In the wake of Monday's brilliant final trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, most of us were left counting down the days until opening night. And while December 18th can't get here soon enough, there are plenty of articles, theories and think pieces already out there to get you through the wait. I thought I'd create something a little different in anticipation of the main event.
Sci-fi's not a new phenomenon by any means, with classics like 2001, Alien and (of course) the original Star Wars trilogy still watched and adored by millions of moviegoers. However, it's had a bit of a resurgence lately, with a few (such as Gravity, Interstellar & The Martian) turning into hugely successful blockbusters themselves. I've compiled a list of five excellent sci-fi films that you need to watch/re-visit - with the added twist that they all relate to Episode VII in some way. Enjoy!
Star Trek (2009)
"Thrusters on full…"
I adore the first Star Trek movie. It’s fun, frenetic sci-fi entertainment at its very best – and the main reason why I’m certain JJ Abrams will deliver the goods with The Force Awakens. With Trek, Abrams joined an iconic sci-fi franchise in need of a new direction. He transformed an eclectic cast of talented young actors into characters audiences could love and care for, inviting in a whole new generation of fans in the process. What more could you want from Episode VII?
A few hardcore Trekkies weren’t so happy with the way he approached the tone, claiming he tried to appeal to the masses with an emphasis on action and spectacle – rather like the Star Wars movies. If anything, their criticism is proof his vibrant, energetic style is more suited to the rival franchise. While I’m less fond of the sequel (which felt like a re-tread), Star Trek sits right up there alongside Batman Begins as one of the best reboots of the last fifteen years.
Oblivion (2013)
"Are you an effective team?"
Probably the most divisive movie on this list, for many, Oblivion was a meandering bore that never really fulfilled its true potential. For others it was a visually stunning and refreshingly original sci-fi experience. While most of the praise (or criticim – depending on how you view it) should go to director Joseph Kosinski, original TFA writer Michael Arndt wrote the movie’s final draft, and had a hand in bringing some of its more profound and mysterious elements to life on the big screen.
Arndt’s involvement in The Force Awakens could be disputed. He exited the film a while back, citing creative differences with Disney & Abrams. And yet he’s still been given a full screenplay credit – suggesting some of his ideas still made it into the final cut. If so, the Oscar winning writer’s entire body of work (including Toy Story 3 & Catching Fire) should give Star Wars fans plenty to look forward to. In the meantime, Oblivion is worth a watch for any sci-fi aficionado out there – not to mention its truly fantastic soundtrack – courtesy of M83.
Attack The Block (2011)
"Allow it."
Have you met John Boyega? He’s about to be a huge star. The Force Awakens’ co-lead will complete a trio of very diverse sci-fi films with a role in James Ponsoldt’s The Circle next year - but his incredible journey all began with a British flick called Attack The Block. Chances are, you’ve heard of it – it’s what made Ant-Man co-writer (and perhaps future Gambit director?) Joe Cornish such a highly valued commodity. It’s also one of the most original B-movies of the last ten years.
Boyega delivers a memorable turn as ‘Moses’, the leader of a gang of teens in London. Strong-willed and imposing, he’s a far cry from his charming, lovable off-screen persona here. In fact, it takes quite a while for you to warm up to him at all. The movie itself is thoroughly enjoyable, blending classic sci-fi and horror tropes with a different kind of British humour. It’s also a visual treat. Watch out for a phenomenal hallway sequence that’ll leave you as disorientated as the characters onscreen.
Ex Machina (2015)
"Isn’t it strange, to create something that hates you?"
Ex Machina is undoubtedly one of the best movies of 2015 so far. Alex Garland’s artificial intelligence film is a thoughtful, gripping and masterfully intense viewing experience that will linger will you long after the credits have rolled. Both deviously clever and visually stunning, it’s a rare piece of sci-fi cinema that boasts just as much style as it does substance. Garland’s script is almost Kubrickian in nature, and leaves the audience mulling over what it truly ‘means to be human’.
The film also boasts three of the best performances of the year. Alicia Vikander is bold and beguiling as the android ‘Ava’. However, it’s The Force Awakens stars Domhnall Gleeson & Oscar Isaac you’ll want to keep your eye on here. The former is quietly brilliant as the film’s intuitive lead, while the latter is a tour de force, both in character and on the dancefloor. The chemistry they share is electric – I’m praying they get a few scenes together this December as General Hux & Poe Dameron.
Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
"Well now I’m standing. Happy? We’re all standing now. Bunch of jackasses, standing in a circle."
Not so long ago, in a galaxy (presumably) not so far away, a bunch of a-holes flew into theatres and into our collective hearts (naww…). Touted as Marvel Studios’ very own Star Wars, Guardians Of The Galaxy was a fantastically fun, boisterous adventure that put a light-hearted twist on the CBM genre. It's a space opera masquerading as a superhero movie, blessed with a witty script and irresistibly likeable characters, and ranks as one of the best sci-fi movies in recent memory.
So how does it link back to Star Wars? Disney. It’s hard to believe it now, but when word first broke of Disney’s takeover of Lucasfilm, the response wasn’t all that positive. Some fans felt they would ‘Disneyfy’ the franchise with commercialism and more family friendly vibes, while tongue-in-cheek images of a lightsaber-wielding Mickey Mouse ruled the Internet for weeks on end. Three years later, that takeover looks pretty sound, and Guardians did a lot to quell the fanboy’s fears.
Honorable Mentions
There were a few sci-fi picks that almost made this list. If you’re still unfamiliar with Abrams’ talent as a writer and director, check out Super 8, a heart-warming ode to Spielberg’s ET and classic monster movies. It might not be a ‘movie’, but his two-part opening to Lost is also still one of the best Pilot’s ever made. It’d also be wrong not to mention Joss Whedon’s Firefly/Serenity – the space-set adventure that Star Wars fans truly deserved instead of the prequels.
If you’re scouting out the rest of the cast & crew’s talent outside of the sci-fi genre, you should start with Inside Llewyn Davis - another great showcase of Oscar Isaac’s immense talent that also ironically features he and Adam Driver singing about going into outer space. Driver himself had a remarkably sinister role in Noah Baumbach's indie comedy While We’re Young earlier this year – you can see shades of Kylo Ren is his fanatic and scheming character.
Special mention should go to the ladies of TFA, who have all yet to star in a sci-fi movie this early on in their promising careers. Gwendoline Christie is still a fan favorite face around these parts, thanks to her role as Brienne Of Tarth on Game Of Thrones. There’s a reason why future Maz Kanata Lupita Nyong’o won the Oscar for the traumatic 12 Years A Slave, and finally I dare everyone to go check out Daisy Ridley’s collection of interviews and tell me she’s not the most likeable lead ever.
Those are my suggestions, what do you think? Chances are you've seen them all - but can you think of any worthy additions? As always, be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below!