This document discusses how science fiction films can be used to examine enduring issues and themes that reflect real-world problems. It provides examples of several films such as Alien, Blade Runner, District 9, I Robot, Terminator, Avatar, Godzilla, Star Wars, The Matrix, and Battlestar Galactica and discusses how they raise thought-provoking questions about topics like the treatment of other species, what defines life, prejudice and isolationism, technology addiction, environmentalism, medical advancements, and more. These films use their speculative sci-fi worlds to explore complex issues that continue to be relevant.

1. Science Fiction Films &
Critical Thinking
Gateway To Examining Enduring Issues

2. Themes in Sci-Fi
Reflect Real Issues

3. In “Aliens,” humans kill the unborn of another
species (alien, but helpless nonetheless). Sure,
they’re deadly, but what is justified?

4. In “Blade
Runner,”
questions of
sentience,
what is “life,”
and who gets
to define it or
control it, are
posed.

5. In “District 9,”
humans confine
stranded aliens to
a ghetto. Themes:
Prejudice &
Isolationism recall
past human
experiences:
WWII internment
of Japanese-
Americans, South
African Apartheid,
Slavery, Nazi
Concentration
Camps.

6. In “I Robot,” distrust for technology reaches new
heights, especially when one becomes “self
aware.” A master computer seeks to protect
humans from themselves.

7. In the “Terminator” films, mankind’s inventions
revolt (perhaps to stave off extermination).

8. In “Avatar,” issues of colonization,
commercialism, environmentalism, militarism
arise. We peg the military as “evil,” and the
natives as victims. Human history is rife with this.

9. In “Godzilla,” man’s careless tinkering with
nuclear weapons creates the creature that
wreaks havoc on civilization. Environmentalism,
nuclear fears, nature rebels.

10. In “Star Wars,” Darth Vader is kept alive by
technology. Today we admire advances in
science like this, but not everyone can afford to
be saved this way. Is that fair?

11. In “Matrix,” virtual
reality is featured,
with a twist. How far
do we allow VR to
go? Other issues:
Technology
Addiction
Identity

12. In the TV series, “Battlestar Gallactica,” machines
created by man create their own progeny, then
head back home to repay their “parents” for
enslaving them.