[mmanfrin]

I think Star Trek is a bad example, as it's seen as such a prime example of 'good' that it's hard for modern directors/producers to deviate too much from the original feel of the material (beyond modern cinematic tropes).

Prior to seeing Star Trek, I watched Oblivion, which seemed to me full of futurism -- it had a ship that had a novel (to modern cinema) ship design, 'drone' design, antagonist design. I think we live in a world that is quickly gaining the capability of creating our ideas, so those things that were fantastical in the 70s but trope today are not as easy to devine today.

I was just thinking the other day that I sincerely enjoy how Scifi is quickly becoming a mainstay of modern film, because it means more scifi films to invent some novel idea of the future. You really should not be basing your assumptions of modern cinema off of a remake.

[msglenn]

I found Oblivion to be an homage to some of the best sci-fi over the past few decades (Moon, The Matrix, Independence Day), an effect that was ruined by the feeling that it took itself too seriously to realize it was an homage.

In terms of derivative sci-fi, I think Oblivion really reinforces the author's point.