If you are a Sci-fi fan, this documentary James Cameron’s Story of Sciences Fiction is a must see. That said, anyone who likes action films, this Star Trek and Star Wars are exciting and entertaining or you loved Jurassic Park, then listen to the likes of Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, George Lucas, Ridley Scott and many more directors, producers, special effects masters, writers and actors who have make their livelihood bringing the best to you. For a film critic it’s like eating the best Ben & Jerry’s ice cream with a cherry on top.
“…we love Science Fiction, and we can’t get enough of it. And so we can’t stop.” – Stephen Spielberg
“…This is the whole genre (Sci-fi) that’s just exploding because it’s so much fun that a lot of other genres. Sigourney Weaver
“…You’re constantly saying, What If? And if you’re not saying What if? You’re a fool.” – Ridley Scott
Extemporaneous interviews from directors, writers, producers, actors, journalists, crew, talk about notable Sci-fi films including the early pioneer movie A Trip to the Moon (1902), to Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), to blockbusters Star Wars beginning in 1977 and Star Trek movie series in 1979 and everything in between. Each of the four 1 hour segments are packed with interviews, clips from the films and commentaries on by the notables aforementioned.
For myself it’s a trip down memory lane as I even checked out some of the early films available on IMDb and other platforms in my years writing about motion pictures. Being Science Fiction the film covers all areas from fantasy to adventure and the future to the past. I like the way James Cameron leads off each segment before turning it over to actors like Sigourney Weaver who was a sensation as Ripley in the Alien sagas and then Jeff Goldblum as Malcolm in Jurassic Park, followed up by The Matrix, Mad Max, Terminator, Close Encounters of a Third Kind, Independence Day, and so many more with even Godzilla takes a bow.
As the film progresses we get words from the creators and designers of the creatures in the film, special effects wizards, artist drawings, costumers and many more departments that brought the labor intensive films to the screen. From to Xenomorph (better known as the Bitch in Alien), nearly the whole cast of Guardians of the Galaxy, a lot of Star War’s space creatures, the Na’vi from Avatar, and the list goes on.
BONUS FEATURES on Blu-ray and DVD
“Extended Interviews” with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan, Guillermo Del Toro and Arnold Schwarzenegger
James Cameron’s Story of Sciences has been rated TV-14, it contains brief language and sci-fi violence.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Very Good for Sci-fi, some Horror and Adventure fans. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Will Smith, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Guillermo Del Toro, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Sigourney Weaver
Hosted by: James Cameron
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: TV-14
Running Time: 252 min.
Video Release Date: July 28, 2020
Original Theatrical Release Date: 2018, TV Mini-Series
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD (also available in Blu-ray)
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen 16×9, Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Number of Discs: 2 Discs
Distributed by: RLJE Films
Released on: DVD and Blu-ray
