Entertainment Weekly asks the question Is Sci-Fi Out of Ideas? and proceeds to answer with a resounding yes! While Science Fiction movies like the Beast from 20,000 Fathoms-inspired Cloverfield and zombie-infested I Am Legend are doing ok, the article laments the dearth of new material.
Most science-fiction movies are based on recycled, decades-old works, where the mother lodes of original content panned-out long ago. Star Trek XI is a case in point where the title says it all…ie version number 11.
The death of science fiction is perhaps an artifact of being in a post-industrial, post-literary, non-narrative, postmodern environment wherein science has outrun its poorer cousins art and philosophy, thus stilling writers’ pens. Or maybe the immediacy of modern communication has erased the buffer of white-space that separated sensation from intellect, leaving only the former. Nah, it’s probably just that the use of original works of literature by Hollywood brings few rewards in the area of co-marketing synergy…
…we at G-M welcome our new post-literary overlords, and look forward to “Dragonball,” a live-action semi-science-fictional film (expected in Aug of 2008) adaptation of the very popular Japanese franchise consisting of a manga series, some anime, 17 animated feature films, trading cards, some electronic games plus several action-figure collectibles. We of course plan to watch the film on our new Blu-ray player and use its Profile 2 internet-connection features to order some T-shirts and reserve tickets to the no-doubt-soon-to-be-built theme park of the same name.
Is Sci-Fi Out of Ideas? – EW.com, Jan 11, 2008
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been a sci-fi fan for over 30 years and I believe the gendre of Sci-Fi is in decline generally. Most of what is in the book shelves these days is Fantasy. This reflects the “dumbing down” of the modern media, the shift away from values of reason and logic, the loss of a sense of wonder and idealism, the blaming of science for our troubles today.
There are however a host of untapped science idea’s – AC Clark’s “Rendezvous with Rama”, Algis Budry’s “Rogue Moon”, etc etc. What about the wonderful touching funny Politically incorrect work of Frederick Brown’s short stories.
When I watch “I am Legend” and I remember the scope and vision of books like “Earth Abides” I cant help but feel that something quintessential is sacrificed to the silly plot and the special effect. I yearn for something adult to get to the screen, something that moves me. something that makes me ask questions, something that challenges the bland modernity and conformancy of the modern world, something that rekindles the “excitement for possibility”. I must be getting old!
I bet there’s a great science fiction movie to be made on the topic of the immediacy of modern communication.
I think this year’s “Super 8″ was a step in the right direction.