11 “smart” science fiction films that even scientists are ready to believe

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Science fiction films have long and firmly taken one of the leading places in popularity with viewers. But lately, people appreciate much more pure fantasies of creators “clever fiction”, with a well-thought-out plot without particularly gross violations of the well-known laws of physics. In our today's review, we propose to find out how scientists relate to science fiction films, and which representatives of the genre deserve the closest attention.

The Day the Earth Stood Still, USA, 1951 and Independence Day, USA, 1996

According to astronomer Philip Plait, the story of an alien arriving on Earth is a must-see for all science fiction lovers. The scientist calls this film the best morality story in cinema.

And the author of the book "Bad Astronomy" calls the painting "Independence Day" dynamic and funny, but absolutely funny from a scientific point of view. Fortunately, the scientist does not evaluate films only from a professional point of view, which allows him to enjoy, abstracting from science.

The Terminator, USA, 1984 and The Matrix, USA, 1999

Astrophysicist and planetarium director Neil DeGrasse Tyson finds the film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger frighteningly believable and captivating thanks to its beautiful plot, which is expertly woven into intelligent machines, time travel and many small but very important details.

The scientist calls "The Matrix" his favorite film, which he watches without distraction for a second from the very moment when the opening credits start showing. Despite the fact that Neil DeGrasse Tyson is aware of the fantastic nature of the presented world, in his opinion, the authors managed to create such an atmosphere that every viewer feels like a part of what is happening.

The Man Who Fell to Earth, UK 1976

Professor at the University of Manchester, physicist Brian Cox considers the film by Nicholas Rogue with the participation of David Bowie a real challenge to our entire society. And I’m even ready to enjoy watching this picture again and again instead of saving humanity.

"War of the Worlds", USA, 1953

Senior astronomer for the search for extraterrestrial civilizations Seth Shostak says that the idea of the emergence of life, developing in another world and other conditions, seems to him very interesting and has the right to exist.

Blade Runner, USA, Hong Kong, UK, 1982

According to the London scientist, stem cell biologist Stephen Minger, Ridley Scott's film can rightfully be called the best in all respects. The scientist attributes, first of all, the rightly posed questions to the advantages of the picture and considers the film adaptation of Philip K. Dick's story "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" ahead of time and history.

"Alien", USA, 1979

Space physiologist Kevin Fong refers to Ridley Scott's film as a good example of what actually awaits people living and working in space. And this is not at all about the introduction of "aliens" into the human body, but about how astronauts can live during long flights. Sweat and dirt are unchanged, bouts of claustrophobia and long periods of idleness, followed by moments of the most real animal horror.

Interstellar, USA, 2014

Columbia University professor, theoretical physicist Brian Green admits with a slight irony that traveling to the future does not contradict the laws of physics, but in fact is too difficult to implement. And the search for a "wormhole" that allows one to get into the past, as presented in the film, seems to him a process that is the reverse of a journey into the future. However, the scientist just likes the film for its non-standard ideas.

Fantastic Four, USA, Germany, UK, 2015 and Forbidden Planet, USA, 1956

The presenter of documentary programs and theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, despite negative reviews about the film by Josh Trunk, considers the picture based on more than real science. It's just that quantum physics is not yet well understood, but its possibilities are almost endless. At the same time, the scientist adds that Fantastic Four is a good reminder that the line between science and fiction is often thinner than one might imagine.

One of his favorite films, Michio Kaku calls "Forbidden Planet" by Fred M. Wilcox. The scientist tries not to pay attention to the violation of the laws of physics by the creators of the picture, and considers its main advantage to be the opportunity to think about a civilization ahead of ours by a whole million years.

Unlike science fiction films, popular science books should be of practical use to a person, and the research conducted by the authors can relate not only to science, but also help a person solve pressing problems and provide answers to complex questions about the world order. We invite our readers to get acquainted with the best popular science books of the last half century according to The Guardian magazine.