FULL LIST: Techland's 10 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the Decade
Any top ten list is, by its nature, biased. It is subjective, rash and almost always deliberately provocative. It's one guy's attempt to make a statement.
So when it came to be my turn in Techland's best-of-the-decade marathon, I was less than surprised when some of my picks sparked passionate arguments among my colleagues. I believe it was Peter who said he was "deeply offended" by my pick for the best sci-fi film of the decade. I was quick to retort that I hated, hated, hated the iPhone. I think he knew I was lying.
Given the agony I've caused the writers of Techland, I can't even begin to imagine what's going to happen when all of you, our loyal readers, start to see what I've done here.
(More on Time.com: The 10 Worst Things About the Worst Decade Ever)
First, a few important pointers: I didn't really include any fantasy films. No Dark Knight. No Lord of the Rings. No Harry Potter (not that any Potter films would have made my top 10 fantasy films list anyway).
I included one romance that you might not deem science-fiction. But given that the story relies on neuroscience, and medical technology that does not yet exist, I'm not sure how you can claim it isn't sci-fi.
Since I was focusing on science-fiction, I didn't really consider any monster films - though, as you'll see, I did feel that one monster title straddled enough genres to be included in the consideration set.
You'll notice a lack of Star Wars. This is for no other reason than the latest Star Wars films suck.
There's also no Avatar, because we wrote this list before we saw the film (read our Avatar review here).
The goal here – much like my ongoing project to determine the 5 most underrated sci-fi masterpieces (which will resume Friday) – is to stoke conversation. To make you purge your memories as to the sci-fi adventures you enjoyed the most over the past ten years. The visions of outer space, inner space, the future and the past that made you stand up and cheer. The movies that made you rethink the way the universe works.
So let's get the great debate going. What titles have I missed? What pieces of garbage have I embraced? Am I an underappreciated genius? An overpaid hack?
Perhaps all of the above? Click on the link below to see my picks.
FULL LIST: Techland's 10 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the Decade
More on Time.com:
I wholeheartedly agree...with Peter! My #1 is your #2. (I'm surprised that "District 9" didn't make your list.)
Villafranca
Dec. 8, 2009 00:37am
District 9 was right there, at #11. Just couldn't get over the hurdle. If only A.I. hadn't been a masterpiece, it could have made the cut!
Steven James Snyder
Dec. 8, 2009 00:45am
Nice statement. I would disagree on A.I. if I hadnt caught it on t.v. about a month ago. Very deep, nuanced relationships there that i didnt quite catch in the first go around. Any sci-fi film with Vincent Chase in it should make your list.
thebro88
Dec. 8, 2009 09:01am
THEY AREN'T ALIENS!!! It's ironic that you say A.I.'s finale is widely misread, and then you immediately get it wrong. The creatures at the end of A.I. are next-generation mechas, or mechas created by mechas.
I hate when people misinterpret the ending! My guess is that people assume they are aliens because they look so similar to the greys in Spielberg's Close Encounters.
The entire film has the same 3-part structure as Kubrick's 2001. But instead of human life, it traces the evolution of artificial intelligent life... from robotic toy Teddy to the realistic child David to the next-gen creatures at the end, who have replaced humans to become Earth's dominant lifeform. They think of David as their ancestor, much like we do when we discover hominid fossils.
Despite that, good choice for #1. I think it takes guts to select a widely misunderstood and much maligned movie.
crispy4
Dec. 8, 2009 09:22am
Holy crow dude. You have called down upon yourself a commentstorm of epic proportions.
I respectfully, collegially submit:
District 9, Donnie Darko, The Incredibles, Serenity, Pitch Black, Scanner Darkly, Sky Captain, Iron Man -- IRON MAN!!! -- Watchmen.
I mean dude. Solaris. Solaris? And Minority Report was one of the worst movies I've ever SEEN.
Lev Grossman
Dec. 8, 2009 09:57am
I did like AI though.
Lev Grossman
Dec. 8, 2009 09:57am
Watchmen was terrible, Lev.
Peter Ha
Dec. 8, 2009 10:15am
What about Moon?
Peter Ha
Dec. 8, 2009 10:25am
crispy4 - I was JUST discussing this with someone. You are indeed correct sir, and I will update the text to reflect it. I was sort of rushing to tighten down/shorten the text and didn't fully think that line through as I was sketching it out. And yes, the fact that these are even more advanced robots, treating this robot better than its human overlords ever did, makes the ending that much more perfect. Thanks for the catch, not sure how I was so sloppy there on a rather key detail
Steven James Snyder
Dec. 8, 2009 10:26am
Interesting Lev - I shall review your roster of submissions. But due to the appearance of "Donnie Darko," I find it difficult to take your criticism seriously.
Steven James Snyder
Dec. 8, 2009 10:27am
Excellent, Steven. And I remain impressed you picked it as #1. Great movie. I love discussing it (arguing really!) with people.
crispy4
Dec. 8, 2009 10:31am
@PH Watchmen was indeed mixed. But the first 10 minutes of Watchmen was the best 10 minutes of SF on film in the entire decade. CAN YOU SAY THE SAME FOR SOLARIS?
