Most underrated SF movies

[davejames]

Signs is another one that doesn't get a lot of love on here, especially because of the controversial ending, but I happen to love every minute of it.

And it might qualify more as horror, but I've always found the Resident Evil films to be a fun guilty pleasure as well.

 

[Reverend]

The ending to 'Signs' wasn't controversial, it was moronic.
But then so's the rest of the movie, it's just sneaky about hiding how dumb it is until the third act.

FREQUENCY was a cool time-travel movie that didn't get enough love.

Yeah, that's one of those I can watch again and again. Probably the most accessible time travel movie since 'Back to the Future', without any *actual* time travel taking place.

 

[davejames]

The ending to 'Signs' wasn't controversial, it was moronic.
But then so's the rest of the movie, it's just sneaky about hiding how dumb it is until the third act.

Well I suppose if you look at it as just a straight scifi film featuring a literal alien invasion, but to me it was always more of a weird and mysterious little Twilight Zone-style parable about this one man's faith, with the aliens being almost beside the point. And it seems pretty obvious that was the main idea M Night was going for with the story as well.

Plus I just find the movie to be creepy and atmospheric as hell.

 

[auntiehill]

The ending to 'Signs' wasn't controversial, it was moronic.
But then so's the rest of the movie, it's just sneaky about hiding how dumb it is until the third act.
.

I with Revered here. "Signs" started out looking like it had potential to do something really interesting, so it held our attention.......until the third act,where we discover, no, it's not interesting or terribly creative. It's nothing but a set-up for ham-fisted, over the top, cornball contrivances. It's not that it's a mediocre sci-fi film, or a mediocre parable. It's a mediocre film.

 

[Reverend]

^I'd say it was all three.

Well I suppose if you look at it as just a straight scifi film featuring a literal alien invasion, but to me it was always more of a weird and mysterious little Twilight Zone-style parable about this one man's faith, with the aliens being almost beside the point. And it seems pretty obvious that was the main idea M Night was going for with the story as well.

Plus I just find the movie to be creepy and atmospheric as hell.

That last point right there is half the problem and it's a symptom of the same issue that seems increasingly evident the further one progresses through MNS's filmography. That is that it thinks is a lot more profound than it really is and 'Signs' is where those cracks really start to show.

Even taking the film in isolation, it just doesn't work. It's all build up to a *really* stupid pay-off. Like insultingly stupid. Compounded somewhat by having the writer/director cameo of the embodiment of sage and profound wisdom. It's still stupid without that, but that's just bordering on arrogance to the point where you're not sure if it's in earnest, or he's taking the piss.

 

[auntiehill]

^ "Insulting stupid" is the PERFECT way to put it.

 

[STEPhon IT]

I thought The 5th Element was an underrated SF film; because when it was released the media did the terrible thing by calling it the STAR WARS of that generation and making comparisons to BLADE RUNNER. The movie was neither those films but it had more than just action and aliens but it was a re-imagining of the story of Jesus I thought.
The story also had scope, and the opera/R&B performance from the alien was interesting. I like SF films which invite and brings new ideas to the table. Mila Jovavich was incredible in the film; she was vulnerable, strong, passionate character, something that was surely lacking in The Force Awakens' Rey Skywalker, who was trying understand her purpose and making a difference to the world.

Bruce Willis was fun in the movie being the reluctant hero and finding a place in LeLu's world. I also think Luc Besson is an outstanding filmmaker; he makes high concept films and this one was a special one. Who haven't seen it, please do, I think you're in for a treat.

 

[Kor]

Sony did a new 4K remastering of The Fifth Element. It looks absolutely outstanding on blu ray.

Kor

 

[JD]

I always liked Strange Days, despite some of it's flaws. Dark City is another; not a perfect film but still had a lot going for it

I just saw those two for the first time a few years ago, and I really enjoyed them both.

FREQUENCY was a cool time-travel movie that didn't get enough love.

I love Frequency. It will be interesting to see what the new TV series does with the concept.

Signs is another one that doesn't get a lot of love on here, especially because of the controversial ending, but I happen to love every minute of it.

I really enjoy Signs. I'm perfectly aware of the whole water thing being kind of stupid, but I still enjoy everything leading up to that.

I thought The 5th Element was an underrated SF film; because when it was released the media did the terrible thing by calling it the STAR WARS of that generation and making comparisons to BLADE RUNNER. The movie was neither those films but it had more than just action and aliens but it was a re-imagining of the story of Jesus I thought.
The story also had scope, and the opera/R&B performance from the alien was interesting. I like SF films which invite and brings new ideas to the table. Mila Jovavich was incredible in the film; she was vulnerable, strong, passionate character, something that was surely lacking in The Force Awakens' Rey Skywalker, who was trying understand her purpose and making a difference to the world.

