Depth丨This hardcore sci-fi film is too superficial

Zella 2022-12-31 23:17:29

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Author: Ma Xinrui
Double Master of Peking University, Bachelor and Double Degree of Communication University of China
Member of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles Critics Association
Senior filmmaker, editor in charge, screenwriter

Someone once said that the end of the 20th century was an era of fables + predictions , and it was also a manifestation of " eschatology ". Human beings always fantasized about being able to swim in the underwater world, not just satisfied with Haidilao in their mouths; dreaming of being able to take a spaceship , to explore the mysteries of outer space and experience the life of aliens, which makes sci-fi movies carry more added value and give more creative meaning.

Such sci-fi movies include "Doomsday", "Future Water World", "The Courier", "Metropolis", "Alpha City", "Blade Runner", "annihilation" , etc. Most of them are presented in the form of disaster films. It tells the story of how human beings survive after disasters, or how human beings, through wisdom and courage, are tested, regrouped, and look for a better future in times of disaster.

A Hollywood blockbuster "Super Titan" , which was recently released in theaters , broke through the pattern of traditional sci-fi films and told a story that reshaped human vital signs and challenged the limit of human physical ability .

The whole film revolves around the word " super power ", and in a more crazy and ironic way, tells how human beings with endless desires are destroyed by the monsters they created.

As the transformation of human "experimental body" - transfer various biological enzymes and gene recombination , and continuously realize the evolution of human life.

The story tells that due to the greed and unrestrainedness of human beings, after a few decades, the earth will no longer be able to have a benign living environment , which forces scientists to start exploring the world beyond the horizon.

They set their sights on the vast outer space , and found that perhaps in the near future, by modifying human genes , they can adapt to and survive on the planet- Titan .

However, the living conditions of Titan are extremely harsh, which requires the transformation and remodeling of human beings and the acceleration of various functions of human evolution.

When we saw that the male protagonist's hand was transformed into the shape of a duck's flippers , we were shocked!

He had to take off his wife's wedding ring.

Then there were special functions such as skin shedding, eating ice cubes, abnormal body temperature so that they could hibernate in Antarctica , and visionary vision .

Finally one day, he has completely evolved into a future man who surpasses "Avatar" !

Degenerated eyebrows, face and body deformities, palms that extend with multiple archery-like fingers, bat-like arms, and shoulders wide enough to spread their wings.

Most of the experimental subjects died unexpectedly in the middle of the journey. As the few remaining experimental subjects, their alienation from their loved ones, their doubts about their own bodies, and their fear of migrating to Titan became more and more obvious.

Everyone is also thinking about whether the future people who have been evolved live in an unknown planet should live a life of enjoyment, or will they be immersed in cruel transformation and self-evolution forever.

Maybe the movie is throwing a prophecy:

Humans ultimately want to survive completely, and there is only one choice, evolution or extinction.

But the film also shows that human beings have an instinctive resistance to genetic recombination and physical evolution.

The advancement of science and technology bears the consequence that although it is benefiting mankind, it seems to be destroying mankind at the same time.

The film reveals that in the process of being transformed into future people, human beings have become more and more mechanical and cold-blooded , while human family affection, human exclusivity and love for life gradually become insignificant .

In the setting of the relationship between the characters, the movie is very clear about love and hate .

Scientists who conduct experiments on human beings represent the greedy desires of modern people. They want the ultimate, and they just want to get unlimited requests. They violate all kinds of laws, make the unattainable become a reality, and ultimately destroy the human ecological environment.

The male protagonist and the male protagonist's family, his wife and children represent the noble human beings who can give up small love for the sake of great love.

The sniper team leader of the army and the conscientious medical staff in the scientific laboratory represent the masses with a sense of justice at all times.

Human beings indiscriminately use various genes to adjust and recombine human biological genes . Is it in the interests of human beings, or is it destroying human beings and human emotions themselves?

At the end, there are more imaginative foreshadowings, so that human beings can view the status and role of science and technology in the future social development process in a more rational way.

It is often human beings who can avoid the catastrophe.

The cosmic field where human beings are located will encounter sudden disasters, such as typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes and other natural disasters, but in fact, the harm caused by human beings is far greater than the natural disasters themselves .

Protecting nature, respecting the laws of nature, and respecting the dignity of every living being and human being are the inspiration brought to us by "Super Titan".

The ultimate goal of human evolution in the future - "interstellar immigration"

As a great sci-fi movie, while making predictions, it also throws some thoughts on the audience.

For example, it is about human purification and transformation and human contemplation and reverie of the universe.

In the last shot at the end, when the mutated male advocate spreads his arms and spreads his wings like an eagle, it seems that the creator is using the superpowers of future people to build a brand new world for the audience.

Life is a grand "encounter", but none of us can "foresee" the future - cherishing and loving the present is the foundation.

In science fiction, the literary forms presented are roughly divided into two categories: one is the idealistic work of fantasy utopian style , and the second category is completely opposed to the utopian good life .

The former is an infinite expectation for a better future . People can completely control and manage themselves, and even control the entire earth and even everything in the universe. The continuous updating of science and technology brings unpredictable benefits to mankind.

The latter believes that the rapid development of science and technology presents a double-edged sword , and if not careful, it will bring a dark and terrible future to mankind .

Most sci-fi movies tend to be the second, that is, movies that have a sense of urgency and worry about the future of mankind .

Popular science terms such as the universe, outer space, and aliens all come from sci-fi movies that are full of curiosity and give humans infinite reverie.

Whether it is a nightmare or a beautiful dream in the future, the use of movies to create dreams seems to surpass any other art form, which makes science fiction movies use the science and technology that keeps pace with the times to perfectly integrate the art and technology of movies. Under the illusion, the two wings fly.

Because of this, the narrative of sci-fi movies puts forward higher requirements for creators-that is, forward- looking, innovative, and always foreseeable superpowers.

Throughout this type of works, we will find that the relationship between human nature and technology is often pessimistic. On the one hand, it shows the unpredictability of human beings about the future, and on the other hand, it is also people's dissatisfaction with the status quo of life, which is to release the soul. A form of fear.

Of course, the worship of technology (especially medical biotechnology) and the fantasy of alien planets will continue to heat up. I believe that the bold imagination and experimentation of science fiction movies will continue to create a miraculous future for the audience.

View more about The Titan reviews

Extended Reading

The Titan quotes

  • Prof. Martin Collingwood: Our population has grown out of control. Our environment is in decay. Our resources have been depleted. Wars have ravaged our planet. We are fighting over the scraps of what remains. In ten years, half the planet will be uninhabitable. In 15 years, half the world's population will have starved to death. Time is running out. We've outgrown our home. Our children will witness the end of days.

  • [first lines]

    Announcer: As nuclear fallout over the Pacific continues to fuel sandstorms over southern California. The last remaining pockets of residents were evacuated by the National Guard. The federal government, already struggling to keep up with flash floods in Long Beach and Venice, has declared Los Angeles uninhabitable.