Although the 1980s were a great time for sci-fi movies, there were a few members of the genre who didn’t get the recognition they deserved and faded into relative oblivion. Many of these have built a decent cult following over the years, but they’re still underrated films that demand to be seen by a much wider audience.
So for audiences looking for a new sci-fi flick to jump into, check out these seven ’80s films that stand out as some of the unsung wonders of the genre.
The Last Starfighter (1984)
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Directed by Nick Castle The last Starfighter features a teenager from Earth who is recruited into an intergalactic war after achieving a high score in a special arcade game. Basically, Star Wars is meeting Thronethis space opera isn’t the most original sci-fi movie of the 80s.
However, it’s still a simple yet exciting adventure that feels like it was pulled straight from a video game, and there’s a lovely sense of love and wonder to the story and its characters that can appeal to audiences of all ages. Likewise, the special effects, although unrealistic today, are among the first mass uses of CGI to create a film, making it a must-see for movie fans.
2010: Year of Contact (1984)
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Although 2010 is the sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s magnum opus, 2001: A Space Odyssey, a surprisingly large number of people do not even acknowledge its existence. This film may not have reached the level of cinematic genius of Kubrick’s original, but director Peter Hyams’ sequel is still a great sci-fi adventure that answers the lingering questions of what happened to Dave Bowman and HAL on their fateful trip to Jupiter. It also gives the audience an incredibly honest ending that is sure to make them think about their place in the universe.
Time Bandits (1981)
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Directed by Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam, this surreal adventure follows a boy who is dragged through time by a group of thieves who steal treasures from different eras using a mystical map. With a group of time-travelling dwarves, an evil wizard who hates snails and God as a giant echoing head, this film is the clever and bizarre tale you’d expect from the ex-Python. Audiences will feel like they’ve fallen down a rabbit hole as they experience this film’s ambitious story, quirky humor and phantasmagorical imagery.
Prince of Darkness (1987)
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As the second film in John Carpenter’s “Apocalypse Trilogy”, the prince of darkness follows a priest and a group of quantum physics students as they encounter Satan in the form of a sentient green liquid that takes control of anyone it touches. Unlike most demonic possession movies, this one combines science and religion to create an intriguing and thought-provoking idea of how God and the Devil could exist.
Carpenter’s fans Thing will undoubtedly see similarities in both of these films, which, along with the performances of Donald Pleasance and Alice Cooper, make this cosmic horror worth watching.
society (1989)
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This underrated horror comedy follows a troubled teenager who believes his wealthy family is part of a murderous sex cult. While this film may be undermined by B-movie acting and humor, it still has a unique and surprising story with a clever commentary on the upper class that feels even more relevant today. Also, the film’s shocking third act features some of the most realistic and grotesque body horror effects you’ll ever see.
Re-Animator (1985)
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Based on a short story by HP Lovecraft, this horror film follows two scientists who experiment with a neon green serum that can revive dead bodies, which of course has dire consequences when used on human corpses in a vein Five Sematary and Frankenstein.
It can look cheesy and over the top at times, but thanks to some killer practical effects and a terrifying score inspired by Psycho, Re-Animator it retains a classic horror feel that should satisfy die-hard fans of the genre.
Entity (1982)
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Unlike the other films on this list, Entity it’s actually based on a true story. Entity follows a single mother with a traumatic past who is haunted and sexually abused by an invisible, extradimensional force. Although not as popular as similar classics The exorcist or Poltergeist, is still a visceral and nightmarish depiction of trauma and how it can continue to manifest in one’s life, elevated by Barbara Hershey’s outstanding performance. Even director Martin Scorsese called it one of the scariest movies of all time, which should make any cinephile want to see it in person.
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn