Tag: Sci-Fi

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Movie Review

Life (2017) Movie Review

Life – Movie Review

Life is a tense sci-fi thriller about scientists battling a deadly Martian life form that threatens Earth. Strong performances and design enhance the experience.

First Reaction – Life is a tense scientific alien thriller.

Watch Life here.

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ABC Film Challenge – Alien Movies – L

Director: Daniel Espinosa

Writer: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A team of scientists aboard the International Space Station discover a rapidly evolving life form that caused extinction on Mars and now threatens all life on Earth.

Runtime: 1 Hour 44 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Life starts when a team of specialist scientists, David (Gyllenhaal), Miranda (Ferguson), Rory (Reynolds), Sho (Sanada), Ekaterina (Dykhovichnaya), and Hugh (Bakare), make a discovery. They have found a life form from Mars and are studying it in the International Space Station.

However, the life force they named Calvin has a much deadlier side. It begins to evolve and adapt to the space station, showing how much more advance the life force is. The scientists must figure out a way to stop the creature before it reaches Earth.

Verdict on Life

Recap

The movie follows a group of scientists who discover a life form in space. They begin to study it only to learn they are fighting a deadly force from another planet. It forces them to figure out how to stop the creature before it gets to Earth.

Best Parts

The more scientific approach helps bring the movie to life. It’s not a wild alien hunting movie, it’s a slow evolving process. This side of the movie is great to watch and plays into the strengths of the characters. The performances are great and the set design in flawless. It becomes a quality sci-fi movie which never wastes a minute to bring the story to life.

Final Thoughts –Life is a tense, smart and enjoyable sci-fi movie.

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Movie Review

The Terrornauts (1967) Movie Review

The Terrornauts – Movie Review

Discover the thrilling sci-fi adventure of the Terrornauts. Join Dr. Joe Burke and his team as they search for life in outer space.

ABC Film Challenge – Sci-Fi – Z (Zena Marshall)

Director: Montgomery Tully

Writer: John Brunner (Screenplay)

Writer: Murray Leinster (Novel)

Cast

Plot: A group of scientists are kidnapped and taken into outer space aboard a saucer.

Runtime: 1 Hour 17 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Terrornauts starts when Dr Joe Burke’s (Oates) research has been searching for life in space. He has been facing a time limit and now he races to make a discovery. Along with his team, Sandy (Marshall), Ben Keller (Meadows) and Joshua Yellowlees (Hawtrey) they work tirelessly for answers.

However, one night they get visited and taken by alien craft. The whole observatory is taken into space to the alien homes. They must work together to understand what the aliens want, if they have any chance of returning home.

Verdict on The Terrornauts

The Terrornauts is a sci-fi adventure movie following a group of scientists who make an unlikely connection to an alien life form. They are taken to a faraway world, where they must understand what they want to save the human race.

We return to the 1960s with the growing paranoia of what could be in space. The movie uses a more friendly approach to exploring what could be found in space as well as showing the bigger threats the space holds. While a lot of the movie is cheesy effects, the message is clear. We don’t know what the threat is or what it wants and maybe not everything in space is evil.

Where to Watch

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Final Thoughts – The Terrornauts is a wacky cheesy sci-fi movie.

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Movie Review

They Cloned Tyrone (2023) Movie Review

They Cloned Tyrone – Movie Review

Discover the intriguing mystery of 'They Cloned Tyrone'. Join an unlikely trio as they uncover a government conspiracy in this thrilling movie review.

Director: Juel Taylor

Writer: Tony Rettenmaier, Juel Taylor (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A series of eerie events thrusts an unlikely trio onto the trail of a nefarious government conspiracy in this pulpy mystery caper.

Runtime: 2 Hours 2 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: They Cloned Tyrone starts when three friends Fontaine (Boyega), Slick Charles (Foxx) and Yo-Yo (Parris) hear an unusual story. They decide to investigate it, which leads them to an underground facility, where they make a shocking discovery.

The morning after, they team back up to explore the neighbourhood. However, they discover something far more sinister happening as they look to expose the truth and save their loved ones.

Verdict on They Cloned Tyrone

They Cloned Tyrone is a sci-fi comedy following three friends who discover a disturbing series of events in their neighbourhood. It follows them trying to uncover the truth as they see the changes in their loved ones, but can they stop them in time?

This movie takes an already entertaining concept and turns it into an even more comedic concept. The whole idea of people potentially being replaced brings the paranoia concept to life too. This plays into the comedy while keeping the series subject taking over. The three leads John Boyega, Jamie Foxx and Teyonah Parris are great together and show great chemistry throughout the story.

Where to Watch

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Final Thoughts – They Cloned Tyrone is a wacky comedy that embraces the bigger style.

