The Flux Capacitor 3.21.08: Week 26 - Knights, Dragonflies and the Power of Greyskull

Posted by Owain J. Brimfield on 03.21.2008

Inspired by Arthur C. Clarke, this week we look at "science fantasy". Plus, all the latest from the world of SF.

Welcome to "The Flux Capacitor", the column that examines the past, present and future of the science fiction genre. I'm your host, Owain J. Brimfield, and each week I'll be taking a look at films, TV shows and a whole lot more that exemplify a particular theme within SF. We'll see how the sci-fi of yesteryear influenced what we see on our screens today, and take a look ahead to see what may be in store in the months and years to come. Later on I'll also discuss some of the latest SF news and see how it impacts on the genre. For now though, let's get the DeLorean on the road - this week's theme is:

SCIENCE FANTASY

So there I was earlier this week trying to think of a subject for today's column after the conclusion of our recent four-part epic journey *coughyperbolecough* through the character archetypes of sci-fi, and who should go and pop his clogs but the immeasurably venerable Arthur C. Clarke: patron of the Space Oscars, non-accredited inventor of the geostationary orbital satellite, vice-president of the H.G. Wells Foundation… you know, that guy who wrote 2001: A Space Odyssey. Anyways, given that the chap represented the last living of the three greatest science fiction writers in the history of the world (in my eyes anyway, along with Wells and Isaac Asimov), I thought I'd go about using this week as a sort of tribute-slash-inspired-by column, based on Clarke's famous quote:

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

..which got me thinking, why isn't magic implemented in science fiction all that often? And by "all that ofetn", I mean "barely ever". Why, because it's traditionally associated with the fantasy genre of course, a bastard cousin of sci-fi and never the twain shall meet [note to fantasy nerds: tongue firmly in cheek]. Sure, you can have your "interpretations" of magic like the Force or the psychic realm in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, but these invariably make an effort to shy away from the more arcane conception of wizards and spells and whatnots. The only time you tend to see magic in a sci-fi setting is in the somewhat niche sub-genre of, *minor fanfare*, science fantasy.

Although as a rule I tend to hate the categorizing of things into infinitely miniscule sub-sections (much like heavy metal, with all its "doom metal" and "operatic metal" offspring - if it rocks, it's rock n' roll, just ask Lemmy), science fantasy is a reasonably valid younger sibling of its parent genres. Predominantly characterized in narrative fiction (check out the works of Jack Vance or Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose John Carter of Mars is set to be adapted by Disney in the next few years), science fantasy rarely makes an appearance on the big-screen, presumably because studios tend to be scared off by the demographics involved. However, there have been a number of outlets for the genre on the ol' goggle-box, an old favorite of which is Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light. Now, I have to admit, I genuinely have no idea of this show's cult status in the US, but given that it only ran for thirteen episodes (and a short, half-arsed comic adaptation) I'm willing to bet it's relatively high and at least one person reading this will click their fingers and go "oh yeah!" as if remembering a long-lost childhood toy. Anyone? Well, for the uninitiated, the story centers around the planet Prysmos in a far-off galaxy, where technology has long since failed and the magical forces of the Spectral Knights and the Darkling Lords do battle under the watchful gaze of the cryptic sorcerer Merklynn. Each of the fourteen characters possesses a magic spell gifted to them by Merklynn that can be invoked with a rhyme ("Wind of sickness, illness most vile, Strike down my enemy, with disease revile!"), and the two factions wage battle against each other and occasionally some random guys called the Sun Imps. The show is quite a simple example of how science fantasy can work, essentially transposing an Arthurian concept into the future, sitting back and watching it unfold, and it's undeniable fun to watch knights do battle in hologrammatic armor. To further the show's links to science fiction, one of the characters is voiced by Peter Cullen (aka Optimus Prime), which I think gives you enough incentive to watch the show already. If that's not enough, the show's single season hints at a wide variety of character depth, which could, nay should, have been explored further. Oh, and it features a character named Wheezasqueezar. What's not to like?

