The enormous impact of science fiction cinema on popular culture has completely shaped our world. From the ground breaking visuals in The Matrix, to the genre and generation defining moments in Star Wars, one is easily able to comprehend the larger than life experiences of science fiction cinema.

There are many top lists out there, of the greatest science fiction films ever made. These were the films which completely took over our lives, our appearances (read Star Wars dress up parties) and the way we witness our own reality (The Matrix). Whenever one reminisces about one’s younger years and which films made the greatest impact on one’s life, one is usually caught up in some of those beautiful, jaw-dropping and life changing moments which will never, ever be forgotten. We take a look at 3 science fiction film moments which completely redefined the status quo set by films such as Star Wars, Star Trek, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner. These films did not just change the way we watched movies, but changed the way we lived.

#3: LA JETEE (THE JETTY)

You are most probably scratching your head and staring at the screen, thinking whether you read the title correctly. Why would I include this unknown film into such a momentous list? Easy. La Jetee was one of the first experimental science fiction films ever made. It was released in 1962 and runs for approximately 28 minutes. The entire film is a photo montage of varying speeds. The plot is simplistic and plays off in a post nuclear war time travel experiment. It had a massive influence on modern day science fiction cinema, such as 12 Monkeys. The final few “scenes” in La Jetee still reverberate throughout my sub-conscious since I watched this film as a child. La Jatee did not merely accentuate the beauty of French science fiction, but it also gave me a lifelong obsession with time travel and quantum physics.

The Best Moment: All 28 minutes. Every minute is as important as the rest and it has to be watched in its’ entirety. If you do a quick Google search, you’ll easily find legal, archive sites where this film can be watched online. It is an absolute must see!

Interesting Fact: In 2010, Time Magazine ranked La Jetee first in its’ list of top 10 time travel movies of all time.

#2: AVATAR

James Cameron became listless after the record breaking and trailblazing magnum opus that was Titanic. What does a filthy rich, Kubrick-esque director do when he becomes bored? He breaks his own cinematic records by making a film about blue people and exhales into this a social commentary which causes people to commit suicide from the overwhelming beauty. Really, suicide? Yes. This is one of the first times since William Friedkin’s horror masterpiece The Exorcist where audiences have been so affected by the film, that their lives changed forever. It became the first film to gross over $2 billion worldwide and currently holds the top spot as the highest grossing film ever made, having surpassed Titanic, which held the top spot for 12 years. James Cameron is quoted as saying, “I took every science fiction book I ever read and put it all into one.”

The Best Moment: Injured Jake Scully (Sam Worthington) links up to his artificial avatar and runs free in the world of the Na’Vi. James Cameron now runs free in the world of 3D cinema, which he revolutionized.

Interesting Fact: “James Cameron originally attempted to get this film made in 1999 as his immediate follow-up to Titanic (1997). However, at the time, the special effects he wanted for the movie ran the proposed budget up to $400 million. No studio would fund the film, and it was subsequently shelved for almost ten years.” Avatar Wiki Fun Facts

#1: THE MATRIX

The Matrix made Keanu Reeves an overnight superhero. It went beyond the boundaries of cinema and bled into every facet of world pop culture. Audiences were enslaved by the philosophical plot, the long leather jacket Neo donned and the groundbreaking visual and cinematic effects. Critics lauded the film as “the Star Wars of a new generation” and The Matrix reached over $463 million in worldwide box office totals. The influences of dystopian culture, spaghetti westerns and a well played out “brain in vat” thought experiment on The Matrix completely revolutionized modern cinema, forever. Larry and Andy Wachowski (writers and directors) became the heroes of billions of science fiction fans around the world.

The Best Moment: When bullets fly past an awkwardly bent and slow motion Keanu Reeves. This moment was emulated and parodied for years after the initial release of the film, but it never again achieved this moment of wondrous cinematic brilliance.

Interesting Fact: Keanu Reeves was paid $10 million for his role in the first Matrix film.

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS (THROUGHOUT THE DECADES)

Metropolis (1927)

The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)

Solaris (1972)

Sleeper (1973)

The Fly (1986)

The Abyss (1988)

Delicatessen (1991)

The Fountain (2006)

Children Of Men (2006)

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