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Movie Review

Tron: Ares (2025) Movie Review

Tron: Ares – Movie Review

Tron: Ares explores AI's potential through a digital struggle, showcasing stunning visuals but lacking engagement in the human world.

First Reaction – Tron: Ares takes an interesting turn in search for the limits of AI.

Director: Joachim Rønning

Writer: Jesse Wigutow (Screenplay)

Writer: David DiGilio, Jesse Wigutow (Story)

Cast

Plot: A highly sophisticated Program, Ares, is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission.

Runtime: 1 Hour 59 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Tron: Ares starts when Julian Dillinger (Peters) and Eve Kim (Lee) face off in a race for control of the digital leadership. They run the leading companies and want to use AI for different reasons. However, they are missing the final component. Julian has created a new security program named Ares (Leto), which he wants to use to show off the power his AI has. Meanwhile, Eve wants to solve world problems.

When Eve makes the breakthrough, Julian decides to use his programs to chase down her answers. However, Ares begins to think for himself and shows signs of control, as he searches to find his place between the worlds.

Verdict on Tron: Ares

Recap

The movie follows the tech giants battling it out for control of a program which can break through AI. However, one uses his own security power to try and eliminate the other, only for his creations to have his own ability to think for himself.

Best Parts

Whenever we are in the programming world, we have a fantastic visual environment. The bigger story of what to use AI in life is the highlight of the story too. It uses the idea of both military and environmental changes.

Worst Parts

The weakest part of the movie comes from the programs in the human world. This is because the human world feels so empty and boring with the tech structures, and any action seems to happen with the world on pause.

Final Thoughts –Tron: Ares continues to evolve the beautiful program world, but struggles to make the human world feel interesting.

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Movie Review

Space Goblins (2025) Short Movie Review

Space Goblins – Movie Review

"Space Goblins" is an entertaining animated sci-fi film about bounty hunters tackling societal issues within a relatable fantasy setting.

First Reaction – Space Goblins

Director: Amer Shihab

Writer: Amer Shihab, Harry Bryan (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Bill Hutchens
  • Michael Ochotorena
  • Wassim Hawat
  • Giovanni Greco
  • Richard Blekiron

Plot: Having been living off the grid for the last decade, Bounty hunters Gib and Gob find themselves being called back into action for what could be their very last assignment.

Runtime: 28 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Space Goblins

Recap

The short animated sci-fi movie follows two goblin bounty hunters Gib and Gob hunting down their latest bounty. However, they could have walked into the last assignment. Meanwhile, they learn the bigger problem with the work they conduct.

Best Parts

The movie reflects society with how the upper class walk over the lower class and take advantage of them. Even though we are in a world of goblins and creatures, you can see the real life message. We get a fun animation style, which brings the world to life, proving it could be made with limited budget. This also feels like one story we could see a lot more from in the future.

Worst Parts

While it is fun, entertaining and everything. It could be seen as more of passion project, than a full short. We see a lot of animated parodies of the world and this could easily fit that selection.

Final Thoughts – Space Goblins is an entertaining, comedic and reflective movie.

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Movie Review

Escape from the 21st Century (2024) Movie Review

Escape From the 21st Century – Movie Review

"Escape From the 21st Century" is a fun time travel movie where friends learn to navigate a challenging future through sneezing.

First Reaction – Escape From the 21st Century is a fun and wacky time travel movie.

Director: Yang Li

Writer: Yang Li (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Three friends discover they have the power to travel back and forth 20 years with a sneeze. However, the future is not as good as they hoped, and they need to take on the responsibility of saving the world.

Runtime: 1 Hour 38 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Escape From the 21st Century starts when three friends Zha (Zhang) Chengyong (Song), and Paopao (Lee) get into trouble with a local gang. While returning home, Chengyong sneezes and is transported into the future. However, it is a bleaker future than they imagined.

The friends work together to create a better future for themselves. However, each step they make has a ripple effect and perfection is only something they can dream of.

Verdict on Escape From the 21st Century

Recap

The movie follows a group of teenagers who discover they can travel to the future through a sneeze. However, the futures they find are not as exciting as they imagined and they set out to change things for the better.

Best Parts

This concept is brilliant and dives into the unexpected ability to time travel. It uses the traditional complex decisions around the ability to time travel and ripple effects. However, it stands out with a concept with how they reached that stage. This brings things full circle with how the world is created and how the characters act, while keeping a lighter tone at times.

Worst Parts

It is one of those movies that people would debate the ins and outs of the time travel journeys.

Final Thoughts –Escape From the 21st Century has an interesting spin on time travel movies.

