What is Science Fiction? Although the term was coined in the 1920s, no comprehensive definition exists. Perhaps this is because science fiction’s canvas is the infinite universe of ideas and the imagination. It facilitates extrapolation from contemporary reality to paint new and fascinating realities – different worlds, different races, utopias, dystopias, far futures, alternative histories, parallel presents.
It is entirely appropriate that this popular literary genre should have grown and developed alongside the fledgling medium of film; its unique sense of wonder has been memorably translated to the screen many times down the years. The fact is, science fiction and cinema were made for each other. This book examines their intense love affair over the past century, from the glorious to the odious, the excellent to the execrable, the cathartic to the catastrophic.
As well as an introductory essay, the Pocket Essentials Guide to Science Fiction Films chronicles and discusses the vast spectrum of SF movies: from Metropolis to The Matrix; Things To Come to The Thing From Another World; Brazil to Blade Runner; Dark Star to Star Wars; 2001 to CE3K. Seminal films are analysed and rated. Turkeys are defeathered. Hollywood blockbusters, international flavours, experimental (space) oddities, low-budget curios, animation, humour, parody – no star is left unturned.
