Beyond ‘Back to the Future’: cult Sci-Fi Gems of 1985 Revisited
updated:
1985. The year Marty McFly zoomed into our collective consciousness with
back to the Future, a sci-fi juggernaut that grossed over $210 million
domestically. But beyond Zemeckis’ time-traveling triumph, 1985 spawned a
galaxy of other sci-fi films, some achieving cult status while others faded
into obscurity. Let’s take a closer look at some essential sci-fi movies
that dared to exist alongside Back to the Future.
Re-Animator
Stuart Gordon’s Re-Animator is not for the faint of heart. A
Lovecraftian horror show drenched in sci-fi B-movie charm, the film stars
Jeffrey Combs as herbert west, a medical student obsessed with bringing the
dead back to life.
Gordon’s genre know-how direction is all about embracing the
anything-goes, B-movie vibe of a sci-fi horror laced with a pitch-black
comedy.
The film’s practical effects are both impressive and gruesome,providing a
unique viewing experience. The film’s success led to two sequels,
Bride of Re-Animator and Beyond Re-Animator, cementing its
cult status. Imagine a modern reboot with today’s special effects; the
potential is immense, but the original’s practical charm remains
unmatched.
Recent developments: A Re-Animator remake has been officially announced with the production starting in 2024. It will be interesting to see on how they will incorporate modern film making techniques compared to the older films.
Brazil
Terry Gilliam’s Brazil is a dystopian masterpiece. A dark comedy
about a man trying to find a woman in his dreams in a retro-future world.
Gilliam creates a world that is both bizarre and strangely familiar, commenting on the dangers of bureaucracy and technology. The film’s dark humor and unique visual style have made it a cult classic, influencing countless films and artists. This is a relevant warning about the dangers of an overly controlled society, especially as technology advances.
Recent developments: Gilliam has hinted at the growth of a spiritual sequel to Brazil, focusing on similar themes but in a contemporary setting.
Cocoon
Originally, Robert Zemeckis was slated to direct Cocoon. Though,
studio executives at Fox got cold feet. Ron Howard stepped in, and the film
became a hit.
Cocoon tells the story of a group of seniors who discover a
Fountain of Youth-like swimming pool containing alien cocoons.
Thought-provoking themes of aging and rediscovered youth along with the
universal subjects of life and death are beautifully explored through the
eyes of these seniors played by Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, and Hume
Cronyn.
The film’s special effects may be dated by today’s standards, but the
underlying charm and positive message remain. The film spawned a sequel,
Cocoon: The Return, without Ron Howard at the helm. The film’s
themes of aging and mortality continue to resonate with audiences.
Recent developments: Plans for a Cocoon reboot series on a major streaming platform are in early stages, aiming to explore similar themes with a modern perspective.
The Stuff
The Stuff satirizes consumerism with a white goo that becomes an
addictive dessert sensation.
Writer-director Larry Cohen embraces the over-the-top silliness of his
bizarre premise,which satirizes its relevant theme of consumerism and how
an impractical-to-ignore product can dictate or influence a lot of people
no matter young or old.
The titular “stuff” controls minds and appetites, leading to deadly
consequences.Michael Moriarty stars as an ex-FBI agent investigating the
goo’s origins. the film reflects America’s obsession with the latest
trends, a theme that remains relevant today with social media and viral
products.
Recent developments: There have been discussions about adapting “The Stuff” into a limited series to further explore the themes of consumerism and corporate greed.
Lifeforce
Tobe Hooper’s Lifeforce combines sci-fi horror with vampirism in a
B-movie style.
In Lifeforce, he doesn’t shy away from his ample display
of sex and nudity courtesy of the frequently naked Mathilda May as the
female alien in a human body.
Hooper’s over-the-top style may have alienated some mainstream audiences,
but it remains a cult favorite for its sleaziness and gore. The film
features an apocalyptic vampiric infection spreading across London.
lifeforce remains a unique and bizarre offering in the sci-fi
horror genre.
Recent developments: Lifeforce is getting a lot more attention lately with a re-release on Blu-Ray.
Explorers
explorers features a promising build-up, focusing on three young
characters and their initial spaceship adventure.
Both Hawke and Phoenix prove to be the stars-in-the-making at the time,
showing us a glimpse of these two’s early acting prowess that would shape
their career.
The film stumbles in outer space when it comes to the aliens.Explorers
resonates by depicting the kids’ point of view and imagination in daring
to dream big. It captures the spirit of childhood wonder and the desire to
explore the unknown, a theme that never gets old. The movie resonates a lot with gen X’ers due to the film’s main themes.
Recent developments: Cast reunions and retrospective documentaries have renewed interest in “Explorers,” highlighting its impact on young audiences during the ’80s.
