An air of excitement prevails as the New Year begins.
As THE FORCE AWAKENS hits the billion mark in record time, cinema-goers and fans across the world are anticipating even more thrills across the board in a year that could be crucial for the sci-fi genre, with no fewer than five key tentpoles about the hit the screens again amongst others Here is a special 2016 Sci-Fi preview of what’s on the horizon:
1) ROGUE ONE – A STAR WARS STORY
Where else to start?
Well, the true acid test of the re-boot that we have thrilled to over the last few weeks.
Felicity Jones stars, Gareth (GODZILLA, MONSTERS) Edwards directs in this story that chronicles the Rebels battle to secure the Death Star plans that were inside R2-D2 in A NEW HOPE. There is inevitably a little bit of trepidation as this is sort of a mid-film pre-boot, situated between REVENGE OF THE SITH and A NEW HOPE, but at the end of the day, after what we saw in EPISODE VII, we will forgive (just) anything the STAR WARS guys are going to do. No official trailer, but at the end of the day, we can wait….
2. INDEPENDENCE DAY – RESURGENCE
It seems like yesterday that Jeff Goldblum used his laptop to avert an alien disaster and admittedly, the original 1996 blockbuster utilised every sci-fi cliche and point of reference to steamroller all opposition in 1996, but we forgave it, as there was no better crowd-pleaser (the Odeon Leicester Square was an amazing place to be in the Summer of 1996) and that teaser in the Spring of the White House being obliterated (later spoofed in AUSTIN POWERS – THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME when Dr. Evil made a point about his ‘superlative power’) was something to behold.
The story focuses on how humanity has used the leftovers from the alien invasion to improve their defences, but as is the case, the aliens have something else up their sleeve…..
3. BATMAN V SUPERMAN – DAWN OF JUSTICE
The onus is now on the Dark Knight and the Caped Crusader, with a little bit of help from Wonder Woman, to deliver what fans hope will be a definitive reboot of the latter hero. From what I have seen so far of Messrs. Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill‘s collaboration, as they battle the world (and themselves), it could be as close to the Donner classic as we could expect. Some great imagery is there at present, but there is much riding on this film, which is set to challenge the Marvel supremacy personfied by AVENGERS etc. We shall see in March….
4. GHOSTBUSTERS
31 years after the original film emerged as a surprise and deserved hit, the new all-female version of the reboot (and some appearances by the original male cast) is about to take its bow on the big-screen. It will certainly be interesting to see how this film will fare. The original (and to a lesser extent the 1989 sequel) is much loved, song included, but Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy have more than proved their comedic chops with BRIDESMAIDS and SPY recently. Paul Feig is reliable in the director’s chair and has proved himself to be a competent director, so let’s give it the benefit of the doubt.
5. STAR TREK BEYOND
HAPPY 50TH TREKKIES!!!
Geeks and Sci-Fi fans are spoilt for choice with both the Force and Starfleet on show in 2016.
STAR TREK BEYOND has the potential to really go through the roof given that this will be the official 50th Anniversary party. This will be a nice bonus for JJ Abrams considering he has a finger in both this and the STAR WARS pie.
6. THE BLOB
Aside from INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, THE BLOB ranks as one of the best cult crowd-pleasers.
Both the 1958 original, which introduced a youthful Steve McQueen, and Chuck (NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3, ERASER) Russell‘s 1988 update are fondly remembered. The tale of an alien piece of jelly which shows its colours in small-town America has provided many thrills over the years. This new 21st Century version, which stars Samuel L. Jackson, is a very tasty concept, suggesting big fun in a beer-and-curry special.
7. DEADPOOL
It wouldn’t be a blockbuster year these days without yet another Marvel creation. This has a touch of the DARKMAN about it (Sam Raimi’s affectionate Marvel-esque homage from the early 1990s), but appears to be sending up the very universe it has been spawned from. Ryan Reynolds stars in the titular role.
8. THE 5TH WAVE
Chloe Grace Moretz is a young star in the mould of Jennifer Lawrence and Natalie Portman who is due a showcase of her own, given her presence in the likes of KICK-ASS. This seems to be, from first impressions of the trailer, another futuristic odyssey with a combination of visual and physical action, plus a die-hard, stay-alive female protagonist.
9. THE BFG (BIG FRIENDLY GIANT)
Steven Spielberg gets a shot at Roald Dahl, with a movie that looks set to be the cute blockbuster of 2016. Possibly with shades of BIGFOOT AND THE HENDERSONS and any number of Spielberg offerings precluding this one, you can expect lots of fun and laughs.
10. PASSENGERS
The final pick of 2016 is a sci-fi romance teaming Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence in what could be described as SLEEPER meets SILENT RUNNING, Pratt is a hibernating human woken up too early whilst on a journey to a distant planet who wants to feel less alone, so he wakes up a female passenger (Lawrence).
There is much potential in this film, but as is the case, we can never tell how this (and the other films) will play out come their releases.
There is such a huge variety of sci-fi films hitting our screen this year and whatever happens, there seems to be something on offer for everyone.
HAPPY 2016!!!
