"ID4" is a comedy, pure and simple, a parody of and tribute to the old sci-fi ficks of the fifties (but not so obvious as "Mars Attacks"). "Starship Troopers" is a war movie, propaganda and all. To me, the one is funny, the other fun. I don't consider either one of them as pure science fiction.

John

I think a couple of possibilities emerge if you're talking about waning interest in Sci-Fi space movies.

1. Effects- I think the general viewing public is becoming so savvy regarding CGI that it almost seems commonplace and boring. One of the things that made space movies such a draw was the "How did they do that" kind of wonder that came from special effects. With CGI spilling over into so many different films and almost every genre, I think rather than "How did they do that?" the moviegoing public says, "Oh, that's just CGI."

2. Realism- in the 70s, there was a bent toward gritty realism in movies. I think we are going through another one of those right now. Sure we're lenient when talking about fantastical movies such as the LOTR trilogy, but when it comes to concepts that we can or can almost grasp (i.e., space exploration), reality is essential for today's current audience. Heck, look at Batman Begins. People are ecstatic that the film seems to be going for a grittier, more realistic tone. He's a man in tights and a cape!

Of course, above all else is the necessity of a good story. Without that, you're dead in the water. Possibly for whatever reason, recent space movies just haven't hit the public on a universal level.

On the record: I too greatly enjoyed Nemesis. I thought it was a good action movie. Now I'm not a huge Trek fan, so I took it for what it was and left it at that. The Last Starfighter also holds a special place for me like a few of you other folks, Starship Troopers is one of the best WWII propaganda films ever made (a little late, mind you), and Aliens...well it's gonna be hard to ever top that.

I just think that right now if it's not completely outside of reality (LOTR, superhero movies) or completely submerged in reality (reality TV, crime/suspense dramas), you're in a tough spot. Like Justin said earlier, these things wax and wane. Soon enough you'll see a glut of space movies when the public decides its time to plunk down their hard-earned dough on the one that goes through the roof! ;)

Sean (mine's definitely not hard-earned, but it is hardly urned...)

Tim,

I didn't like "Independence Day", either, but "Starship Troopers" isn't meant to be viewed as one would most movies. It's a parody/satire/critique of fascism. It's not a badly-made movie--it's meant to be "bad", lol.

Eddie

Eddie,

you are too funny! :D

I didn't know John liked Starship Troopers as well. Doesn't mean I'll change my mind though. I remember when I saw that movie in the theatre years ago. I had a friend in college that wanted to skip our night class to see that movie for his second time. He draged me along, and after the show, I looked at him in disbelief and said, "you actually liked that garbage?"

The CGI was good, the acting was lame, and the plot was so cornball that it made me wish I had a bag of tomatoes to throw at the screen. And that pathetic ending with Doogie Houser, "I sense . . . fear!" wha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. . . what a freaking riot!!!! :D

Another one that John likes, that I found almost as bad as ST, is "Independence Day". I guess I was expecting something much more serious with that film, and instead got a campy and corny plot with really cool CGI. I think that Independence Day speech Pullman does has to be one of the corniest scenes ever in that past decade. Sad thing is though, I received this movie as a gift; therefore, I reluctantly own it. Oh, well. I do like it for the CGI, but that's about it. :p

Stargate....:):)....(The Movie)...:)

TGP, I believe that's from "Last Crusade".
NO TICKET!!!

Goosh-shtepping morons like you should be reading booksh inshtead of burning them!
(JK, sorry, I couldn't resist)

I'm still waiting for a Galaxy Quest sequel where Weaver wears a much more revealing outfit.

What about The Fifth Element and Stargate?

I like the "Voyager" series, at least the ones I've ever had a chance to see. I'd pay money to see a "Voyager" movie on the big screen. ;)

(Sean Connery: "Captain Janeway ish quite shexshy. Shesh in dire need of a good shpankin' ")

"Just like your father. He's as giddy as a school boy"
"He has chosen poorly"
"You were named after the dog?"
:D

"This is how we say good-bye in GERmany."