Revisiting the Best Sci-Fi Movies of 2021
Science fiction has been around for decades, giving audiences a unique glimpse into the future. As technology advances, movies depicting our wildest dreams become ever-more realistic. Science fiction provides a unique escape to a world of possibilities and develops unique ways to look at our present day reality. This year, we’ve seen some amazing science fiction movies that have captivated our imaginations and taken us to places no one has gone before. Here are some of the must-see sci-fi movies of 2021.
The Matrix
The Matrix is a classic sci-fi movie with a cult-like following. Released in 1999, it stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer programmer who discovers a secret world controlled by machines. In a world filled with dark, artificial intelligence out to enslave the human race, Neo is tasked with saving humanity from its own creation.
The Matrix is praised for its original concepts, special effects and its realistic representation of a dystopian world filled with mind-bending scenes and thrilling action sequences. With references to philosophical ideas, it’s easy to see why this movie is an all-time favorite.
The Matrix is thought provoking, yet entertaining. It’s a must-see sci-fi movie for 2021.
Blade Runner 2049
Blade Runner 2049 is the sequel to the 1982 classic Blade Runner. In 2021, an impressive cast including Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas and Ryan Gosling take the lead in this epic sci-fi drama.
The storyline follows a new Blade Runner (Gosling) who discovers a long-buried secret that could plunge what’s left of society into chaos. He sets out on a quest to find Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard, who has been missing for 30 years.
The movie has breathtaking visuals and a captivating soundtrack that make it hard to take your eyes off the screen. Blade Runner 2049 is the perfect mix of action, drama, and suspense – a must-see movi for sci-fi fans everywhere.
Arrival
Arrival is an American sci-fi drama released in 2016 that stars Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner. When mysterious alien craft arrive on earth, a brilliant linguist is hired to decode their language. She must work to unlock their secrets and uncover the mystery of their purpose on Earth.
This movie is a classic sci-fi story that stimulates the imagination and deepens the intrigue. Its plot has been described as “cerebral” and “ philosophical”, adding intellectual layers to the narrative. The movie also features powerful emotional moments and practical effects that make the sci-fi world believable.
Arrival is a must-see film for any fan of science fiction movies.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Released in 2004, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a thoughtful sci-fi movie starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. When two former lovers decide to erase each other from their memories, they must travel through a surreal and mind-bending journey that challenges the power of love.
This movie is praised for its fascinating visuals, incisive performances and moving plot. Eternally Sunshine is a thoughtful examination of relationships and the human memory, and is a must-watch for sci-fi fans who want stories with a little more depth and emotion.
Ex Machina
Ex Machina is a 2015 science fiction film, starring Alicia Vikander as AVA, an artificial intelligent robot. In an experiment where Caleb, a computer programmer is invited to spend a week with AVA, he quickly finds out that her behaviour is unpredictable and that she is hiding secrets of her own.
Ex Machina is a complex sci-fi movie with a fascinating story. It combines gripping tension, thought-provoking questions and incredible visuals. Its exploration of artificial intelligence and its ethical implications adds complexity to the narrative and makes it a warning tale for the future.
Ex Machina is a must-see scifi movie for any fan of the genre.
The Martian
The Martian is a dramatic science fiction movie, released in 2015. It stars Matt Damon as Mark Watney, an astronaut stranded on Mars. Watney must use his scientific knowledge and resilience to survive the harsh environment and make it back home to Earth.
The Martian uses its science fiction setting to tell a uniquely human story. It’s an inspiring tale of human courage and determination, with moments of humour and suspense thrown in. Its combination of science and humanity, intriguing visuals and intense pacing makes this a must-see film for sci-fi fans.
Pacific Rim: Uprising
Pacific Rim: Uprising is the sequel to the 2013 hit Pacific Rim. Released in 2018, it stars John Boyega and Scott Eastwood as two of Earth’s greatest defenders. They enlist the help of a towering Jaeger — a powerful fighting machine designed to protect humanity from the deadly Kaiju — as they attempt to save the world from total destruction.
Pacific Rim: Uprising is a thrilling action-packed movie with spectacular visuals and non-stop battles. Its compelling storyline and larger-than-life characters make it a must-see movie.
Technology in Science Fiction Movies
Science fiction movies often explore futuristic technology, showing us something that is either far ahead of where we are in the present day or completely impossible. Many times this technology comes in the form of devices or tools that help humanity in some way, such as the Neural Lace in Simulacra or the Planetary Defence Shield in Oblivion. Other times, these futuristic technologies can be used for more sinister purposes, such as the robots in the Matrix, or the alien technology in Arrival.
In any case, the technology in science fiction movies definitely helps to spark an audience’s curiosity and encourages them to think outside the box. Technology is often used in these films to make the impossible possible, demonstrating the power of the creative process.
Time Travel in Science Fiction Movies
Time travel is a common theme in many science fiction movies, often used to explore alternate universes, past, present and potential futures. This type of movie allows viewers to experience the power of time travel, as the characters jump to different eras or points in history.
Time travel can be used to explore different political and social systems, or simply to provide a thrilling escape from the world we know now. Often times, these movies provide a unique twist on the traditional time travel trope, such as the ever-popular Back to the Future series or Looper.
Artificial Intelligence in Science Fiction Movies
The concept of artificial intelligence has been a fixture in science fiction for decades, often used to examine the implications of technology and the human relationship with machines. Movies such as Ex Machina and A. I. Artificial Intelligence explore artificial intelligence from the perspective of a human character, delving into themes such as the legality of robotics, the sentience of robots, and the power of artificial intelligence to alter the course of events.
Other movies such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, show machines as powerful forces with their own goals and ambitions, often in opposition to the human race. The idea of artificial intelligence in science fiction can also be used to create augmented characters whose physical abilities are far beyond those of human beings.
Robots in Science Fiction Movies
Robots have been depicted in movies since the early days of science fiction, often used as a tool to explore the human condition or to depict a dystopian future controlled by machines. The Terminator series is a classic example of this trope, depicting a world where robots take over and humans struggle against the machines.
Robots also provide a unique challenge for protagonists in a movie, as they confront the dilemma of overpowering technology. Blade Runner, I, Robot and Interstellar all feature unique robots, each of which have their own personalities and individual flaws. Robots are a powerful source of metaphors for movies, with the ability to represent both our hope and our fear for the future.
Synthetic Organisms in Science Fiction Movies
Synthetic organisms have been appearing in science fiction movies for some time now, often as a way to explore the ethical implications of bioengineering and cloning. Movies like Blade Runner 2049 and Alien Covenant have used this trope to explore the creation of sentient and sapient life forms.
These movies challenge our perception of what it means to be alive by presenting synthetic organisms as real, living creatures with the same rights, needs and emotions as any other human being.
Synthetic organisms are an interesting way to explore the concept of life and our place in the universe, while providing thought provoking messages about what it means to be human.