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Movie Review

Runaway (1984) Movie Review

Runaway – ABC Film Challenge – Sci-Fi – R – Runaway – Movie Review

Runaway

Director: Michael Crichton

Writer: Michael Crichton (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: In the near future, a police officer specializes in malfunctioning robots. When a robot turns out to have been programmed to kill, he begins to uncover a homicidal plot to create killer robots… and his son becomes a target.

Runtime: 1 Hour 39 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Runaway starts when Ramsay (Selleck) gets a new rookie partner Thompson (Rhodes). The pair get to work on cases involving malfunctioning robots in a futuristic world. One where nearly everyone has a robot in their lives. However, when one kills its owner, a brand-new case is opened.

Elsewhere, Luther (Simmons) has been working with chips to create a dangerous series of home robots. One that sees them as having homicidal tendencies. Now, police officers must solve the increased number of dangerous robots before they become a danger to their loved ones.

Verdict on Runaway

Runaway is an action sci-fi thriller following two detectives who tackle malfunctioning robots. However, when one of the robots kills a human owner, they must investigate a bigger human problem. Now they need to stop a potential terrorist before it is too late.

This is a movie that gets to highlight the dangers that technology poses. It uses the ideas of the world relying on robots to do their everyday routines. This manages to bring everything together to show us just how easily people could use these ideas to create something dangerous for the world. We could easily see this becoming a real problem even in our own current lives and that adds an extra layer of horror to the story.

Final Thoughts –Runaway gives us a warning about using too much technology.

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Movie Review

Finch (2021) Movie Review

Finch – Movie Review

Finch is a heartfelt post-apocalyptic tale where a man, his dog, and a protective robot navigate dangers while discovering love and humanity.

First Reaction – Finch is an enjoyable story.

Watch Finch on Apple TV

ABC Film Challenge – Sci-Fi – J (The robot is called Jeff)

Director: Miguel Sapochnik

Writer: Craig Luck, Ivor Powell (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: On a post-apocalyptic Earth, a robot, built to protect the life of his creator’s beloved dog learns about life, love, friendship and what it means to be human.

Runtime: 1 Hour 55 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Finch starts as we enter a post-apocalyptic world where a lone man Finch (Hanks) lives with his beloved Dog. He has been trying to train a robot for extra protection with one of the key rules it must follow, protect the Dog. However, the weather storms are worsening, and Finch must relocate to a calm part of America.

It means risking everything when travelling, knowing other humans could be dangerous. However, staying where they were would mean 40 days in devastating storm conditions.

Verdict on Finch

Recap

The movie follows a man trying to find shelter in a post-apocalyptic world. His dog and new robot creation join him, as he prepares them for safety when a storm is hitting. The man knows the dangers but must weigh up the risk to protect his last loved one on Earth.

Best Parts

This movie is a vision of one man and his dog. It connects to anyone who has had a pet loves them and knows they will do anything to protect them. The post-apocalyptic world is designed well and shows the dangers it could have. There is a teaching story, which comes to light, as Finch prepares the robot for life without him around. We get a moving story, which helps us enjoy the journey and a painful story that haunts Finch to this day.

Final Thoughts – Finch is a nice journey through a post-apocalyptic world.

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Movie Review

I.S.S. (2023) Movie Review

I.S.S. – Movie Review

First Reaction – I.S.S. has an interesting concept with high rising tension.

Watch I.S.S. here.

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ABC Film Challenge – Sci-Fi – I

Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Writer: Nick Shafir (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as a conflict breaks out on Earth. Reeling, the U.S. and Russian astronauts receive orders from the ground: take control of the station by any means necessary.

Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: I.S.S. starts when an American crew Kira (DeBose), Gordon (Messina) and Christian (Gallagher Jr) joins the Russian crew Weronika (Mashkova), Nicholai (Ronin) and Alexey (Asbæk). They work in harmony sharing a space station for research purposes. However, the mission changes when conflict breaks out on Earth.

Meanwhile, the two sides are contacted to take control of the ship, putting the two nations against each other. It causes tension to rise as the crew find doubting who they can trust.

Verdict on I.S.S.

Recap

The movie follows a joint US and Russian space crew who witness the world break out into war. However, they receive orders to take control of the station, leading to a bitter battle for control as everyone starts losing their minds.

Best Parts

The movie shows the uncertainty of what would happen if war broke out for a space station. It shows what could go through their minds in a contained space and a mix of nations.

Worst Parts

The movie doesn’t seem to get going, and despite its desire to create tension, it never manages to achieve this. It feels more dull than anything else, which is disappointing because the area where the movie is set could create a much higher level.

Final Thoughts –I.S.S. struggles to capture the tension presented.