Round 4
Pick #11 (#56 overall)
Gattaca by Andrew Niccol (1997)
Great science fiction movies are rare, the 90s have at least three of them (The Matrix, 12 Monkeys and Gattaca), so I am taking all of them.
Gattaca is about a future in which parents can manipulate the genes of their children to be healthier and more attractive at birth. The story follows Vincent (Ehtan Hawke) who was born in the natural way. After having a tough time in life (insurance wouldn't cover him, schools would not allow him in), his parents decided to not go the natural way the next time, so he has a gene-altered brother. Vincent has always wanted to be an astronaut and he does some illegal things to try to make his dream come true. This movie is about his quest.
I love the quote "There is no gene for the human spirit", which appears on the following movie poster:
Gattaca is a great movie that has action, entertainment and interesting ideas. Ideas are one of the reasons I am attracted to science fiction. The great thing about the movie is that it can also reach people that don't like science fiction. My mother and sister claim to hate science fiction, but they love Gattaca.
As an extra note, I recently read "Beggars in Spain", a short story by Nancy Kress written in the early 90s which is also about gene-alteration. I highly recommend that short story, it was outstanding.
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The Matrix -Wackowski brothers (1999)
12 Monkeys - Terry Gilliam (1995)
Princess Mononoke - Hayao Miyazaki (1997)
Gattaca - Andrew Niccol (1997)