Do you love sci-fi movies? Then you absolutely can’t miss these 7 modern classics.
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Iron Man (2008)
Robert Downey Jr. and director Jon Favreau are not only responsible for a great sci-fi movie, they also single handedly launched the biggest film franchise of all time. While it’s hard to believe it now, most people thought an Iron Man film was a terrible idea, and that the character wouldn’t connect with mainstream audiences. Well over two billion dollars later, I think it’s safe to say that Marvel’s Avengers franchise got off to a healthy start.
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Star Trek (2009)
It might not be the most “significant” entry on the list, but J.J. Abrams successful revitalization of the waning franchise is noteworthy in and of itself. That’s not to say that the film is lacking however. The energetic and action-packed reboot features a perfect ensemble cast, some fun call-backs to classic Star Trek, and overall provides a perfect introduction for future stories in this fresh, new universe.
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District 9 (2009)
Shot on a measly $30-million dollar budget, director Neill Blomkamp proved that you can do mega-blockbuster visual effects at a fraction of the cost. The film shows an alternate history where a massive alien starship appeared in the skies over Johannesburg, South Africa in 1982. Instead of benevolent ambassadors from the stars or bloodthirsty invaders, an investigation teams finds the ship populated with starving, sickly prawn-like aliens. They’re soon shuffled into internment camps, where they’re treated as second class citizens.
The real-world parallels are obvious, but Blomkamp manages to craft a story that isn’t too wrapped up in its message. It’s a film worth exploring, but also one that can be enjoyed just as a fun sci-fi action-adventure.
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Children of Men (2006)
The 2006 dystopian sci-fi drama is quite possibly the best film of director Alfonso Cuaron’s career. The film sees a future where two decades of human infertility has caused massive instability around the world. Clive Owen plays Theo Faron, an everyman who finds himself protecting a refugee, a refugee who happens to be the first pregnant woman in over twenty years.
With a compelling setting, great acting, and absolutely mind-blowing cinematography, Children of Men might not be an especially fun film, but it’s definitely worth experiencing.