Bringing things closer to home came the little-seen, much under-appreciated series Lexx, which had a run of four seasons (I know, that surprised me too) on the Sci Fi network back in the late 1990s. Melding a few more overt SF aspects on to the science fantasy formula, the show - which was actually funded in part by the UK's own Channel Five, making it possibly the first decent thing the channel has done besides show softcore pornography to a wide audience - is an often surreal take on a bizarre universe in which fantastical and SF elements combine and collide with frequency. Lexx follows the crew of the eponymous spaceship, a bioengineered, city-sized living dragonfly that devours planets whole. The crew is a peculiar bunch ranging from yer typical humanoids to lizard/plant women, to randy prosthetic robots and undead hitmen; the baddies, too, run the gamut from the fantastical to the technological, with insect tyrants and cyborgs presenting obstacles to the Lexx's quest (if it even has a central one - the show's plotlines were kind of ill-defined).

Like Visionaries, Lexx takes elements of fantasy and thrusts them into a futuristic world, only here the balance is shifted a lot more in favor of traditional SF base themes, with much of the show taking place on starships or alien planets. However, the show's equilibrium is a wildly idiosyncratic one - the best base of comparison that can be used is probably Farscape, but Lexx takes even wilder divergences into realms of fantasy, with a universe divided into the forces of Dark and Light, and the entire third season focusing on a war between the dual planets of Fire and Water. Technology in the show is often contrasted with naturalistic elements, with a particular emphasis on insects and symbiotics that can be a tad unsettling if you're not a fan of insectoid imagery (in much the same way as you might dislike Starship Troopers). The show did even introduce magic in its final season, although by that point it had become wildly inconsistent in tone and threatened to damage its reputation as the standard bearer of contemporary science fantasy. It's certainly a love it or hate it show, and I'm still not sure which side of the fence I fall on, but there's no denying it's one of the most unique takes on the concept of science fantasy that you're ever likely to see.

Of course, we couldn't have a discussion of science fantasy without looking at its most famous exponent of all - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. I'm always disappointed to remember that shows like this were often based on the related lines of action figures and toys rather than the other way round, but there you go, that's marketing in effect. I actually had a He-Man toy before I'd ever seen the cartoon, so I always used to associate him with my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures, making him Shredder's tag team partner in wrestling matches against a combination of the turtles. But enough of the foibles of my childhood - the cartoon series of Masters is a bonafide kids (sorry, "family") classic, and if you disregard the ridiculous movie starring Dolph Lundgren in the titular role (a film only worth watching for the glorious moment that happens after the end credits have finally rolled) it's probably the best example of how science fantasy can work, managing to create a near-perfect blend of swords-and-sandals barbarian epic-ery and (more evident in oft-derided but actually quite good sequel series The New Adventures of He-Man) cyborgs-and-galactic-invasions space-based adventure.

Of course, as you're well aware if you're following the upcoming swarm of movies based on old kids' cartoons (incidentally, Thundercats > G.I. Joe), the movie rights to a remake of Masters of the Universe have been snapped up by esteemed producer Joel Silver. Now, anyone who knows me knows how much I like to harp on about how poor remakes tend to be, but a CGI'd up version of Masters could prove to be the kick in the pants that science fantasy needs on the big screen, particularly if it happens before Disney start to knock out their proposed John Carter trilogy. Combine the nostalgia trip such a movie is likely to engender in a certain generation of young men with the potential for a visual effects feast (dare I suggest 3D?) of significant proportions and we could be looking at a genuine sci-fi blockbuster. Of course, this is all speculation at the moment, but the ingredients are assuredly there. Isn't that right, Prince Adam of Eternia?

Quite right.

In closing this week, I'd like to leave you with another quote from the late, great Mr. Clarke:

"Life is just one big banana. Science fiction allows us all to peel open the reality and discover the yellow truth inside."

Profound, n'est-ce pas?.


Reactions and interactions

Posted by: Cheryl

" Not technically sci-fi but Willow from Buffy is my favourite sidekick ever...If Wolfgang Peterson is doing Uprising any idea whats happening with the Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card) adaptation?, because he is apparently signed on to do that...hopefully he'll leave Enders Game alone, I couldn't bare it being made into one of Petersons big, dumb CGI fests...AVP3? really? no thanks. Hulk can't be worse than the last one."

As far as I know, Ender's Game is still waiting on a new script from Orson Scott Card before they can get the funding for it, but it's nice to know that at least the author has a direct hand in creating the movie adaptation. So I guess Petersen has probably put that on the back foot for now.


