Space Opera fans never have to look too far for their daily dose of entertainment. Star Wars has them covered. There’s so much abundance in the franchise that even the staunchest fans can’t cover everything within a few days. Several movies were released in recent years, and five more are on the way. There’s also plenty on the small screen, with shows like The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Mandalorian, Andor, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew all available to stream.
Unfortunately, abundance is always likely to create fatigue, and if you feel like you’ve watched too much Star Wars, there are several other underrated space opera movies you can enjoy. Released in the 21st century, these films match the Disney-owned franchise in numerous ways, so no fan is likely to be disappointed. Admittedly, there are a few flaws, but none are significant enough to detract from the viewing experience.
Ultimately, Star Wars fans should find something to enjoy in all 10 of these modern space operas.
10
‘Beyond White Space’ (2018)
Ken Locsmandi’s engrossing, tension-packed film traces the various turns in the space adventures of overbearing but competent Captain Richard Bentley (Holt McCallany) and his equally capable crew, with whom he has a complicated working relationship. While journeying across space, Bentley spots a nearly extinct gigantic creature and insists on capturing it, despite the objections of his subordinates. Who will have their way in Beyond White Space?
A Lack of Unity Breads Top-Notch Entertainment
Punctuated by memorable arguments and brimming with humanity, Beyond White Space is bizarre and euphoric in roughly equal measure. McCallany received richly deserved praise for playing Bentley, and the rest of the cast members hold their own as the long-suffering crew members. So intense is the battle between the spacecraft and the creature that it often feels like we are watching two people play a video game. Much of what we see here could easily fit into a Star Wars movie or show.
9
‘Star Warrior: The Legend of Aciris’ (2021)
Aciris (Jason Burkey) from Star Warrior: The Legend of Aciris lives a decent life until he is kidnapped by aliens and enslaved in a mining colony with harsh, deplorable residential conditions. Forced to become a gladiator and entertain the aliens, he eventually escapes, seeking to find an ancient spaceship. Along the way, he also discovers Exoderm, a powerful force capable of liberating the galaxy. Will he be the hero the universe has been waiting for?
Slim Odds… No Problem
Star Warriors? Anyone would immediately conclude that this is a cheap Star Wars ripoff, but there’s more beneath the surface. Rather than just walking normal space opera lines, we get a Gothic-tinged, surreal world that leaves us with no choice but to dive into it with increasingly maniacal zeal. It’s almost a one-man show, and you’ll love how Aciris overcomes the dark, violent plans that the aliens hatch against him. Even better, limited screen time (78 minutes) is required to get all the plot info into our minds, in part because there is no pointless melodrama.
8
‘Space Sweepers’ (2021)
Space Sweepers imagines a future where Earth has become nearly uninhabitable and the rich live in orbiting utopias. Meanwhile, crew members of a junk-collecting ship known as Victory scavenge space debris for money. Their lives are totally changed when they find Dorothy, a humanoid robot sought after by the authorities. But Dorothy might not be as evil as implied, and the crew soon uncovers a major conspiracy involving a corrupt megacorporation.
A War Against Injustice
This colorful tale, defined by adventure, action, treachery, and ultimately, sacrifice, will keep you glued, mostly because of how beautifully it explores its themes. Filmed using some of the most advanced VFX, Space Sweepers is partly a study of capitalism and partly a good old-fashioned space yarn; full of charm and presenting vital life lessons. Because of the desire for money, the crew members keep feuding, putting their morality into question. The film’s casual multiculturalism is also notable, with characters from different sections of the world speaking to each other through a blend of their native languages.
7
‘Cosmoball’ (2020)
Adapted from the animated series Galactik Football, Cosmoball is set in a future where an intergalactic war shifted the planet’s poles. Above the Earth towers a huge alien ship that serves as a stadium. After a series of conflicts, it’s soon decided that the planet’s fate will depend on the result of a match between humans and aliens. Who will win?
Sports in Space
Like a Johannes Vermeer painting, Cosmoball is visually pleasing. The look of the space opera film, which occasionally shifts from crisp color splashing to gloomy gray, appears modeled after some of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made. Overall, the entire affair oozes an ethereal feel, smoothly punctuated with endless bits of chases and action. Seldom do we get such unique plots, so audiences should devour this without hesitation.
6
‘A.I. Rising’ (2018)
In a dystopian, socialist future ruled by the Ederlezi Corporation, astronaut Milutin (Sebastian Cavazza) is sent on a space mission to explore the Alpha Centauri star system. He is accompanied by Nimani (Stoya), a humanoid robot programmed for submissiveness and companionship. Along the way, he alters Nimani’s programming, allowing her to develop feelings. Will man-AI love blossom in A.I. Rising?
