“Everything's
science fiction until someone makes it science fact”
Due
to the increased
amount of interest, attention and curiosity of contemporary people science
fiction movies are getting popularity occupying initial places in cinema box
offices. As a result of careful observation, it can be stated that each month
at least one science fiction movie is releasing and relatedly annual quantity
of movies have multiplied over the last few decades. The viewership of this
genre shoots up rapidly.
The profound influential effect of sciencefiction movies, cinematic medium is based on bringing creativity, offering
fantasy for pure entertainment; innovative editing and special effects are
remarkably attracted and widely imitated by young generation. Innovative
technological and scientific nuances, advances are the fundamental reasons for
prosperity of science fiction.
Science fiction usually deals with worlds that
differ from our own as the result of new scientific discoveries, new
technologies or different social systems. It then looks at the consequences of
this change. As it is closely related to fantasy it’s sometimes hard to
distinguish them, as Arthur C. Clarke famously stated: “ any
sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”.
Explicitly, the rise of interest in science
fiction movies of present time coupled with the reason why it is important( according to observations)
are: initially, science fiction can be
used to explore our place in the universe and consider philosophical
questions about the nature of reality and the mind, secondly, science
fiction can inspire more people to become scientists,( ex: Edwin
Hubble was inspired to become a
scientist after reading Jules Verne novels, or science fiction author Carl
Sagan was influenced by Robert A. Heinlein) thirdly, and perhaps most
importantly science fiction is the only genre that depicts how society could
function differently. This is the first step towards progress as it allows
us to imagine the future we want, and consider ways to work towards it.
Sciencefiction film genre has long served as
useful means of discussing sensitive
topical issues without arousing controversy, and it often provides thoughtful social
commentary on potential unforeseen issues. The fictional setting allows for
deeper examination and reflection of the ideas presented, with the perspective
of a viewer watching remote events. Most controversial issues in science
fiction movies tend to fall into two general storylines, Utopian and
Dystopian. Either a society will
become better or worse in the future.
Correspondingly, the genre and subgenre of
science fiction films are various , topics like time travel, monsters,
superheroes, intergalactic space travel, computers and robots, artificial
intelligence and extraterrestrial are all fodder for science fiction. Starting
from “ A trip to the Moon” 1902, directed by French filmmaker Georges Melies
which was profoundly influential on later filmmaking.” 2001.A Space Odyssey “
1968, based on the work of Arthur C. Clarke rose above the mostly B- movie
offerings up to that time in scope and quality. Perhaps , the most famous
example of the positive effect of
science fiction comes from the inclusion of a multiracial cast on the original Star
Trek television series. Even when Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant
Uhura, was considering leaving the series, civil rights leader Martin Luther
King was convinced her to stay. King argued that her inclusion on Star trek was
important because, as a black man, she
helped represent a future people could aspire , one where people were judged
solely on the content of their character.
It’s interesting to note that , the
majority of the top grossing films in the science fiction were made in the
past ten years. In particular, “ Iron man”, “ Justice League”, “
Transformers: Dark of the Moon “ ( several other series), “ Star wars: The Last
Jedy (series), “ Avatar” ( best gross sales worldwide), “The Avengers”, “Down
of the Planet of the Apes” and etc. The list can be continued very long.
Important to highlight the fact that every movie deliver some idea or concept;
like protest against imperialism (Avatar), or pose questions about social
issues.
In some ways , society has changed
dramatically since 1950s.Many things that once science fiction have already
become reality: we have walked on the Moon, we have created clones, and
synthetic life, and many people now have access to almost all human knowledge through a device that can fit in
their pocket. Technology is progressing so fast that it is changing society,
leading to unprecedented moral dilemmas and scientific challenges. This means
that science fiction is more important now than ever.
In
science fiction books and films we got to experience and explore the futures
through the eyes of the characters in the films, books. We get to put ourselves
in their place and live through them. Similarly, science fiction is useful as a
tool , not for predicting the future, but for instead modeling a vast range of
possible futures. As our society develops and changes, science fiction is
there to show us what will happen if we
continue along our current path, can help address long-term problems, such as
global warming. It can help with the development of space exploration, and
prepare us for problems we may not anticipate. One day, time travel,
teleportation or the generic engineering of humans may happen, we might
communicate with aliens, invent simulated realities, or built intelligent
robots and we will be better prepared ti deal with these, and other potential
dilemmas, if we have already thought about them.
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