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Early 90s Science Fiction Oldies

Ts

(Romanian)

1990 would be a “chronological” point of entry into the true youth of the “Science Fiction” “image”. An image that manifests itself increases “multimedia”, leaving the “narrow” terrain of the written book (concerning all “printed manifestation” species) to manifest visually significantly through cinematography, television series, video games (and any “species” associated therewith).

For cinematography, it is the year of films like „Dances with Wolves”, „Goodfellas”, „Home Alone”, „Dick Tracy”, „Ghost” or „Pretty Woman”… And, why not, even “The Witches”…

But even if no new “ideas” or themes emerged, it’s obvious that Total Recall is the 1990’s Sci-Fi movie, becoming an iconic achievement that left a strong mark on the genre.

We are talking about a movie that belongs to the Cyberpunk genre “connected” to “Space Sci-Fi” but is also quite Dystopian (in addition to “Adventure” and the “Action” movie character) which is based on a short story by the famous writer Philip K. Dick, “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale”.

The film is directed by Dutchman Paul Verhoeven, known for his strong visual style and complex thematic approach, managing to capture the dystopian spirit while adding to his spectacular visual vision.

The film is full of memorable action sequences, from chases through futuristic cities to battles on Mars, and the special effects, although they don’t seem so advanced today, were innovative for their time and helped to create a believable and immersive atmosphere.

Also, in the “Cyberpunk” area is “Robocop 2” (whose “initiating” line, represented by the first Robocop film made in 1987, also belongs to the director Paul Verhoeven), also made this year, 1990.

Another memorable film of 1990 (providing a unique and memorable cinematic experience) is “Back to the Future Part III”, which continues the already famous successful series (being the last part of a trilogy that perfectly combines the elements of science fiction, comedy, and adventure), considered to be a gem of “Sci-Fi” cinema (discussed in previous episodes).

The continuation of another successful film is “Predator 2” (which belongs to the genre “Sci-Fi Dystopia” and “Aliens”), being an interesting experiment that expanded the Predator universe but did not have the same impact as the first movie.

However, it introduced elements that became characteristic of the franchise, such as the Predator’s trophies and its improved design.

Aliens also “appear” in the films “Spaced Invaders” or “Dark Angel”, (also known as I Come in Peace), science fiction action films that combine elements of thriller and horror, offering viewers an intense cinematic experience.

For example, “Dark Angel” introduces a particularly creepy alien antagonist, a bounty hunter who procures high-quality synthetic drugs from human brains, with a bizarre appearance that, combined with his superhuman strength and lethal weapon, makes him one of the most memorable aliens in cinema.

The film combines elements from several genres, such as science fiction, action, thriller, and even horror, creating a unique cinematic experience.

Then there would be a remarkable Dystopia represented by “The Handmaid’s Tale” directed by Volker Schlöndorff and with a memorable performance by Natasha Richardson.

It is a film adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel (released in 1985) that depicts a totalitarian society, Gilead, where women are reduced to reproductive roles and subjected to an oppressive regime, offering a terrifying and realistic picture of a world where women’s rights are completely nullified and fertility is controlled by a religious elite (constitutes a scathing critique of religious fundamentalism, totalitarianism, and gender inequality).

The film’s message remains relevant today, in a world where women’s rights are still violated in many parts of the globe.

The novel, or “and” the film, attracted over time a steady increase in interest in the universe created by Margaret Atwood, and thus in 2017 the television series The Handmaid’s Tale, produced by Hulu, was launched, which registered a resounding success (compared to the series’ previous achievements by exploring in detail the lives of the characters and offering an even sharper social and political critique), winning numerous awards, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

But “in the background”, is the everyday reality, where one can discuss a period marked by the growth of extremism and attacks on women’s rights, the theme of the series resonated strongly, little by little, with the public.

Also, in addition to the 1990 film adaptation and television series, the universe created by Margaret Atwood has also inspired other artistic projects, such as plays, works of visual art, and even video games.

The combination of “Sci-Fi” and “Cyberpunk” also gives remarkable results through the film “Hardware”, a British sci-fi horror directed by Richard Stanley, which has managed to carve a special place in the hearts of fans of the genre. suspense, set in a post-apocalyptic future where technology turns against its creators.

Although it was made at a time when digital special effects were not as advanced as they are today, ingenious practical effects are used to create a visceral and compelling look.

Then there would be “Class of 1999”, which gives us a dystopian view of education, presenting a future where violence in schools has reached alarming proportions and the authorities decide to introduce robot teachers programmed to maintain order at all costs (an idea that creates a tense and challenging scenario that questions the limits of technology and authority).

“Terminal City Ricochet” is a Canadian film, directed by Zale Dalen, a dystopian satire that offers an acid critique of consumer society and the influence of television on the masses.

“Peacemaker” is another “B” (low-budget) alien film directed by Kevin Tenney (known for his horror films such as Night of the Demons and Witchboard), where the plot focuses on a doctor who becomes involved in a conflict between two aliens facing off on Earth.

Its “benefits” from practical special effects (a bit rudimentary by today’s standards), a simple but engaging story, and slightly eccentric characters, providing plenty of opportunities for action scenes and thrilling chases.

“Shadowzone” is a (B-grade) movie directed by J.S. Cardone, a science fiction horror movie that explores the theme of interdimensional travel and its unexpected consequences, offering an interesting combination of elements of horror and mystery, in a scientific setting.

“Moon 44” (Space Prison — a B-movie) is a prequel to the success of director Roland Emmerich, later known for blockbusters such as “Independence Day” and “2012”, being an early foray into the world of science fiction for this director. It is interesting to note how this film influenced his vision of the future and the sci-fi themes he explored later in his career.

The “post-apocalyptic” action takes place in the year 2038, in a future where the Earth’s resources are exhausted, and people are fighting for survival, exploiting the resources of other planets and satellites, combining elements of science fiction, action, and even westerns.

And, for 1990, the films „The Dark Side of the Moon”, „Crash and Burn”, „Dr. M”, „Circuitry Man” and „Solar Crisis” would complete a kind of picture of this year in which the productions of the “science fiction” genre are starting to be increasingly present and interesting.

Now, a few words about the television series of 1990… A year in which the market for television series was fiercely competitive, which is why the “Science Fiction” series of this year is less known.

However, “Jupiter Moon” (1990–1996, 150 30-minute episodes) is a British science fiction television series that captivated audiences with its story of life aboard a spaceship (Ilea) serving as a university, orbiting Jupiter, exploring themes of friendship, love, rivalry, and self-discovery in a unique and isolated environment.

Unlike many sci-fi series that focus on action and spectacular special effects, Jupiter Moon focuses on interpersonal relationships and character development, combining elements of science fiction, drama, and even soap operas, thus providing a varied and interesting viewing experience.

Or the series “Not with a Bang” (7 episodes of 30 minutes) in which all humanity disappears, leaving only a small group, with only one woman, not forgetting “Super Force” (1990–1992, 48 episodes of 30 minutes) which stars a former astronaut who, after losing his brother, becomes a vigilante equipped with an advanced exoskeleton, a combination of technology and justice that was very popular with action fans.

And that’s enough for this episode, following the approach to video games and the written book of 1990…

Merticaru Dorin Nicolae

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