In “The Imagination of Disaster”, Susan Sontag explores the significance of the affects that science fiction movies have on society. Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that typically deals with the imaginative concepts of futuristic science and technology such as time travel, parallel universes, space travel, and extraterrestrial life. The author states, “science fiction films are not about science; they are about disaster, which is one of the oldest subjects of art. In science fiction films, disaster is rarely viewed intensively, it is always extensive” (Sontag 44). Sontag analyzes the fascinating science fiction genre and explores the idea of society’s fears being played out through films. She explains. “These films reflect
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To create these movies generally requires a major alteration of the environment, a filmmaker with bold imagination and one not afraid to take risks. These films are complete with heroes, distant planets, impossible quests, improbable settings, and unknown and inexplicable forces. Science fiction films normalize our fears to a level with which we can cope. By watching these fantasies play out, we become accustomed to the danger. Movies are primarily meant to be entertaining, but they can also bring about change for the better in our world. The author states, “In the one case, fantasy beautifies the world. In the other, it neutralizes it”. Special effects assist in making a film more visually spectacular. They are a manifestation of our imagination, and if done well, can provide us with mental images that may enrich our view of the world. But no matter how good special effects are, they can’t on their own create a good film; this requires a good story and skilled actors. Special effects are merely a supplement to this, enhancing the visual audio …show more content…
When an alien mothership enters Earth’s atmosphere and unleashes a wave of smaller ships that destroys major landmarks and most military bases around the world, a small band of survivors finds themselves becoming humanity’s last hope. “Emmerich and producer and co-writer Dean Devlin present a visually slick, fast-paced adventure filled with expensive special effects and large-scale action sequences. As the story begins, many on Earth were eager to greet the visitors with open arms, looking forward to the first positive contact with alien life. Unfortunately, these extraterrestrials have not come in peace, and they unleash powerful weapons that destroy most of the world's major cities”. The heroes of the story unite to deliver a virus which cripples the alien fleet and gravity pulls them from the
To create these movies generally requires a major alteration of the environment, a filmmaker with bold imagination and one not afraid to take risks. These films are complete with heroes, distant planets, impossible quests, improbable settings, and unknown and inexplicable forces. Science fiction films normalize our fears to a level with which we can cope. By watching these fantasies play out, we become accustomed to the danger. Movies are primarily meant to be entertaining, but they can also bring about change for the better in our world. The author states, “In the one case, fantasy beautifies the world. In the other, it neutralizes it”. Special effects assist in making a film more visually spectacular. They are a manifestation of our imagination, and if done well, can provide us with mental images that may enrich our view of the world. But no matter how good special effects are, they can’t on their own create a good film; this requires a good story and skilled actors. Special effects are merely a supplement to this, enhancing the visual audio …show more content…
When an alien mothership enters Earth’s atmosphere and unleashes a wave of smaller ships that destroys major landmarks and most military bases around the world, a small band of survivors finds themselves becoming humanity’s last hope. “Emmerich and producer and co-writer Dean Devlin present a visually slick, fast-paced adventure filled with expensive special effects and large-scale action sequences. As the story begins, many on Earth were eager to greet the visitors with open arms, looking forward to the first positive contact with alien life. Unfortunately, these extraterrestrials have not come in peace, and they unleash powerful weapons that destroy most of the world's major cities”. The heroes of the story unite to deliver a virus which cripples the alien fleet and gravity pulls them from the