|1-Science Fiction by Sparhawk This document explores the Science Fiction genre through the mediums of TV, Film and Literature. Each section starts with a description of the state of the subject in that genre, some currently available examples and some specific examples which show the range within science fiction. Science Fiction is sometimes best thought of as Speculative Fiction, as it deals with what may happen. The genre has fascinated people for a long time since perhaps the days of Jules Verne. Science Fiction, along with Fantasy and to a lesser extent Horror, allows you to escape reality, for a short while at least, and that is why it is so popular. Science Fiction is much more than just the average view of space, spaceships, aliens and the rest. Television. ~~~~~~~~~~~ There have been many, many science fiction television programmes over the years. Most of these have enjoyed good to excellent ratings and so similar programs continue to be made. Science Fiction programs are mainly from the US and Japan, although there are some from Britain and other countries too. The US is of course famous for Star Trek and it's spin off's among many others. Star Trek must surely be the most famous Sci-Fi TV programme of all. Japan also has a great output of Science Fiction material, from Godzilla to Anime. Sub themes of Sci-fi explored in TV include the Space Opera, Super Hero and Paranormal genres. Most Sci-Fi TV programs are now mainly thrillers, suspense and drama, as opposed to the mainly action-based programs of years ago. Of course there is still a lot of action in Sci-fi but the trend is away from that. Today the main Sci-fi TV programs are Star Trek the Next Generation which is still showing but no more episodes have been made (yet), Deep Space 9, Star Trek Voyagers, Babylon 5, Red Dwarf, Alien Nation, Quantum Leap and the X-Files. There are others but they are mainly childrens TV such as 'Power Rangers' etc. Older shows are still showing such as Twilight Zone, Dr. Who etc. on some satellite/cable stations. I will now look at some landmark Sci-fi TV shows in more detail: Star Trek. ~~~~~~~~~~ This was the first really popular TV show, mainly for its simplistic Middle American style. It has a well defined crew which the audience has quickly become acquainted with and is mainly action based, with each episode standing alone. This series was invented by Gene Roddenberry. There was also an animated series. Every year there are literally thousands of Star Trek conventions held. Star Trek's spin off series are Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyagers and Deep Space 9. Of these The Next Generation is the most similar to the original series while the others are set in the same universe and carry the detail forward. Star Trek has had (to date) seven films made of the series. This is astonishing considering the original series didn't run for that long. The latest included the Next Generation cast as well. Star Trek is the most popular of all Sci-Fi TV programme and the theme looks set to continue for a long time yet. Dr. Who. ~~~~~~~~ This was a typically British Sci-Fi programme. This was the longest running Sci-Fi TV series ever, running for over twenty years. Unfortunately the last series was made years ago, although Steven Spielberg looks set to make an American TV series from it. The basic plot is that of a Time Lord who travels through Time in his Tardis (representing a Police phone box) righting wrongs and generally having adventures. Dr. Who was characterised by its monsters, of which the Daleks were the most famous. There were some films made of Dr. Who with Christopher Lee as the Doctor. The Doctor had been played by many actors. To get around this the Doctor 'died' and was regenerated in his new form. The last actor to play the Doctor was Sylvester McCoy. The Doctor has also had some companions on his journeys. The last of these was Sophie Aldred. Before her it was Bonnie Langford. Dr. Who was made on a relatively small budget and sometimes had flimsy sets and laughable special effects but in it's defence the storylines were good and different from the usual sci-fi fare. Unlike Star Trek Dr. Who episodes were shown in a serial form, with the story continuing from week to week. Dr. Who had a large following in the UK but not abroad. Let's hope Steven Spielberg gets it right. The Prisoner. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Another British Sci-fi TV Programme this was not made for long but is best categorised by calling it... strange. It was conceived by and starred Patrick McGoohan. It was mainly a James Bond style future thriller, but more like James Bond on drugs. Patrick McGoohan played a man who was captured (in a giant beach ball) and kept in a strange society were he was only called Number 6. He rebels against this and gets into strange adventures while fighting against Number one. 'I am not a number, I am a free man!' Gerry Anderson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gerry Andersons series included Thunderbirds, Terrahawks, Fireball XL5, Captain Scarlet. Although he made action series as well his puppet series were the most popular. Of his series Thunderbirds must have been the most famous. Who doesn't recognise the famous start of the series '5.... 4.... 3.... