CineTV Contest: The Signal

This is my entry into the CineTV contest 19, favourite space movie. Link is here

Name - The Signal
Released - 2014
Director - William Eubank

Space and science-fiction has become such a huge genre of its own now, that choosing the best space film is not so easy as it used to be. When I was a boy, there was really just Star Wars or Star Trek to choose from. And we know that Star Wars won, who could beat Chewie and the millennium falcon?

Man, I always wanted a millennium falcon and those super cool AT walkers. The battle scene with the imperial walkers must be one of the best sci-fi battle scenes made, even today. And what did Star Trek offer us? Men in tight pantsuits. Hmm. Sorry guys. lol

Anyway, this was a long time ago and now I thought what modern sci-fi films do we have that are good and could de-throne Star Wars. My choice is The Signal. This is a space film that gets you thinking and is more than just your average space shooter film.

► What you loved or hated about it.

The film starts off like any regular film and then brings a huge unexpected twist into it that really blows your mind. In one way you think you could be dealing with an alien abduction film. In another way, it is making you challenge your perceived reality about time, space and consciousness.

► How it influenced you (and/or people around you).

The film challenges the notion that space is just above, it could be in any direction. I have the images of Damon (Laurence Fishburne) in his space suit in my mind and when he takes his helmet off. Is he an alien? Is this just in our minds? Did the aliens modify his brain? What's really going on here and why?

► My favourite scene

There are two very memorable scenes that are imprinted on my mind. The main one though is when Nic (the main character) runs with his supersonic legs trying to escape from Damon. I think it's an idea that hasn't been explored very much in films recently. The modifications and edge of the world were visually great to watch.

► Performance of the actors/actress that left an impression.

Laurence Fishburne really carries this film off with his heavy-weight performance as Damon. After playing Morpheus in the Matrix, you would think that he couldn't excel further after that role, but here he really smashes it. The imagery of him in his suit and the calm collective manner is fantastic.

► Why do you think it's significant and great (or not).

I think it's a well pulled off sci-fi film that explores many themes and gives an alternative and more up-to-date take on them. It explores alien abduction, the reality on earth and makes us question our own reality/consciousness. The ideas behind aliens and their planets were also running around my mind. What more can you get from a sci-fi movie? Just a great ending scene.

Trailer:

Rating:

10/10

Resources:

Screen stills taken from the released trailer here
Used under fair-use section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976.