Comments on: Utopian/Dystopian Sci Fi Films

By: Don

Don — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 01:22:20 +0000

Here’s a question. A movie who’s title I can not remember, but am desperately trying to find. From the 70’s, about a group of people, facing a lizard race, and using arrows that exploded into light. It seems like it was a rip off of the “war of power” series of books, but i can’t remember enough of the movie now to say that for sure. If anyone remembers what it’s title was, please let me know. Ty

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:27:46 +0000

Freejack, I dont see it on the list

By: Paul Beck

Paul Beck — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:43:27 +0000

Not exactly a movie, but the BBC just recently produced a 2 part drama of John Wyndham’s “Day of the Triffids”

By: Goblin

Goblin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:01:37 +0000

And this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAQ:_Frequently_Asked_Questions

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:56:23 +0000

Useful – but I think you miss equilibrium’s point: it’s a homage/collage of THREE classic dystopias – brave new world (drugs), 1984 (big brother) and Farenheit 451 (the book-burning Firemen). You don’t have to like it, and it may be, stylistically, a matrix rip-off, but the underlying project is sound.

One more point – you dichotomise utopia/dystopia. Can I suggest thinking about it in a more complex manner? This is a 4-way typology, defined by authorial intent:

Utopia – an attempt to build a perfect society
Modern Dystopia – i.e. 1984 characterised by totalitarian regimes (however ‘nice’ they may be as in Brave New World)
Postmodern Dystopia – i.e. Akira or Children of Men or Blade Runner characterised by social, environmental or even physical breakdown (i.e. Tetsuo in Akira) rather than oppressive regimes
Anti-Dystopia – i.e. Lathe of Heaven demonstrating the inbuilt flaws in a Utopian project

Solaris is the tough one to place: this is about ‘the other’, like Alien/Aliens, but ulimately we learn more about people than aliens in these movies… So I’d suggest these are also postmodern dystopias…

Does this help I wonder?

In any case, if you’ve got the stomach for it read Fredric Jameson’s “Archeologies of the future: The Desire CAlled Utopia and Other Science Fictions”. I couldn’t make head nor tail out of it but it was still somehow a great read!

By: Sami

Sami — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:50:21 +0000

You forgot about Solaris. That movie should be ranked high on your list. Gasss is another one. This movie defines an end of a utopic era. Some could say its as ridiculous as Idiocracy but even that movie sends a powerful message of our time.
Like the list though

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:54:45 +0000

If you havent seen Total Recall youre in for some mixed emotions. There are some fascinating elements in this movie that sadly arent played out very intelligently. But, in the end its still pretty enjoyable.

BUT the Fifth Element.. Masterpiece.. In my opinion, as a HUGE fan of Science Fiction (have seen most every film on this page), The Fifth Element is just a brilliantly filmed movie. It never takes itself too seriously, but never leans toward campy, never pompous about its message, just simply entertaining from start to finish.. You must watch it, i have seen it well over 50 times.

By: joe

joe — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:21:10 +0000

best list i have seen

By: Dany

Dany — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:11:02 +0000

i’ve just found this site by chance. my personal list would be a bit different but all in all: very good work! i couldn’t have described those films better!

here is a list of film that are not included in your list but that i consider to be dystopian:

- avalon (a society where everyone plays a video game. the end is very unexpected and makes you think)
- casshern (an asian movie. sadly too much action and fight. but the idea is definately dystopian)
- dune (maybe more of science-fiction but it also includes dystopian aspects)
- I, robot (maybe you didn’t put it on your list because there are robots. but i think this film is one of the best examples of a dystopian movie! as well as AI and to remind you, you included blade runner although there are replicants which are quite similar to robots)
- the nine lives of tomas katz (very great film. mindfuck. there is an alien which can morph into every human it meets. plus it describes brilliantly a dystopian society)
- the truman show (it’s more a drama/comedy but there are certain dystopian/utopian aspects)

By: Candy

Candy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:58:19 +0000

wow… alot of films i don’t know, but a lot, that i know and in some rates, i agree.

gattaca. it was my first distopian film i’ve seen – and still one of the best films i know.

but you’ve to upgrade metropolis on #1. about 70%, sorry, i mean nearly 100% of all the distopian films are based on that early legend of that film genre.

wall-e in a distopian film list? its the second list i know, that rates wall e in this genre. the first list is my one ;) without that childish animation and lovestory shit, perhaps with real artists, it could be one of my favorite distopic films…

whats about I, robot?? thats 100% distopian. a monopoly coporation tries to rule the world.

however, this comment could be as long as the credits of all this films together. nice to find a fellow. watch out my webpage on german wikipedia.

By: Emma

Emma — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:27:30 +0000

I dont see how yu can rate Equilibrium so low, it is a really good film. I know its not the best ever but i love it. Also The Fifth Element is excellent lol

By: ericmsteen

ericmsteen — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:55:50 +0000

yeah, equilibrium is on there, but i really didn’t like the movie so i ranked it low…

By: Frost

Frost — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:12:12 +0000

Equilibrium would be a great addition to this list.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:43:28 +0000

Ok, if I can think of anymore I’ll list some. I agree on Logan’s Run, hasn’t held up in time? Sometimes I think the lack of CGI and all the special effects adds a quality of charm to the film. I don’t know some people can’t get past the special effects angle to get to the heart of the story, which is the story. Anyway, nice little blog you got here. Oh, another movie I just thought of or two actually:

Terminator (how do you think it fits in here?)

Judge Dredd (from the Brit comic)

Damnation Alley (the effects are pretty cheesey, but you might want to check it out if you’re into this sort of thing)

By: ericmsteen

ericmsteen — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:23:30 +0000

thanks for the list. i have put many of these on my queue. i couldn’t find some…like futureworld.

as far as others. The original planet of the apes I think is great but I’m not putting it in dystopian/utopian scifi. i think it fits more under post-apocalyptic.
Also, for A Clockwork Orange, I just didn’t think it belonged in sci fi…

thanks, if you think of more let me know.