Thanks to the phenomenal success of Young Adult novels like
the “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent”, what was once a somewhat obscure sub-genre
of classic science fiction has become all the rage. Dystopian films, including
the ones on this list, have traditionally been relegated to cult status. With “Catching
Fire” breaking box office records and the movie version of “Divergent” set up
to become the blockbuster of the spring, that has all changed.
What is the definition of a dystopia? What makes a story—albeit
book or film—dystopian. The dystopian sub-genre of science fiction takes some
negative or potentially destructive aspect of current society and extrapolates
what would happen if that negative thing were pushed to the extreme. Examples
are pollution, nuclear war, climate change, corporate greed, religious fanaticism,
over-population, disease, militarism, technology run amuck, and even zombie
viruses.
Here is a list of this reviewer’s top five dystopian films
of all time.
“Robocop” (1987) directed by Paul Verhoeven
Written by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner
Paul Vehoeven’s smash-mouth, irreverent science fiction
classic is both a bold, rousing, action film, and a brilliant satire. In the
post Citizens United world of the Koch brothers and Tea Party controlled
government, Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner’s prophetic masterpiece of a
screenplay resonates more than ever. Forget about the neutered, CGI dominated
remake due out later this year. Instead go watch the director’s cut of this landmark,
revolutionary film.
“Silent Running” (1972) directed by Douglas Trumbull
Written by Deric Washburn, Michael Cimino, and Steven Bochco
In the future—after decades of climate change denial—corporate
greed run amuck as the earth will become a polluted wasteland. The only green
life remaining will be forests in floating domed spaceships maintained and
overseen by a sole human caretaker—the lone environmentalist left. Bruce Dern
(up for an Oscar this year for Nebraska) is absolutely brilliant in a
tour-de-force performance. This movie has a wonderful, independent feel to it
and yet contains excellent special effects courtesy of its director, Douglas
Trumbull, the visual effects wizard behind “2001: A Space Odyssey”, “Close
Encounters of the Third Kind”, “Blade Runner”, and “Brainstorm” (which he
directed as well).
“Blade Runner” (1982) directed by Riddley Scott
Written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples
Based on the novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” by
Phillip K. Dick
What is there left to say about “Blade Runner” that has not
already been said? Arguably the greatest science film of all time—certainly in
the discussion—the film continues to improve with age. It is still one of the
best looking movies ever made. There is something about the organic feel of real
sets, physical models, and pre-CGI visual effects that has yet to be captured
in a CGI film. The thematic material and questions posed in “Blade Runner” have
continued to be explored in science fiction, most notably Steven Spielberg’s “A.I.
Artificial Intelligence” and the re-imagining of “Battlestar Galactica”.
“The Road Warrior” (1982) directed by George Miller
Written by Terry Hayes, George Miller, and Brian Hannant
Technically this was a 1981 film because it premiered in Australia
in December of 1981. But for most of the world, including North America, this
movie was part of the fabled cinematic all-star line-up of 1982. I still
remember reading Richard Corliss’s rave review in the May, 10 1982 issue of “Time
Magazine” under the title of “Apocalypse Pow!” And “Pow” is the best word to describe
this trend-setting (punk rock styling, piercings, WWE, etc.) adrenaline-fueled
action classic. Man, this is a movie with attitude. The propulsive final chase
scene is one of the best directed action sequences of all time—not matched
until years later in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”.
“Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” (1972) directed by J.
Lee Thompson
Written by Paul Dehn
“Dark” can mean many things and is a word used to describe
many films on this list. But if any film is worthy of that all-encompassing
adjective it is this bleak, brooding—and brilliant—fourth film in the original “Planet
of the Apes” movie series.
There is an oppressing, Orwellian feel to the film, which is
really an origin story akin to the outstanding 2011 film “Rise of the Planet of
the Apes”. What is cool about the new franchise re-launch is that (unlike the
new “Star Trek”) it does not prevent any of the first five films from
happening—it actually sets them up! Think about it; the new movie series gets
us to the first film, which leads to Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Milo escaping in
a rocket and traveling back to 1971 earth thus creating a new timeline—the
original series.
