Codes/Conventions of Sci-Fi

Science fiction films are often shortened to Sci-Fi is a film genre that uses science fiction: abstract, fictional science-based depictions of occurrences that are not accepted by mainstream science, such as extra-terrestrial life forms, extrasensory perception and time travel or other technologies. Science fiction films have often been used to focus on political or social issues, and to explore philosophical issues like the human condition sometimes even exploring dystopian themes like the end of the world.

The genre although seeming new, existed in the early 1900s with the first movie titled a Trip to the Moon employed trick photography effects as CGI didn’t exist at the time.

Codes & Conventions:

Occult soocery - Frequently science fiction films contain elements of mysticism, occult, magic, or the supernatural, all holding occult connotations whether it is tied into religion or elements of fantasy.

Realism/ Believability - A theorist called Shoback argued science fiction films differ from fantasy films in that while science fiction film seeks to achieve our belief in the images we are viewing, fantasy film instead attempts to suspend our disbelief.

Scientific elements - The role of the scientist has varied considerably in the science fiction film genre, depending on the public perception of science and advanced technology.[citation needed] Starting with Dr. Frankenstein, the mad scientist became a stock character who posed a dire threat to society and perhaps even civilization.

Alien life forms - The concept of life, particularly intelligent life, having an extra-terrestrial origin is a popular staple of science fiction films. More earlier films portray aliens as being dangerous life forma that are a threat to the human race, while more recent films such as Escape to With Mountain and the Men in Black series portray them to helpful and even comical.

Under the skin (2013)

Robots - Sometimes portrayed as sentient or violent, one popular theme in science fiction film is whether robots will someday replace humans. Or whether intelligent robots could develop a conscience and a motivation to protect, take over, or destroy the human race.

Typical plot for Sci-Fi films:

• A journey or a quest to find someone or something important. 
• Revenge for something that may have happened earlier in the protagonists life. 
• The fight between good (protagonist) and evil (antagonist) with good defeating evil.
• Saving the world from disaster or peace and harmony is somewhat restored.

Example of Sci-fi films:

iRobot (2004)

In 2035, a technophobic cop investigates a crime that may have been perpetrated by a robot, which leads to a larger threat to humanity.

Back to the Future (1985)

A young man is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence.

The Matrix (1999)

A programmer is brought back to reason and reality when learning he was living in a program created by gigantic machines which make human birth artificial. In order to set humanity free, Neo will have to face many enemies by using technologies and self-trust.