2014 has been another great year for the science fiction genre as we have been treated to some wonderful movies, from big budget spectacles to low budget treats. Once again, sci-fi has been one of the strongest film genres of the year, and I have loved seeing such a rich series of movies.
Interstellar
The year is now coming to a close and it is time to look back on some of the standout science fiction films… which movies have you been enjoying? Sci-fi films are always popular in the FemaleFirst office, and we take a look at some of the movies that really stood out for us over the last twelve months.
- Interstellar
If there was one sci-fi film that everyone was talking about in 2014, it was Interstellar as Christopher Nolan returned to the director's chair for the first time since the success of The Dark Knight Rises back in the summer of 2012. Needless to say, it was one of the most anticipated directorial returns of the year. I have always been a big fan of Nolan and it is always tremendously exciting when a movie of his is on the horizon.
Interstellar followed a team of astronauts and explorers who are sent on the most important mission in human history - to travel beyond the galaxy to find another planet that could sustain human life. Matthew McConaughey took on the central role as he teamed up with Nolan for the first time. Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, and Casey Affleck were just some of the other names that made up a very impressive cast list.
First and foremost, Interstellar is one of the most beautiful movies to hit the big screen this year; it is epic and grand as well as being just stunning. Nolan has always had a knack of getting the look of a film just right, and with Interstellar, he has done it again.
While the movie looks fantastic, Nolan has but a very human story at its heart and it is this that really packs the punch. It is a story about a family that has been pulled apart and McConaughey and Chastain shine as father and daughter; Chastain in particular is just spectacular.
Interstellar is a complex and moving story that is colossal and personal all at the same time. This really is a remarkable achievement in filmmaking and Nolan is one of very few directors that could have pulled this off.
- Under The Skin
It has been a mix of blockbuster movies and smaller film projects for Scarlett Johansson this year, and Under The Skin is a film that had many critics raving when it hit the big screen back in March. The movie saw her team up with filmmaker Jonathan Glazer for the adaptation of the Michel Faber novel. This was the first film for Glazer since Birth back in 2004.
Under The Skin was unlike any other sci-fi film that we have seen this year, as it was both distinctive and compelling with Johansson on top form. The movie follows Johansson's character, an alien in human form on a journey through Scotland and seducing lonely men.
Under The Skin really is a terrific character piece that looks at our world through the eyes of an alien - I have to say that I was intrigued from start to finish. Johansson is just beguiling in the central role as she gives a performance that we have never seen from her before.
This is not a mainstream science fiction film and so will alienate some fans of this genre. However, it is a bold movie and I really do wish that more directors would take such a risk - for Glazer it really has been worthwhile.
Under The Skin is an atmospheric and claustrophobic movie that is powerful and packed with some incredibly provoking ideas and themes that Glazer explored beautifully.
- Edge of Tomorrow
We haven't seen too much of Tom Cruise on the big screen this year, but he did enjoy success with sci-fi blockbuster Edge of Tomorrow at the beginning of the summer. The movie saw Doug Liman in the director's chair as he teamed up with Cruise and Emily Blunt for the very first time.
Edge of Tomorrow follows Major William Cage, who is killed within minutes in an assault against and alien race. Thrown into a time loop he is forced to live the same day over and over. This really is the science fiction version of Groundhog Day and it is a movie that is action packed and a whole lot of fun.
This really is a smart move that takes you on a wild ride and is packed with some impressive special effects. One thing I was not expecting was the level of humour as there are some great comedic moments that elevate the film even further.
This is the first film for Cruise since Oblivion in 2012, and he still makes a great action hero and a terrific leading man. Thrown in a strong, powerful and very feisty performance from Blunt and they really do make a great team. This is not the kind of movie that we are use to seeing Blunt star in, and it is great to see her take on more of an action role.
Edge of Tomorrow is exactly what you expect from a summer blockbuster, intelligent, action packed, full of interesting characters and doesn't outstay its welcome. That is exactly what Liman delivers with this movie and it really is a great piece of entertaining sci-fi.
- The Machine
The Machine was one of the sci-fi films that went under the radar this year, and yet it really was a great watch that proved that you don't need a humongous budget to make a clever and exciting film in this genre.
The Machine was just the second feature film for director Caradog W. James and was set in Britain in a Cold War with a new enemy, where the Ministry of defence is on the brink of developing a game-changing weapon. Lead scientist Vincent McCarthy (Stephens) provides the answer with his creation, 'The Machine'- an android with unrivalled physical and processing skills. When a programming glitch causes an early prototype to destroy his lab, McCarthy enlists artificial intelligence expert Ava (Caity Lotz) to help him harness the full potential of a truly conscious fighting machine.
I love the feeling of dread that James has hanging over every frame of this movie - there is an incredibly claustrophobic to the lab that McCarthy works in and it really does feel like there is danger and deceit around every corner.
However, The Machine really is a sci-fi film of some substance, as it tackles some really interesting themes; do machines have the ability to become human? The movie focuses in on the major technological developments that have taken place - giving the film a very contemporary feel - and if these developments could be taken a step further. It explores the idea of building machine 'soldiers' that could take the place of humans in a war zone; which is an interesting concept in itself.
Despite its small budget, The Machine is an ambitious project and, for the whole, it really does pull it off. The story is intriguing, compelling and incredibly slick, while the visual effects are great and there are some terrific central performances. If this is a sci-fi film that you have missed this year then I urge you to check it out, as you will not be disappointed.
- Lucy
We have already looked at one Scarlett Johansson science fiction film with Under The Skin, but she returned in the summer with Lucy. The movie was written and directed by Luc Besson and was one of the sleeper hits of the summer - not to mention a breath of fresh air from all of the big budget blockbusters.
Lucy is an action-thriller that tracks a woman accidentally caught in a dark deal who turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic. I have to say, that the end of the movie does go a little silly and over the top, but the rest of the film really is a terrific romp.
Besson has a history of bringing strong female characters to the big screen and he has done it once again with the central character of Lucy. Johansson delivers a badass central performance as a woman who is not afraid to kick a little butt to get what she wants and survive.
This is a terrifically entertaining movie that is fast paced and doesn't outstay its welcome - plus, it is completely different to any other sci-fi that we have seen this year. Johansson really is a great leading lady as she has such a presence and really draws the audience into Lucy's plight. This is one of the most entertaining movies that Besson has made in quite some time, and it really is a great ride.
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