Lev Grossman
Dec. 8, 2009 11:00am
I liked 'Watchmen' tons more the first time I saw it. Second time it felt really flabby...sadly.
Steven James Snyder
Dec. 8, 2009 11:09am
After reading your Top Ten Sci-Fi Movies of the Decade, a name change to Top Ten Sci-Fi Romances of the Decade maybe better suited. Forgetting Watchmen I can understand, but IRONMAN? Really? How did that happen? That's like forgetting Babe Ruth when talking about the greatest baseball players of all time. After saying that, I submit my list.
Ironman
Equilibrium
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
A Scanner Darkly
Star Trek
Watchmen
K-PAX
Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind
District 9
Deja Vu
hobbcore
Dec. 8, 2009 15:48pm
K-PAX? Bwahahahahahahaha!
crispy4
Dec. 8, 2009 15:52pm
Bwahahahahahahaha! Lovely argument crispy4.
hobbcore
Dec. 8, 2009 15:59pm
you've got to be kidding me that AI is the best sci fi movie of the decade! That movie was AWFUL. Maybe because Haley Joe Osment bothers the piss out of me. What about Moon or hell Transfomers was better that AI. I would rather see Hitch hikers guide to the Galaxy in the top 10. AI!? are you nuts! wow that felt good. Good call on Minority Report, big PKD fan but Minority report was hands down better than AI. This is a movie, you know entertainment. i cant stand when Spielberg tries to wax philosophical.
ok750
Dec. 8, 2009 15:59pm
In the immortal words of the comic book collector from the Simpsons, AI is the "worst movie ever."
ok750
Dec. 8, 2009 16:03pm
Wow the last decade was really not that kind to the sci-fi genre. Since some of you really really like AI; I'm going to keep my big mouth shut then. Yep I like it too guys (screwface to the max).
Really though, whats up with WALL-E. It's really disappointing that you have this on your list Steven...it's not as deep as you make it out to be. It was as intresting as garbage day.
The next bad choice of yours was Children of Men. The movie ought to call it self "What The Hell Is It About? It was dull until the bullets came.
Basically your list insults my inner geek/nerd. How dare you call yourself a fan of sci-fi and then list these awful movies (lets not even get into 28 Days...it's more zombie flick then sci-fi I don't care how you twist it).
I don't hate your list Steven (or for that matter you); I hate what the last decade has done to you. It was an awful decade as far as originality and story were concerned in the sci-fi genre. But the worst part of it, is how lightweight and (i'm sorry) stupid your list is because of this awful 'decade'.
ispeak4theothers
Dec. 8, 2009 16:35pm
nice hobbcore - though I already made fun of myself for having a soft spot for the trippy romance...that said I respect your inclusion of "Equilibrium" and "A Scanner Darkly." Really don't know how "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" or "K-Pax" are better than any of my items here. But that's why these sorts of lists are fun - I dig the debate!
Steven James Snyder
Dec. 8, 2009 17:12pm
ispeak4theothers, now you've gone and hurt my feelings. Just kidding. How can you, someone who demands a good story, told originally, then go on to dismiss "Children of Men?" I'm confused as to what you want. Lots of action? I love "Solaris" precisely because it internalizes the struggle...I love the fact that it's WITHOUT contrived action....
Steven James Snyder
Dec. 8, 2009 17:14pm
Great List! 90% agree [Spotless Mind was the one I'd swap out with Pandorum, though]. Gotta have one hard kick-ass bloody one in the mix, although I do recall you saying no monsters in the potpourri, so maybe I'm waffling back to 100% agreement. Equilibrium was another gem...Pitch Black had serious potential...I'm going to stop now before I fall into a spiral here...
I thought I was the only primate who connected with Solaris and AI...I feel....renewed!
bloodyanvil
Dec. 8, 2009 17:21pm
Nope, another primate, right here. I'll see you in the canopy -
Steven James Snyder
Dec. 8, 2009 17:27pm
I'm a big sci-fi fan and a BIG Zombie fan, but I could never include 28 days later as a "top sci-fi movie of the decade". It's a horror movie, plain and simple, and the inclusion of a "rage virus" doesn't change that, no matter what wikipedia says (hell, The Dark Knight was more of a Sci-fi movie that 28 days later).
Apart from that I mostly agree with what you said Steve, however I would also humbly submit (not a full 10 count, just my thoughts):
The Island: I actually found myself shouting (in a good way) at the screen. Kinda obvious in the plot, but I thought quite well done.
District 9 (as stated previously in the comments)
Sunshine: Pure sci-fi
Ironman
Pitch Black (and The Chronicles of Riddick. Gotta like Vin Diesel in this role)
That's all I can offer. Not exactly an overwhelming decade all told, but enough to keep us going.
hambyiii
Dec. 8, 2009 17:37pm
@Steven James Snyder
I think that sometimes the concept of a movie sometimes overshadows how good/not good a movie is in any genre. I felt that way with Minority Report and Children of Men. Great Concept. Not that great of a movies. I added K-PAX because beyond the SCI-FI theme there was (in my opinion) some real character growth and emotional connections. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was included because I think it brings some much needed humor to the SCI-FI genre.
hobbcore
Dec. 8, 2009 17:50pm