After writing about Mister X in my last post I felt inclined to promote some of my favourite Utopia/Dystopia themed movies. There are of course plenty others out there that are excellent films but these, for me, are must-see movies as they each have an element about them which is fantastic.
Twelve Monkeys (1995)
Directed by the insane clock-work cluttered mind of Terry Gilliam, Twelve Monkeys sees a criminal from a dystopian future (Bruce Willis) travel through time to discover the mysterious identity of the Twelve Monkeys and their link to the virus which wiped out most of the world's population. This is probably Brad Pitt's finest on screen moment. He makes the movie pure gold. Although there aren't many glimpses of the future dystopian world, what we do see is enough to make it clear that life there is not a pleasant one.
Directed by the insane clock-work cluttered mind of Terry Gilliam, Twelve Monkeys sees a criminal from a dystopian future (Bruce Willis) travel through time to discover the mysterious identity of the Twelve Monkeys and their link to the virus which wiped out most of the world's population. This is probably Brad Pitt's finest on screen moment. He makes the movie pure gold. Although there aren't many glimpses of the future dystopian world, what we do see is enough to make it clear that life there is not a pleasant one.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Christopher Nolan's last installment of his franchise reboot of Batman, The Dark Knight Rises sees the monstrous Bane unleash true terror on the citizens of Gotham. His aim is to create a dystopian society and well, he pulls it off. Gotham is in chaos with the people's court other-throwing the rich and upper class in true 'Animal Farm' fashion. This is a great example of the utopian problem that is known as humanity.
Christopher Nolan's last installment of his franchise reboot of Batman, The Dark Knight Rises sees the monstrous Bane unleash true terror on the citizens of Gotham. His aim is to create a dystopian society and well, he pulls it off. Gotham is in chaos with the people's court other-throwing the rich and upper class in true 'Animal Farm' fashion. This is a great example of the utopian problem that is known as humanity.
Demolition Man (1993)
I love this film. Partly because it has Sandra Bullock in it and partly because of Sly's classic lines. This society is a classic Utopia. A perfect world with one flaw... it's too perfect. People have lost their free will and rebelled and so how do you solve a problem like this? Engineer a madman (Wesley Snipes) to be even madder and then let him loose on the city. This Utopia world is a proper cheesy (Joy-Joy!) one that reflects a worrying possibility of the years to come (Taco Bell becoming the only restaurant in the world).
I love this film. Partly because it has Sandra Bullock in it and partly because of Sly's classic lines. This society is a classic Utopia. A perfect world with one flaw... it's too perfect. People have lost their free will and rebelled and so how do you solve a problem like this? Engineer a madman (Wesley Snipes) to be even madder and then let him loose on the city. This Utopia world is a proper cheesy (Joy-Joy!) one that reflects a worrying possibility of the years to come (Taco Bell becoming the only restaurant in the world).
Planet of the Apes (1968)
What I enjoy most about this absolute classic is the constant theme that Apes are superior to Man. Apes do not kill other Apes and their society works in harmony with each specie assigned to a particular field. Along comes Charlton Heston and he completely ruins their great civilisations doctrine by talking. These films show a great insight into the cold war/nuclear fears of the 60's as well as the eventual idea in Battle for the Planet of the Apes that peace can be achieved between Man and Ape.
What I enjoy most about this absolute classic is the constant theme that Apes are superior to Man. Apes do not kill other Apes and their society works in harmony with each specie assigned to a particular field. Along comes Charlton Heston and he completely ruins their great civilisations doctrine by talking. These films show a great insight into the cold war/nuclear fears of the 60's as well as the eventual idea in Battle for the Planet of the Apes that peace can be achieved between Man and Ape.
Escape from LA (1996)
John Carpenter explores the ideas of Christians ruling America in this late 90's film. LA has become a prison colony for anyone (much like in Demolition Man) that enjoys the odd cigarette, beer, steak, gun, swear word or pagan ritual. Snake Pissken (Kurt Russell) is sent into the Island to stop the inhabitants from using a super weapon they stole. As he travels through the land of oz he meets the scarecrow, the tinman and the transsexual. The ending opens up questions and ideas that were definitely prominent in the minds of such people as James Cameron when he wrote Dark Angel.
