All genres wax and wain in popularity. Slapstick comedy was big in the 20s, came back in the 70s, and now is hardly ever seen. Adventure films were huge in the 1940s, fell off in the 1950s, and came back in the 70s. A more recent example is the Disaster Movie trend of the 1990s, which dissapeared after only 5 years, but scattered films still show up. Hollywood runs in cycles of popularity, and people will see what's avaliable. But there are still good true Sci-Fi showing up, like Solaris a couple years back.

I love "Starship Troopers" and "The Last Starfighter"...
The other space sci-fi movies mentioned I consider disaster movies, and I think disaster movies ABSOLUTELY BLOW. The upcoming "Day After Tomorrow" doesn't interest me at all, and Armageddon, Deep Impact, Volcano, Dante's Peak, etc. are all TERRIBLE. I do like the whole Alien series, and both Predator movies, etc.
Star Wars Episode I was a bit of a letdown, but Episode II was a large improvement, and I eagerly await the new DVD's as long as they aren't too digitally botched (anyone who has details on the changes on the DVD's should post them).

Tim,

John and I will be visiting your home shortly. We will not leave until you agree with us that "Starship Troopers" is a good movie. :@

Eddie

You forgot "Starship Troopers" . . . talk about a movie that sucked! :.(

With the exception of Josh (who started this thread), I think all of us lost sight of the fact that we were supposed to be discussing outer-space sci-fi, not sci-fi in general. Oops! :p

Of course, TGP, you're absolutely right that sci-fi is not dead. However, space sagas are on the wane. No one cared for "Lost in Space" (that it sucked didn't help its cause). "Armageddon" and "Deep Impact" don't really count because they're meant to be "realistic" sci-fi. That really leaves us with "Star Trek" as a standard bearer, and it's a franchise that has seen better days. (I don't count "Star Wars" because that series is a self-contained phenomenon. Movies inspired by it--like "Wing Commander" and "The Last Starfighter"--haven't been financially successful.)

In regards to Next-Gen Star Trek movies, I LOVE them. "First Contact" was one of the top 5 best of all Trek movies. Sci-fi is NOT dying. There will always be a fanbase for it, and there is always a groundbreaker around the time that people say that it is failing. You saw what "The Matrix" did, and films like "Minority Report", "A.I.", "Star Wars", or even "Dune" and "Flash Gordon" will always have a broad range of sci-fi to please any given audience. I have high hopes for "I, Robot" and "AVP" and I will always love/support sci-fi. I didn't like "Mission to Mars" because it was boring and never engaged my attention. "Sphere" was okay but it was identical to the book, even dialogue was directly copied. "Event Horizon" was visually amazing and slightly scary but the final product was less than the sun of it's parts. I really love sci-fi films like "Minority Report", "Dark City", and even "The Matrix" and its sequels. I liked V and V: The Final Battle miniseries and I LOVE 2001: A Space Odyssey. Many claim that it is boring, but it is very artistic, powerful and epic. If you didn't understand it than read the book because it clears up a lot. The book and film should be sold together.
Anyway, sci-fi/fantasy will always have a special place in my heart. I grew up with Star Trek, Star Wars and The Terminator films. Although they were made before I was born, my Dad loved them and exposed me to them, and I loved them too. I like many sci-fi fantasy books too, like Michael Crichton, H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, etc. I love using the imagination, what can I say?

Gee, thanks. :p

B-5: SF Macro series. Developed characters with attitude and
their own agenda **who play for keeps**!

Ice Pirates was one of two I ever walked out on. :@

TRON!
I didn't really like "Nemesis".

I heard everyone is dragon their latest fantasy out of the closet,
thinking they are going to make the next LOTR -- HA!!!

Isn't it time that "Voyager" is brought to the silver screen?

"John,

I consider YOU to be sci-fi, though."

So, the secret is out. I suppose we won't be hearing from you ever again Eddie....

[/cue The X-Files theme]

John,

I consider YOU to be sci-fi, though. :D

Eddie