How Far Could It Go?
This unadorned film, beautifully realized by Serbian filmmaker Lazar Bodroža, is undoubtedly an actor’s showcase, and Cavazza makes the most of the material, turning in an unrivaled, bravura performance that ought to have won him plenty of awards. A.I. Rising asks numerous questions about A.I., wondering whether it would be hard to differentiate the emotional framework of humans and machines in the future. Part of it is heartwarming, part of it is scary. But you can be guaranteed one thing: you’ll be totally entertained.
5
‘Space Command Redemption’ (2024)
Space Command Redemption follows Captain Matt Kemmer (Ethan McDowell) and his fellow crew members on the Paladin as they journey across space and navigate intergalactic political quagmires. With humanity’s colonies plagued by rebellion, alien interference, and corporate malpractice, Kemmer must do everything in his power to ensure peace prevails.
Feels Like a Fusion of ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Babylon 5’
Covering the usual space opera themes of gallantry, curiosity, discovery, ethics, and responsibility, Space Command Redemption takes audiences on a wild journey. The aesthetics are excellent (impressive, considering that the movie was crowdfunded), but the world-building could use some extra work. Thankfully, Ethan McDowell gives a good enough performance to prevent you from weighing the movie against better ones like it.
4
‘Battle in Space: The Armada Attacks’ (2021)
In the year 2420, aliens and powerful space wizards have invaded Earth and used both magic and extraterrestrial tech to subjugate humans. Soon, a group of rebels rises, piloting ramshackle but equipped spacecraft that helps them resist oppression. More often than not, the battles in The Armada Attacks spill into space.
A Hard and Painful Battle for Freedom
Classism? Species-ism? Blending fantasy and science, The Armada Attacks is elevated by battles and labyrinthine plots, but it also excels by packing in heavy themes. The class distinctions between humans and the aliens are emphasized, particularly in the dialogue. And, at the heart of the painterly mise-en-scene stand the weird-looking characters and the captivating beauty of the villagers, whose innocence and vulnerability infuse optimism into the proceedings.
3
‘Harlock: Space Pirate’ (2013)
In Harlock: Space Pirate, humans colonized the stars, only for resources to be depleted. Five hundred billion colonists have now returned to Earth, causing the Homecoming War over the planet’s remaining resources. The ruling Gaia Sanction forbids human resettlement, but Captain Harlock (David Matranga), a space pirate, uses the powerful ship Arcadia to challenge their rule.
Oppression Shall Not Prevail
This gorgeous adaptation of Leiji Matsumoto’s Space Pirate Captain Harlock probes profoundly and languorously into the manga’s environmental and climate change themes. The greenery that is at risk of being replaced by mining industrialization is captured sumptuously by the animation, and the conflicts are all handled convincingly. So visually pleasing is the film that James Cameron praised the film for its CGI animation and use of 3D. Undoubtedly one of the best manga adaptations.
2
‘Space Station 76’ (2014)
Events in Space Station 76 occur in Omega 76, a 1970s-style space station. Here, Captain Glenn (Patrick Wilson), the emotionally unstable boss, struggles to maintain control with new co-pilot Jessica (Liv Tyler), challenging the existing dynamics. Among the crew is Ted (Matt Bomer), a mechanic fed up with his manipulative wife, Misty (Marisa Coughlan).
Retro-Futuristic Bliss
Instead of the overblown dogfights, dramatics, and endless hysteria of most space opera movies, this superb, low-budget flick is engrossing in its restrained, hilarious, matter-of-fact storytelling. Director Jack Plotnick presents a clear picture of how regular people are likely to behave in such circumstances, focusing on the mundane moments, to trigger empathy and hatred. Who imagined that sitcom-style suburban malaise would play out beautifully in a movie like this?
1
‘Hunter Prey’ (2010)
What seems like another innocuous day for a group of highly-skilled interstellar commandos turns into a nightmare when their ship crash-lands on a strange planet as they are transporting an extraterrestrial prisoner. Equally capable, the escaped prisoner sets numerous traps and does a Rambo on the Commandos, picking them off one by one. Who will be the last person standing in Hunter Prey?
The Chase Never Ends
Terrifying, heartbreaking, and tense, and anchored by a searing turn by Damion Poitier, Hunter Prey remains one of the finest space opera films to emerge in recent years. Perhaps director Sandy Collora’s own background as a creature designer and sculptor accounts for this feature’s unadulterated, gripping awesomeness. Highly stripped down with incredible practical effects, the film will remind you of some of the adventures in Tatooine and other popular Star Wars planets.
Source link
Add Comment