The Infosphere

According to the Michigan Government Transformers 2 was among six scripts submitted to the Michigan Film Advisory Commission within the last month.

Quite appropriate that Transformers could be shooting in the Motor City, I suppose. I hadn't realized Michael Bay had gotten as far as finalizing a script, but given that it probably looks like this:

Ext. Detroit, day. There are lots of explosions.

MEGATRON: Now you will pay, feeble humans!

There are lots of explosions and giant robots fighting.

TOKEN TEEN PROTAGONIST: Sweet!

…I'm willing to bet it didn't take too long.

Kurt Wimmer, best known for his sci-fi projects Equilibrium and Ultraviolet could be up for the writing and directing job on the film adaptation of Metal Gear Solid.

I quite liked Equilibrium - some nicely original action set pieces - but Ultraviolet was shockingly bad. Still, as long as Kojima is in the creative loop this surely can't be as bad as traditional videogame adaptations.

George Lucas says that fans will have to wait a bit longer for the live-action Star Wars series. Lucas told comingsoon.net recently that he doesn't expect the show to debut until 2010 now, instead of 2009.

We'll have the upcoming Clone Wars animated movie to tide us over in the meantime. I'm really not a fan of the TV show's animation style though, so I'm feeling more obligated to watch that then I'd like. On the other hand, it can't be all that bad… can it?

ComicBookResources.com reports that Samuel L. Jackson WILL play Nick Fury but that the cameo he shot for Iron Man has been cut from the final version of the film. The site also reports that there is a crossover between Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. Hulk co-star William Hurt will apparently have a cameo in Iron Man while Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark will appear in Hulk. These cameos may be used to lay the groundwork for a future Avengers movie.

Here's hoping for a swerve and an actual Jackson performance on the big screen, but it looks as though his cameo will be headed to the DVD extras. Still, it's nice to see the Marvel universe beginning to come together like this.

Peter Berg (The Kingdom) is set to direct a new big screen version of Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel, Dune, originally adapted by David Lynch. The plan is to make the futuristic tale a big-budget tentpole project, with New Amsterdam's Richard Rubenstein, who also interestingly produced the 2000 Sci Fi channel mini-series' Dune and Children of Dune, on production duties.

Say what you like about Lynch's version, it was still quite enjoyable. However, I think the novel does deserve a properly faithful big-screen treatment, and with the talent behind the decent-but-limited TV series taking control of production this could do well.

Anton Yelchin is set to play a key role in Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins. He will play teenage Kyle Reese, the man sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor in the first Terminator film and father of resistance leader John Connor. His character, played by Michael Biehn in the original, will befriend Marcus, an early version of the Terminator previously played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Meanwhile, Paul Haggis is in talks to write the script.

I'd have loved to see Biehn back in person, but I guess like Arnie he's getting on a bit these days. Yelchin is a great substitute, and this movie is coming together in an intriguing manner, especially with rumors that Haggis (who you feel could probably write a compelling script in any genre) will come on board.

The Sci Fi Channel has given a green light for production to begin on Caprica, a two-hour backdoor pilot and Battlestar Galactica prequel from executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. Production is slated to begin in Vancouver, Canada, this spring. (courtesy of Sci Fi Wire)

I'll be honest, I didn't see this one coming. It's certainly exciting to see an established franchise fleshed out into another series, and with Moore on board and in creative control it should be just as good as Battlestar itself, touch wood and all that.

David Eick, co-executive producer of NBC's SF series Bionic Woman, confirmed that the network has indeed cancelled the show, though the network has not yet officially said as much. (courtesy of Sci Fi Wire)

It's not surprising really, as the show was pretty underwhelming. Bring back Steve Austin, says I!


And of course, don't forget to tune in to Sky One's adaptation of Terry Pratchett's The Colour Of Magic which premieres this Sunday. I've been waiting on this one a loooong time.


And finally…

As always, reader feedback and suggestions are welcome, I respond to everything so just drop me a line or leave a comment. You can also check out my column "The Wonder Years" over at 411 Games. Next week in "The Flux Capacitor" - I may have worked out a schedule for future columns so I can come up with some snappy taglines. Until then - keep watching the skies.