Terminators

Recently, hubby and I saw the fourth film in the Terminator series, and I was reminded that the original film was more horror than science fiction. We both agree that the second film, a/k/a Judgment Day is the best of the series, and that the third movie was forgettable. So much so, that we did not plan to see Terminator, Salvation, until daughter recommended it. When this action packed, tense, dark dystopia came to a close, I laughed and asked, "Why do all of these futuristic films feature folks in ragged motorcycle clothes?" Really, I do believe the costumers for such films just rob the trash from behind biker bars and make darned sure everything fits skin tight.

That said, the entire Terminator series exemplifies the concept of man vs. machine as it evolves from an attempt to make the world better, resulting in a monumental screw-up. That theme, one of the core themes in science fiction, is known as Utopia/Dystopia. The Mad Max films are dystopias, as are classic science fiction yarns such as Brave New World and 1984. Despite warnings from these more literary authors, as well as lesser known script writers, we still have folks believing that the way to make the world better is to change everything. Of course, that observation is belongs in the realm of social commentary, so I'll leave it to political pundits and get back to Terminator, Salvation.

In the latter, the special effects are top notch, and Christian Bale brings a brooding strength and determination to John Conner that has been lacking in previous films and television iterations of the character. Daughter said that she missed Linda Hamilton, but Hamilton's voice is used to help frame the character, as Bale's John Connor hovers over an old fashioned cassette player, listening to words of maternal wisdom.

Although Star Trek and Terminator fall into the same general genre, that of science fiction, they present opposite views of the future. In Trek, man's future is not without problems, but a certain amount of optimism is in order. In any of the Terminator films, the march toward the future is mostly a downward spiral. However, in each series, conflict abounds, and watching characters solve conflicts is the reason we keep coming back to the theatre, or renting those DVD's.

By Christmas, these futuristic tales will be available in stores or via Netflix, if you missed these summer sci fi films.

Have you seen V for Vendetta?

I won't write a review per se of V for Vendetta, because there are many of those available, but I would like to comment on it. I can't believe that it will be anything more than a cult classic in a year or so, but for right now, it brings the role of science fiction as literature to the forefront.

Joseph Campbell described science fiction as mythology for modern man. Back in graduate school, I wrote a paper or two on themes found in science fiction, and there are a number of classic themes on which virtually all sci-fi must rely, including man vs. machine and utopia/dystopia. V for Vendetta is a modernized Nazi movie, and often looks more like the alternate history theme rather than the dystopia it intends to portray. Yet, the literate script and an unusually complex plot which never loses the viewer seem unusual. I have grown accustomed to most sci-fi on the screen being neither literate nor clear-sighted, and V for Vendetta is both.

Probably, some viewers will be intrigued by the “terrorism” controversy. Others will be enticed to view the film by the voyeuristic glimpses of Natalie Portman being shaved bald which are in the trailer, but this flick is more complex than most screen versions of graphic novels. However, after all the quotes from Shakespeare and emotional epiphanies are done, it is still a story about a dude in a mask who blows stuff up. All during the movie, I simply could not forget that it all began as a comic.

At its best, science fiction offers another way to examine what it means to be human, and in that V for Vendetta doesn’t fail.