Both Sci-Fi movies and novels have increased in popularity in the last few decades. From Frankenstein to Star Wars, Blade Runner to Star Trek, they have received rave reviews in both novels and movies. So I’ve decided to take a look at Sci-fi novels turned into movies.
The only rule I have for selecting the books I am going to review is that the main media that they are derived from has to be a novel and not a comic. I’ve also made an exception for the The Expanse, since it was turned into a series.
Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?)
During the late 70s and early 80s Harrison Ford was one of America’s biggest Actors. Having appeared in the Sci-fi epic The Star Wars Trilogy as well as Indiana Jones. Blade Runner would be another feather in his successful cap.
The film follows Ford’s character Rick Deckard is a Blade Runner. An agent tasked with hunting down and ‘Retiring’ escaped replicants. Throughout the film he must hunt down five replicants and put an end to them.
Replicants are bio-engineered humanoids which have various improvements over their human counterparts. The only way to tell if someone is a replicant is by putting them through a Voight-Kampff test.
The novel that the film is based on is called Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? The name isn’t as catchy as the movie title. Unlike the film, the book provides insight into why the androids are produced. And that many of the androids resort to murdering their owners.
There is also a weird subplot where having a real live animal is a beacon of an individual’s status. Those that can’t afford it, put up with fakes.
There is a sequel to the film called Blade Runner 2049 which I watched a few years ago which was an enjoyable film.
Dune
Dune has now had multiple films made for the original material. One was made back in 1984 and another was released just last year (2021).
Dune centres around Paul Atreides, a son of a Duke set to inherit his father’s title. And not only does he inherit a title, but he also has a destiny that will shape everything. Which is both present in the novel and both films.
I have yet to watch either Dune film, but I have read the book and I am looking forward to watching them. The cast list for the latest one is star studded, with actors/actresses that perform very well.
The Expanse
I’ve finished reading the first book in The Expanse. Which has only fuelled my interest in the Amazon Prime Series (Watch it here on Amazon).
From the summary of the series, the first season follows Miller as he tries to investigate and locate a young woman who has mysteriously gone missing. While Holden tries to survive numerous attacks that almost end his and his crew’s lives.
There are already six seasons which I will be happily binge watching once I’ve finished the books which hopefully will be by the end of the year.
The Hunger Games
Once I had heard The Hunger Games Trilogy was being made into films I picked up the books and consumed them very quickly.
The first two books focus on the games, with Katniss Everdeen taking part in two of them. With the third focusing on a revolution. Which I enjoyed reading and there were some great twists.
I can only remember watching the first film, but I may have watched the second. Katniss is played by Jennifer Lawrence which brought her a lot of acclaim and catapulted her career into the limelight.
I have no real want to watch the final films or to reread the books.
Ready Player One
Ready Player One is a testament to all things 80s.
Ready Player One follows. Wait watch as his choice to locate.Location of.An undisclosed.Easter egg in the VR game.
The Easter egg is supposed to contain undisclosed riches that could help. Wait.Over he isn’t the only one.Looking for the Easter egg?Any groups that you must face and beat to the target.
In the Sci-fi.Fan.An audience. This is a very polarising.Book and film.With some just saying that the writer users references to 80s.Pop culture.To sell the book.Which has no.Substance.
I’m going to be reading that book.This year and then follow up with the film and make mountain decision then.
Off to The Movies
As from the above, you can tell that there are lots of Sci-fi novels have been turned into movies.I’ve only scratched the surface here and will be looking at more in the future.As well as delving into fantasy.Are there any that you can recommend or any that we should avoid?
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