Bruce Willis was fun in the movie being the reluctant hero and finding a place in LeLu's world. I also think Luc Besson is an outstanding filmmaker; he makes high concept films and this one was a special one. Who haven't seen it, please do, I think you're in for a treat.

I love the 5th Element.
I know it was so close to other movies it got in trouble for plagarism, but I still enjoyed Lockout when I watched it on Netflix a while back.

 

[STEPhon IT]

I love the 5th Element.
I know it was so close to other movies it got in trouble for plagarism, but I still enjoyed Lockout when I watched it on Netflix a while back.

Now why wasn't The Force Awakens in trouble for plagiarism??? It was A New Hope scene for scene and everybody loved it. Of course Disney can't sue themselves but the critics didn't do their jobs. I guess the world doesn't care about trying to make an original story anymore; it's like the number 1 on the McDonald's menu these days.

 

[davejames]

I really enjoy Signs. I'm perfectly aware of the whole water thing being kind of stupid, but I still enjoy everything leading up to that.

Well given the religious overtones it seemed to me that there was likely something in the water that the aliens had a problem with (which is why the girl kept saying all along that it tasted funny), and that it wasn't just the water itself. And that they were reacting to it much like vampires do with holy water.

But whatever. I don't want to turn this into a Signs thread or anything; I was just saying that I think the movie is underrated is all.

 

[Kor]

Now why wasn't The Force Awakens in trouble for plagiarism??? It was A New Hope scene for scene and everybody loved it. Of course Disney can't sue themselves but the critics didn't do their jobs. I guess the world doesn't care about trying to make an original story anymore; it's like the number 1 on the McDonald's menu these days.

Plagiarism only matters in school.

In show business, they deal with copyright and trademark infringement, which don't apply to The Force Awakens because all the necessary rights have been ironed out already. And I found TFA quite refreshing after enduring the horrid prequel trilogy.

Kor

 

[davejames]

Well given the religious overtones it seemed to me that there was likely something in the water that the aliens had a problem with (which is why the girl kept saying all along that it tasted funny), and that it wasn't just the water itself. And that they were reacting to it much like vampires do with holy water.

But whatever. I don't want to turn this into a Signs thread or anything; I was just saying that I think the movie is underrated is all.

Actually the vast majority of the reviews I read DID point out the story similarities and the fact the story rehashed a few too many ideas from the original films.

But that doesn't mean they didn't find (much like myself and a lot of other people) that it was still a really fun and entertaining movie to watch.

 

[jaime]

Android (1982)
Nemesis 2 with olivier gruner is a lot of fun.
Spacehunter: Adventures in the forbidden zone of course.
And no one ever talks about things like Batteries Not Included anymore.
Oh. And Demolition Man.

I agree with many of the choices here, and will argue passionately for ridley Scott not knowing his arse from his elbow storywise, being very revisionist and therefore I too prefer the original cut of Blade Runner.

 

[tomalak301]

I really enjoyed Equilibrium with Christian Bale.

Also second on The Island. Michael Bay is capable to doing good movies and Island (Along with The Rock) were probably his best.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I have mixed feelings about 5th Element. It's the kind of film that once you accept that it's stupid you can enjoy it.

Children of Men I think is very underrated. In my opinion the greatest English language scifi film.

 

[Starbreaker]

I remember seeing Capricorn One in the theaters with my dad. I loved it, although the ending was a bit cheesy.

The Postman...not that bad, but basically a re-telling of Waterworld. A loner with no name wanders a post-apocalyptic world helping defend average folks from a maniacal tyrant while simultaneously looking for a mythical safe haven.

One movie I liked that few others did was Solaris (George Clooney version).

I love both adaptation of Solaris. The Clooney version is incredibly depressing. I'm still upset it's not on Blu-ray.

 

[Set Harth]

Spacehunter: Adventures in the forbidden zone of course.

I don't recall the experience clearly at all, but I seem to remember it was not only a terrible film but also had awful "3D".

 

[jaime]

I don't recall the experience clearly at all, but I seem to remember it was not only a terrible film but also had awful "3D".

I came to it recorded off TV as a child. Have only managed to catch the first 20 minutes or so of the beginning in the last 20 years (it's not on dvd here) and that much at least is still stylish, to a certain taste.

Oh.. Totally underrated film that's a bit of a chop shop indie special. 'in the aftermath'
Should be watched in the middle of the night whilst tired bit not so tired you doze off before the end. Think it's on YouTube occasionally.

 

[Tim Walker]

Well I suppose if you look at it as just a straight scifi film featuring a literal alien invasion, but to me it was always more of a weird and mysterious little Twilight Zone-style parable about this one man's faith, with the aliens being almost beside the point.

Plus I just find the movie to be creepy and atmospheric as hell.

Creepy and atmospheric were likely the most enjoyable parts of the film.

For an alien invasion one of the best was The War of the Worlds that appeared in the early '50s. For a child it was spooky/scary, while being futuristic and cool.