John Carpenter explores the ideas of Christians ruling America in this late 90's film. LA has become a prison colony for anyone (much like in Demolition Man) that enjoys the odd cigarette, beer, steak, gun, swear word or pagan ritual. Snake Pissken (Kurt Russell) is sent into the Island to stop the inhabitants from using a super weapon they stole. As he travels through the land of oz he meets the scarecrow, the tinman and the transsexual. The ending opens up questions and ideas that were definitely prominent in the minds of such people as James Cameron when he wrote Dark Angel.
Equilibrium (2002)
Apart from Sean Bean exiting way to early (like in Golden Eye, and Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones and... oh Sean) this film is a great little action packed imagination of a forced utopia which inevitably must become a dystopia when people realise what is being done to them. The idea of The Father and the burning of items gives a real Nazi feel to this movie.
Apart from Sean Bean exiting way to early (like in Golden Eye, and Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones and... oh Sean) this film is a great little action packed imagination of a forced utopia which inevitably must become a dystopia when people realise what is being done to them. The idea of The Father and the burning of items gives a real Nazi feel to this movie.
Logan's Run (1976)
This has to be one of my favourite films of all time. Despite his stuck jaw like speech and rubbery skin, Michael York is a legend. This film also stars Jenny Agutter wearing skimpy outfits and at one point flashing her bits during a quick clothes change. It is nothing like the book but the concept of kulling the population of a society at a certain age is really shown well in this movie. I partly blame this film for the Unclassified grade I received during my General Studies AS exam as I used it as a possible solution when discussing population control.
This has to be one of my favourite films of all time. Despite his stuck jaw like speech and rubbery skin, Michael York is a legend. This film also stars Jenny Agutter wearing skimpy outfits and at one point flashing her bits during a quick clothes change. It is nothing like the book but the concept of kulling the population of a society at a certain age is really shown well in this movie. I partly blame this film for the Unclassified grade I received during my General Studies AS exam as I used it as a possible solution when discussing population control.
V for Vendetta (2005)
I know that Alan Moore isn't happy with any of his series being made into films but I personally love this film. The acting is outstanding and the story is well paced. The scary thing is that the UK portrayed could quite easily be a reality if certain extremists groups got their way. The most amazing thing to come from this whole concept is the fact that it has probably reawakened the 'Guy Fawkes' rebellious nature in a lot of British people.
I know that Alan Moore isn't happy with any of his series being made into films but I personally love this film. The acting is outstanding and the story is well paced. The scary thing is that the UK portrayed could quite easily be a reality if certain extremists groups got their way. The most amazing thing to come from this whole concept is the fact that it has probably reawakened the 'Guy Fawkes' rebellious nature in a lot of British people.
Serenity (2005)
Joss Whedon's Firefly can often get overlooked for its core theme but it is the defining element of the series and film. Every action of the Alliance is to make a better world and in the film we truly learn to what extent they will go to create their Utopia. Again, Free Will plays a demanding role and manifests itself in the avatar human form of Captain Malcolm Reynolds.
Joss Whedon's Firefly can often get overlooked for its core theme but it is the defining element of the series and film. Every action of the Alliance is to make a better world and in the film we truly learn to what extent they will go to create their Utopia. Again, Free Will plays a demanding role and manifests itself in the avatar human form of Captain Malcolm Reynolds.
The Island (2005)
This has Black Widow and Obi-Wan Kenobi in it, do you need any other reason?
Inspired by Logan's Run, we see a Utopian (Dollhouse-like) community which seems like it is a positive thing until we learn the painful and bitter truth. A great film that again revisits the ideas of Utopia and that the human condition of curiosity can never let an outwardly appearing good thing be.
This has Black Widow and Obi-Wan Kenobi in it, do you need any other reason?
Inspired by Logan's Run, we see a Utopian (Dollhouse-like) community which seems like it is a positive thing until we learn the painful and bitter truth. A great film that again revisits the ideas of Utopia and that the human condition of curiosity can never let an outwardly appearing good thing be.
Those are some of my favourite Utopian themed films and I really do recommend watching them if you haven't already. If you have any others you want to suggest then please leave a comment below. Oh, one final thing... never never ever ever never ever watch Idiocracy. That is 84 minutes of my life I will never get back and it would have been far better had I wasted them all on watching 'I'm a snake!' on YouTube repeatedly.
- Thom
- Thom
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