s film. DC needs to green light this sooner than later and let everyone know it’s Time To Freeze.

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