Sci-fi movies have always been the pinnacle of cinema. Many of these films have become classics, enjoyed for decades by fans of all ages. Without a doubt, 2015 was a great year for sci-fi films, from big blockbusters to low budget films buzzing with creativity.
Some of the most eagerly awaited sci-fi films were “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, “The Martian”, “Ex Machina”, “Jurassic World” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron”. These films have captivated audiences around the world, becoming some of the highest grossing movies of all time. Many critics have praised the stories, characters, visual effects and daring innovation of these films.
However, there have been some criticisms from audience members and experts alike. The use of CGI has sometimes been too heavy, creating a lack of realism in some scenes. Additionally, the use of clichés and human-like machines has provoked some fans. Some of the storylines used in these films have been seen in other movies, creating a certain lack of originality.
Nevertheless, the visual effects in these films are truly astounding and often jaw dropping. They make these movies enjoyable and enhance the entire experience. For example, in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, a scene were two ships fly through a huge waterfall on an alien planet is simply breathtaking. In “The Martian”, a sandstorm on the surface of Mars is riveting.
In addition, some independent sci-fi films have been released this year and made quite a splash. Amongst others, “The Lobster”, “Turbo Kid”, “Coherence”, “Time Lapse”, “The Voices” and “Locke” have been widely acclaimed. These films offer a different kind of sci-fi movie experience, often relying heavily on the performances rather than the visual effects.
Overall, 2015 has been a great year for sci-fi films and there’s still much more to come. Whether you’re looking for big blockbusters, independent films or a combination of both, there really is something for everyone.
Themes
Sci-fi films don’t just exist to tell a story, they also explore themes and ideas. From the somewhat abstract philosophical and spiritual musings of ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Ex Machina’ to thought-provoking social commentaries in ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘A.I: Artificial Intelligence’, sci-fi movies often discuss the big questions of life. In 2015, a popular theme was humanity’s relationship with technology and its implications for the future.
For example, in ‘The Martian’, the main character must rely heavily on his wit and technological resources in order to survive 140 million miles away from home. In ‘Ex Machina’, a recurring theme is artificial intelligence and its effects on human behaviour. In ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, the use of technology as a weapon is explored, with the ongoing destruction of digital technology proving especially dangerous.
These movies pose interesting questions and ideas, which stimulate the viewer’s imagination and expand the sci-fi genre. They make us think about the world around us and how technology and humanity interact, adding an extra layer of entertainment.
Music
The music in a sci-fi movie often has a crucial impact on the audience’s experience. It can be a crucial component in creating tension, emphasising certain scenes or adding emotion. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that in 2015, many sci-fi movies featured exceptional music.
For example, in ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2’, classical pieces from Beethoven and Tchaikovsky are used to great effect. In ‘Jurassic World’, orchestral string arrangements are used to add depth to some of the movie’s key moments. Hans Zimmer’s score for ‘Interstellar’ is a perfect example of how music can evoke emotion and add to a film’s atmosphere.
At other times, the music can be subtle and used to create tension. Humming, buzzing, beeping and clicking sounds emerge during certain scenes, helping to build suspense and drawing the viewer into the story. This kind of use of sound is often used to great effect in ‘Ex Machina’, a movie set in a near future world. Ultimately, the music in a sci-fi movie always adds something special and can make or break a scene.
Audience Responses
The popularity of sci-fi genre has grown exponentially in recent years, with millions of viewers worldwide enjoying sci-fi movies on a regular basis. In 2015, many of these viewers shared their opinions and experiences online, creating a network of anticipation and excitement.
Thanks to social media and online websites devoted to sci-fi discussion, viewers had the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings on all of the year’s biggest movies. For example, ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ saw thousands of viewers posting their impressions on sites such as Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook, resulting in an outpouring of delight and praise.
However, some viewers saw the sci-fi genre as stale and outdated, and expressed these opinions in their reviews. Such reviews have inevitably been attacked by other viewers, resulting in interesting and lively debates over the years. Audience responses for 2015’s biggest movies have been largely positive, with social media helping to spread the word about fan favourites.
Special Effects
Sci-fi movies have always pushed the boundaries of movie making, often relying heavily on special effects to create the incredible settings and universes often seen on the big screen. In 2015, many of the biggest sci-fi movies featured some of the most impressive special effects seen in years.
One of the stand outs was ‘Jurassic World’, a movie that relied heavily on computer generated imagery. The dinosaurs in the movie look almost lifelike and their animations are spot on. Similarly, ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ features some stunning visual effects, especially the space battles which invoke a sense of awe.
Many of these movies also feature complex stunts and wire work. For example, in ‘The Avengers: Age of Ultron’, the action scenes are pulled off with great skill and drew cheers from audience members. Movie makers have come a long way in creating believable and awe-inducing special effects, and 2015 saw some of the best.
Writing & Direction
Lots of time, effort and creativity goes into creating a sci-fi movie. From the script to the production, many different elements must come together to create a story. In 2015, some of the best scripts and directing were seen in the biggest sci-fi movies, with some of the year’s biggest directors working on them.
Director J.J. Abrams’ effort in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ was praised by both audiences and critics alike. His intriguing story telling, captivating camera work and complete dedication to making this movie a success ushered in a new era for the Star Wars franchise. Similarly, Ridley Scott’s ‘The Martian’ was widely acclaimed for its clever script and direction and has since become one of the year’s biggest box office successes.
However, the biggest success story of the year comes from independent moviemakers bringing exciting and unique stories to the big screen. For example, Alex Garland’s ‘Ex Machina’ features an intriguing and thought provoking script, a multitude of exciting plot devices and is an all-round amazing film. The fact that this movie was made on a fraction of the budget of the year’s biggest movies goes to show what can be achieved with creativity and good writing.
Conclusion
2015 was a great year for sci-fi movies, with blockbusters and indie projects alike delivering stunning visuals, captivating stories and emotional moments. From the stunning special effects and stunning music, to the insightful themes and powerful writing, this has been a great year for sci-fi fans.
