While the 1990s saw the advent of big science-fiction films such asThe Matrix,Independence Day, Jurassic Park,andMen In Black, it’s not the only decade to explore the wonders of futuristic or even outright bizarre scientific concepts. In fact, the 1980s has had its fair share of sci-fi movies that garnered the love of the mainstream - such asAliens, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,and evenBlade Runner.
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However, much with media from any genre and within any timeframe, there’s bound to be underrated works that deserve any superfan’s attention. And when it comes tosci-fi moviesfrom the 1980s, there’s a couple of must-watches for any hardcore sci-fi fan.
9Warning Sign (1985)
When avirus outbreakhappens in a movie, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s a zombie film. AndWarning Signcarefully treads the line between science fiction horror and zombie flick. InWarning Sign, a virus outbreak happens inside a top-secret military lab operating as a pesticide manufacturer. As per protocol, someone activates Protocol One, which shuts down the facility from the rest of the world. Trapped and with no way out, the remaining scientists and crew inside the lab have to find a way out before the virus transforms them into rage-filled killers.
WhileWarning Signdoesn’t boast the typical philosophical underpinnings of the usual society-under-a-zombie-plague trope, the film does compensate with sheer campy outbreak terror. The movie’s blend of just the right amount of predictability, action, and thrill to refresh any sci-fi fan after whatever recent mind-blowing film they’ve watched.
8Lifeforce (1985)
What if there’s a possibility of vampires becoming the subject of a science fiction film?Lifeforcemakes this possible, particularly with its basis “The Space Vampires,” a 1976 novel by Colin Wilson. Essentially,Lifeforcedepicts a series of events involving three humanoids in suspended animation being brought to Earth after astronauts from a space shuttle discover them from a ship. What ensues afterward is utter chaos, when the humanoidsreveal themselves to be vampire-like creaturesthat feed off the lifeforce of people around them.
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Despite its status as a box office failure,Lifeforcehas gained enough of a cult following to be considered a must-watch - especially for sci-fi fans. While not possessing usual qualities associated with sci-fi such as deep usage of concepts or social commentary,Lifeforcehas just enough fright and thrill to become a breath of fresh air from the vampire media formula.
7Cocoon (1985)
Sometimes, science fiction dabbles less on science and more on wonders to also dwell on the realm of fantasy drama, and this is whereCocoonlies. This 1985 film depicts the events surrounding a mysterious Florida rest home, in which its pool seemingly has rejuvenating quality. As it turns out, this newfoundfountain of youthhas another purpose, and the residents drawn to them become involved in its affairs.
Despite the ominous setting,Cocoonhas quite the more relaxed and peaceful take on science fiction.Cocoonproves that science fiction doesn’t have to be desolate, depressing, or desperate in order to be interesting. At its core,Cocoontackles the subject of mortality among humans with such a caring and warm grace that makes it a nice detour from typical sci-fi flicks.
6The Last Starfighter (1984)
At first glance,The Last Starfightermight seem like aStar Warsknockoff. However,The Last Starfighteris a space opera that takes what madeStar Warsa hit and adds its own brand of light-heartedness into the mix. Set in Earth at the present day, Alex Rogan has devoted much of his time finishing the “Starfighter” arcade game. Much to his surprise, his success in the game caught the attention of Centauri, an alien who abducts Alex to enlist him as a part of the conflict between the Ko-Dan Empire and the Rylan Star League.
Unlike other space operas,The Last Starfighterwas as fantastical as it gets. Whereas the likes ofStar Warsfocuses more on establishing the viewer’s relationship with the story on a mild tempo,The Last Starfighterheads straight for the action consistently. Despite its predictable plot,The Last Starfighterremains an entertaining tale that highlights hope against all odds.
5TRON (1982)
A few years beforeThe Terminatorfranchise even introduced the idea of a malevolent artificial intelligence, it wasDisney’sTRONthat hinted towards the concept. At its core, the story explores the adventures of software engineer Kevin Flynn and his adventures after being “transported” into the cyber world located within the ENCOM corporation, where he teams up with the program Tron to stop the tyranny of the Master Control Program, ENCOM’s mainframe system gone haywire.
AlongsideThe Last Starfighter,it’s alsoTRONthat served as one of the first films that heralded the use of heavy CGI for its backdrop and scenes. And givenTRON’s focus on the bizarre world of cyberspace, such focus on technology is warranted. Interestingly enough, aside from its Disney formula of equal blends of action and drama, sci-fi fans may very well considerTRONas the first mainstream adaptation of the“trapped in a virtual world” trope.
42010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)
Fans of the hit2001: A Space Odysseywill likely remember that it actually had a sequel,2010: The Year We Make Contact, released in 1984. Based on Arthur C. Clarke’s sequel novel for “2001: A Space Odyssey” called “2010: Odyssey 2,” the film follows the journey of an expedition sent to Jupiter to find out exactly what happened to the missing “Discovery” spacecraft during the events of the first film.
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Granted, the film didn’t have that much of an impact compared to its predecessor However,2010: The Year We Make Contactremained quite a must-watch when it comes to expanded sci-fi concepts. While its ending is quite a bit underwhelming, the move to have a more grounded take on the morefantastical concepts of2001is proof that sometimes reality is more mundane than one would expect - something not always explored in sci-fi concepts.
3The Quiet Earth (1985)
When it comes to disaster films, sometimes it’s not the abundance of human panic that causes sheer terror. AsThe Quiet Earthproves, sometimes the best disaster films shine by showing what happens inthe vast absence of people. At its core,The Quiet Earthtells the story of scientist Zac Hobson as he wakes up to a deserted city - with no one but himself, and with everyone seemingly gone. While he eventually meets survivors Joanne and Api, troubles soon arise within themselves.
Loosely based on the 1981 sci-fi novel of the same name,The Quiet Earthhighlights just how dangerous any person could be when left to their own devices, with no care for consequences.This film is quite a unique take on the disaster and post-apocalyptic genre, as it’s not often that such films explore the complexities of human interaction without the backdrop of impending doom.
2Altered States (1980)
A lot of science fiction tales depict the horrors of experiments gone wrong, with the moral usually involving keeping one’s hubris in check.Altered Statestries to take this route, with the 1980 film turningtowards a more grounded, plausible storylinefor maximum effect.Altered Statestells the story of Edward Jessup, a psychology professor who just decided to combine his sensory deprivation experiments with hallucinogens. Jessup’s goal is to prove that sensory deprivation with hallucinogens can help him unlock altered states of consciousness - and with each step towards this process, the more he loses his grip on reality.
Despite being an adaptation of a novel and screenplay of Paddy Chayefsky, perhaps what makes this sci-fi film a must-watch is its real-life inspiration: neuroscientist John C. Lilly’s own sensory deprivation research that uses hallucinogens as well.
11984 (1984)
Any sci-fi fan would most likely mention George Orwell’s1984whenever someone opens the topic of “bests” in the genre. However, not everyone knows of the1984film adaptation released in the same year, which in itself was perhaps the best adaptation of the novel. Like the novel,1984is set in a dystopian version of the same year, where civil servant Winston Smith has to come to grips with the horrible reality of a society that continuously persecutes individualism.
Aside from being able to score accolades, the film itself has had a remarkable impact during the time of its release. Think ofseeingThe Matrixfor the first timein 1999, just as when its characters reveal that its 21st Century setting is nothing more than just an illusion. Much is the same with the1984adaptation, this time highlighting the sheer horrors of a totalitarian society had mankind taken a wrong turn in the past.
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