MovieChat Forums > Supernova (2000) Discussion > An Excellent Film

An Excellent Film

posted 20 years ago by crosbys
11 replies | jump to latest

I'm a big fan of the SciFi genre, and am often hugely disappointed by the unimaginative and overhyped trash that has been showing up in the theaters lately. The vast majority of new SF films are either ripoffs of old and original ideas (every film that ever ripped off "Alien,") direct butchery or original works (a la "I, Robot,") or so mind-numbingly painful to watch and full of bad science that one might consider leaving the theater to schedule a long overdue colonoscopy ("The Core," "The Day After Tomorrow," "Mission to Mars.")

Occasionally, one finds the proverbial Diamond in the Rough. Sometimes a movie comes along that doesn't attract a $100 million budget or the Big Star with the Big Name (usually one cannot have one without the other.) "Supernova" is one such film. Ever since I saw the movie on its opening night over four years ago, I've been asking myself why I liked it so much. The acting was nothing spectacular, the big-name actors were James Spader (a name most people know only now due to his role on "The Practice" and "Boston Legal") and Lou Diamond Phillips, the effects weren't spectacular, the story wasn't exactly earth shattering, and the action fell far short of memorable.

So why? If nothing was noteworthy, why do I bring this film up (along with "Event Horizon,") when people talk about "good" scifi? I think it's because while it didn't do anything spectacular, every aspect of the film's execution was "good." The action wasn't over the top, but consistent and reassonably plausable (within the bounds of suspension of disbelief.) Without a huge actor, the director and story could spend time with all characters rather than the Will Smith or Arnold Schwartzeneger role. The effects were enough to be immersive without dominating any particular scene, and the story didn't try to either drown us with technobabble or numb our brains by leaving everything wide open.

All in all, it wasn't a great film, but it wasn't murdered by any single over-the-top element. All in all an immersive, quality film.

[–] Kumikameli 20 years ago

i totally agree with everything you said (except that i liked the day after tomorrow, but lets not go to that in this thread...) this is a VERY underrated movie, no it's not a masterpiece that should be in the top 250, but it is a good movie that i can enjoy watching :)

[–] catpie404 20 years ago

Supernova is the worst movie of all time. But it's responsible for the best movie of all time, Mega Nova. See http://www.thelifeofmrb.com/MegaNovaTrailer.html

[–] Li-1 20 years ago

2000 gave us quite a few "outer space travelers stranded in alien environment" flicks like Pitch Black, Mission to Mars, Supernova, and Red Planet. I'd rate it in that order from best to worst. Of the four, it's no surprise only PB's developed a pretty large fanbase.

[–] a_moral_imperative 20 years ago

agree...this movie was great and i don't hate the ending as some people do, in fact i thought it was pretty ballsy.

"Would you classify that as a launch problem or a design problem?"

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[–] Demarates 20 years ago

I mean what was the point of this Larson dudes' actions ?

So he lures a ship to his position. Why ? Because he wants to escape from the rogue moon ànd get back into the docs pants. So far, so good.

Then he flies out to that ship in a burning vessel. Why is it burning, obviously he set fire to it himself, right ? To avoid a thorough inspection before getting a chance to dock ? Ok, that makes sense, because such an inspection might have revealed the object, causing them refuse to have him aboard. But why BRING the object in the first place ? The guy is superhuman, he could have easily whacked everyone aboard and then gone back to the rogue moon to pick up his treasure. There was no one around to steal it, now was there ?

And when he clips Danika (who looked quite yummy btw) and Yerzy, why didn't the computer notify the rest of the crew ?

The fact Danika jumped his bones also made little sense to me. Then there was the scene where he first helps Yerzy by destroynig the security panel, but then kills him. Also, it that thing was so precious to him, why not carry it with him ? Thus avoiding it gets swiped at the end.

Nah, to much stupid behaviour for me.

Trece para siempre.

[–] lonnigan004 19 years ago

Though I wouldnt call this film excellent, it is very enjoyable. I like the part about the object that exists in dimensions that are mathematically incalculable to us. Great science fiction idea.

[–] Radiant_Rose 19 years ago

Yes, it is odd that Sweetie had no trouble killing off Yerzy and Danika, but found herself unable to save Benji.

Maybe Yerzy and Danika had done something to really p*** her off.

I liked it a lot, but felt I would have liked it better with less blue lighting and less in the way of flashing lights (were they trying to alienate everyone with epilepsy?).

I read that the budget was $65 million. My sister thought the film was quite good until I told her that.

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