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Ridley Scott, at the age of 87, continues to amaze audiences with his prolific output, resembling the legendary filmmakers of the Golden Age, such as John Ford and Alfred Hitchcock, who produced films annually. With four projects currently in development—including The Dog Stars, a Bee Gees biopic, Gladiator III, and a new installment of Alien—Scott shows no signs of slowing down.
He is widely celebrated for his contributions to the science fiction genre, often citing the original Star Wars as a catalyst for his creative journey. Reflecting on his decision to pivot from planning Tristan & Isolde, Scott remarked, “How could I be doing Tristan & Isolde when this guy (George Lucas) does this?” He attributes significant influence to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey as well, and it is evident that his works continue to inspire emerging filmmakers. Below is a ranking of Scott’s films within the sci-fi genre.
5
‘Alien Covenant’ (2017)
Release Date: May 19, 2017
Runtime: 123 Minutes
Prequel(s): Aliens
Set in the year 2104, Alien: Covenant follows the spaceship Covenant, which is transporting 2,000 colonists and 1,140 human embryos in cryogenic stasis to the colonizable Planet Origae-6. After an incident onboard leads to the captain’s death, the ship’s new captain decides to divert to a nearby planet after receiving a human-like signal, a decision that proves to be disastrous.
The Least Impactful in the Alien Franchise
Scott’s connection to the Alien franchise, which began with the iconic 1979 film, remains strong decades later. While Covenant features an evocative score by Jed Kurzel and Scott’s signature tension-building techniques, it offers little innovation beyond its predecessors. The film’s characters often make illogical choices, such as unnecessarily separating during crises or disregarding safety protocols, which detracts from viewer engagement.
4
‘Prometheus’ (2012)
Release Date: June 8, 2012
Runtime: 124 Minutes
Initially intended to be a collaborative effort between Scott and James Cameron, Prometheus ultimately thrived as Scott’s solo vision. The film tells the story of the crew aboard the spacecraft Prometheus, which journeys to LV-223 seeking clues about the ancient alien race known as the Engineers, believed to have created humanity. The explorers encounter unexpected perils, including deadly infections and mutations.
Exploring Alternative Origins
Visually stunning and thematically complex, Prometheus earned an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects, reflecting its groundbreaking technical achievements. The film offers an alternate exploration of humanity’s origins, appealing to both intellectual audiences and those drawn to thrilling cinema through its shocking imagery, including a striking surgery scene involving the character Shaw. Despite some criticisms regarding dialogue, the film was praised for its ambition; Cameron himself expressed admiration for Scott’s return to the sci-fi genre.
3
‘The Martian’ (2015)
Release Date: October 2, 2015
Runtime: 2h 24m
Based on Andy Weir’s acclaimed novel, The Martian features Matt Damon as Mark Watney, an astronaut left stranded on Mars after a dust storm. Presumed dead by his crew during their escape, Watney’s struggle for survival focuses on his ingenuity as he attempts to communicate with NASA and grow food using Martian soil.
Celebrated as a Lost-in-Space Classic
Regarded as one of the most scientifically accurate space survival films, The Martian stands out for its emphasis on creativity over action. With NASA’s James L. Green advising during production, the film expresses a beautiful narrative of resilience and hope, highlighted through Watney’s resourceful gardening efforts. Nominated for seven Oscars, the film resonates deeply with themes of isolation and determination amidst adversity.
2
‘Blade Runner’ (1982)
Release Date: June 25, 1982
Runtime: 117 minutes
Sequel(s): Blade Runner 2049
In Blade Runner, set in a dystopian 2019, bioengineered beings known as Replicants pose a significant threat, leading to their banishment from Earth. When four Replicants return, former police officer Rick Deckard is summoned to eradicate them, leading to momentous revelations.
A Milestone in Sci-Fi Film History
Despite its initial mixed reception, Blade Runner has since gained acclaim as a seminal work of sci-fi cinema, influencing discussions about the implications of bioengineering. With its noir aesthetic, the film is often regarded as a cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre, drawing attention to Philip K. Dick’s original narrative from which the film is adapted. Its success has sparked greater interest in Dick’s other works.
1
‘Alien’ (1979)
Release Date: May 25, 1979
Runtime: 117 minutes
Writers: Dan O’Bannon
Alien follows the crew of the Nostromo, who respond to a distress signal from a desolate planet. Their fateful exploration leads to a brutal confrontation with a lethal alien creature. Led by the resilient Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the crew’s fight for survival becomes a hallmark of horror and sci-fi cinema.
A Pinnacle of Cinematic Brilliance
Weaver’s performance and the film’s skilled direction exemplify the heights of genre filmmaking. With its profound themes surrounding human curiosity and survival instinct, Alien has transcended its initial reception to emerge as one of the greatest horror-sci-fi films ever made, garnering an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and further elevating Scott’s status as a master of the genre.
Source
movieweb.com