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are go!' ? These series were dubbed as 'Supermarionation'. They have since gained a cult following and although they ceased production a long, long, long time ago repeats continue to remain popular. Gerry Anderson is still very much around and he has had his hands in many projects. A new series by him is destined for release - Space Precinct. Others. ~~~~~~~ Other classic Sci Fi series are, briefly listed: Space 1999, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Battlestar Galactica, Blakes Seven, $6 Nillion Man, Invaders, Land of the Giants and an old favourite Lost In Space ('Danger Will Robinson!'). These have all been repeated and will continue to be so for some time. Films. ~~~~~~ Science Fiction films remain popular and have grossed millions. Some of the biggest selling films of all time were Science Fiction. The one that started the ball rolling must have been Star Wars. The have been many different films based on every conceivable subject. There are cheap and nasty B-Movies of Sci-Fi Horror and thought provoking big-budget movies by internationally famous directors. Science Fiction has ranged from the lows of the infamous 'Plan 9 from Outer Space' to the heights of films such as '2001' and 'Close Encounters of the third Kind'. Sci-fi films have been made basically since film making began. The subject is immensely popular. Film is probably the most direct media and Sci-fi has made more of an impact here than elsewhere. Unfortunately the many bad examples of Sci-fi has made Sci-fi lose some of its credibility. Still, Sci-fi has proven itself over the years and films will continue to be made as long as they make profits. Sci-fi has happily proved that it does. Some new films include Star Trek:Generations, Fortress, No Escape, Brainscan, Highlander 3, Timecop and StarGate. Some due for release are Judge Dredd, Tank Girl, Batman Forever, Street Fighter, Spiderman and Mortal Kombat. Some good films, old and new, include: Star Wars. ~~~~~~~~~~ One of the first ultra popular Sci-fi films was basically a big budget space opera which seems to be many standard plots thrown together. Star Wars only ever intended to be good family entertainment and it succeeds at this. There can't be anyone who hasn't seen this. The basic plot is that of rebellion against the empire. The immediate threat is the demonic Darth Vader in charge of the Death Star. Luke Skywalker meets Obi Wan Kenobi and starts to train to be a Jedi Knight. On his travels he meets Han Solo, pilot of the Millennium Falcon. Han solo joins Luke in his quest to free Princess Leia, whom he saw in a hologram projected by the robot R2D2. R2D2 and C3PO used to work for her. Star Wars was created by and directed by George Lucas, boss of Industrial Light and Magic. It stared Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. There were two sequels, Empire Strikes Back and Return of The Jedi. There are supposedly another three star wars films to be made, set before the original three. The main character is Obi Wan Kenobi played by Kenneth Brannagh. Close Encounters of the third kind. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Starring Richard Dreyfuss and directed by Stephen Spielberg this is noticeable for its different message to most Sci-fi. It's central plot is the meeting of man and alien. This film's theme is love, not war. It cost a lot for its time ($19 million, not much for now) and was a blockbuster. It was well received on its release. The main plot is that UFO's are seen and people around the country have strange compulsions to travel to a mountain. It is at this mountain that the humans meet the aliens. The film follows one fanatic, Richard Dreyfuss, who drives his family away with his obsession until he eventually reaches ground zero and meets the aliens. Steven Spielberg has made a few Sci-fi films including E.T. He also had a TV series 'Steven Spielbergs Amazing Stories' which was mainly Sci-fi and 'Seaquest DSV'. Mad Max. ~~~~~~~~ There were three Mad Max films - but the second was mainly a remake of the first. They all starred Mel Gibson. Mad Max is set in a post-apocalyptic world, but for a change not after world war 3 but after the breakdown of society. Mad Max is a policeman in this world, where petrol and other commodities are scarce and guarded jealously. The third film was by far the best. It also starred Tina Turner. The basic plot is average but special effects, action and scene setting make this a classic. At least, I think so. Total Recall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A more modern classic this is one of many Arnold Swarzenegger genre films. It was based on a short story by Phillip K. Dick, whose other short stories have inspired the likes of Blade Runner. The plot is that Doug Quaid (Arnie) visits Recall who give you a 'mental' holiday. He chooses a trip with himself as a special agent on mars. Before this is implanted Doug realises he his actually a special agent whose mind has been wiped. At the end a martian machine is activated which gives Mars an atmosphere and stops the selling of air on mars. As expected the special effects are excellent. Arnie does his usual acting job (i.e. nothing special) but the film carries itself along. The main theme ('is he dreaming?') sometimes gets in the way of the story. The film is a good example of modern Sci-fi films. It's fast, exhilarating and above all good fun. Other Films. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Other films include: Escape from NY, Blade Runner, The Thing, Alien, Zardoz, Buckaroo Banzai, 2001, Dune, StarMan, Forbidden Planet, Brazil, Barbarella, Back to the Future, Planet of the Apes, Robocop, War of the Worlds, The Fly, Rocketeer, Terminator, Darkman and Communion. Continued in part two...