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Lunch » People » Count_Orlok_22 » Lists » Science Fiction Films As Allegory: Top 50, Part 1

Science Fiction Films As Allegory: Top 50, Part 1

Feb 4, 2010

by Count_Orlok_22
posted in Movie Hype

The idea of using science fiction as an allegory for deeper issues has been around for quite a while. Whether taking a stand against racism, social and political conformity, totalitarianism, or industrialization, science fiction has provided the world with some of the best cautionary tales about the future of humanity gone wrong. So, prepare to enter a world where your identity and the fate of the human race may be endangered...

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

The perfect science fiction film. It tells the story of a small American town being infiltrated by aliens who take the form of people and replace them with alien duplicates as they sleep. This film has been seen as both a critique of McCarthyism and the anti-Communist paranoia of the '50s, but also as an attack on the Soviet Union's conformity and subversive tactics.

The Matrix

Perhaps one of the most groundbreaking science fiction / action films ever. A man discovers that the world he lives in is a complex and expansive computer simulation and that all the people in it are being preyed upon by machines for their mechanical nourishment.
See the full review, "Simulation and Simulacrum".

12 Monkeys

Terry Gilliam's film about a man sent back in time to stop a deadly virus from being unleashed, but is in fact being manipulated in order to ensure it.
See the full review, "Beware the Army of the 12 Monkeys".

Metropolis (Kino on Video's Restored Authorized Edition DVD)

Fritz Lang's silent film about a future society that has been divided into two groups... the wealthy who live in skyscrapers and the poor who live and work in underground factories. Still stunning, even if dated.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951 film)

A classic sci-fi B-film about an alien messenger coming to our planet to warn us of the destructive power of our own weapons. The film can be interpreted in a number of different ways, as an anti-war film or as a film for totalitarian control.

THX 1138

A film about an underground conformist society, policed by robots, where emotions are outlawed . Lucas' first film.
See the full review, "A Stark Vision of a Future Where Love Is the Ultimate Crime".

Godzilla (Gojira)

The original classic Japanese film that uses the idea of a mutant dinosaur as an allegory for the destructive power of atomic warfare. Although the series lost its powerful message in the many, many later installments, this original is still great.

A Scanner Darkly

A terrific rotoscoped animated film that features great performances. Takes place in the near future where the war against drugs has become so convoluted that paranoia and deception are the norm.
See the full review, "An Addictive Thriller".

Watchmen (2009 film)

A film adaptation of the graphic novel about an alternate history where superheroes exist and how that may not be a good thing for the free world.
See the full review, ""Who Watches the Watchmen?"".

X-Men (2000 film)

The 2000 film, which was based on the comics, tells the story of mutants who struggle to achieve equality with human beings while protecting them from mutant extremists. Misplaces many of the characters and themes of the comics, but still manages to be a powerful and exciting film.

Enemy Mine

A science fiction update on the classic Civil War tale about a slave who befriends a Confederate soldier. In this film, a human fighter pilot finds himself reluctantly trapped on a hostile planet with an alien enemy. Although, the film hasn't aged particularly well, the message is as relevant as ever.

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woopak_the_thrill February 09, 2010

nice list! Good thing I only haven't seen one movie--# 18, but I do have the dvd LOL!

Count_Orlok_22 February 09, 2010

If you're not a fan of Gilliam or weird British humor, you probably won't care for it. I love the ending though. Pretty dark.

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QUEENBFLIX February 05, 2010

28 DAYS LATER is clearly a horror film.

QUEENBFLIX February 05, 2010

What about SUNSHINE? I guess it's not allegorical, but at least it's science fiction.

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Count_Orlok_22 February 05, 2010

"28 Days Later" is a sci-fi / horror film since the origin of the zombies was a man-made virus, ergo zombies created by scientific means. It's a genre hybrid. One could also say that it is part action film too.

QUEENBFLIX February 05, 2010

Big deal science origin. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD has one too-it came to eart as part of a space probe, Is that science fiction too? They run from zombies, sso that makes it an action flick? It's horror.

Count_Orlok_22 February 05, 2010

The horror in both "28 Days Later" and "Night of the Living Dead" comes from the gore and the fact that much of both films takes place at night, which adds to the atmosphere. And yes, the fact that the space probe caused the creation of the zombies does not mean that it's sci-fi, however, because that explanation was very brief and not elaborated upon. Had it been important to the plot then yes, it would be sci-fi. In "28 Days Later", it was an essential element of the plot. Mankind wipes itself out trying to create bio-chemical weapons.

QUEENBFLIX February 06, 2010

Oh );-P. 3% IS MAX IS SPENT OF THAT SILLY PSEUDO-SCIENTIC EXPLANATION and the rest is spent on running from zombies who rip out your guts and eat you. it's horror.

Count_Orlok_22 February 06, 2010

So, are you agreeing with me... for some reason I can't tell with you.

QUEENBFLIX February 07, 2010

Let's put it a little less obliquely then. No I'm not agreeing with you. It's a zombie flick with a minor set up that has no more science fiction to it that NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD did..

Count_Orlok_22 February 09, 2010

So, let's just leave at we disagree about what films belong to what genres... now, let's hug and pretend this little argument never took place. : )

QUEENBFLIX February 09, 2010

I've never taken "arguments" personally--everyone suggested I become a lawyer because to me it's just part of a reasonable discussion, nothing to do with fighting and definitely nothing personal. If I ever get personal, you'll know it!

Count_Orlok_22 February 09, 2010

Sounds fun. Can't wait. : P

QUEENBFLIX February 10, 2010

It won't be fun. But you'll have to wait a VERY long time because we'll never be getting to that point. ;-)

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Sean_Rhodes February 05, 2010

I don't think Metropolis is dated at all. It's OLD but man that's truly a movie that speaks about the Silent Movie era. It's still awesome to me now and it's one of my favorite movies out there. I may have to watch some of these again.

Count_Orlok_22 February 05, 2010

A lot of critics back in 1927 felt that it was dated then. You should read H. G. Wells scathing review. The man was a brilliant author, but a total grump.

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