Review: "FANTASTIC MR. FOX"

It wouldn't be too much of an exaggeration to call director Wes Anderson an "oddball". After all, his films have celebrated the outcasts of the world, the unsung heroes whom you wouldn't believe to be "normal" folks. But like many other "oddball" filmmakers (such as Tim Burton, John Waters, Spike Jonze, and the Coen Brothers), there's a palpable air of real humanity in Anderson's stories; in fact, even MORE so than the "conventional" movie auteurs.

From his 1996 debut of the crime-caper comedy Bottle Rocket, his indie classic Rushmore, to his deliciously eccentric The Royal Tenenbaums, Anderson's developed a well-deserved reputation for bucking the trends and sending his audiences to unexpected places.

So it was only natural that Anderson's latest cinematic outing would be even weirder and quirkier than its predecessors. Only this time, instead of a live-action comedy about iconoclastic teenagers, dysfunctional families, or shark hunters, Anderson went for an animated film. And as expected, Anderson eschewed the methods of now-commonplace CGI in favor of good-old-fashioned stop-motion animation. And truly, when you make a movie based on Roald Dahl's classic children's book "The Fantastic Mr. Fox", you're almost obligated to aim for the weird.

The eighth movie adapted from one of Dahl's works, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a wonderfully sublime achievement in animation, not because it takes a step back in movie technology, but how the production is executed in an entirely original and fascinating way. For example, instead of utilizing the clean and fluid stop-motion animation of current (like those used for Coraline or Corpse Bride), the animation here is jerky, madcap, and almost creepy in an aesthetic way. The autumn-styled color schemes are used in great detail, and the art direction is to die for, clearly done in painstaking detail.

Crafty Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney) and his wife Felicity (voiced by Meryl Streep) are two chicken thieves on a job at a British farm. However, as the two are captured, Felicity reveals that she's pregnant, and should they escape, Mr. Fox would have to quit thievery and find a new, honest line of work.

Go forward two years (twelve in fox years), and the now-domesticated couple are proud parents to a grumpy youngster named Ash (voiced by Jason Schwartzman). After moving into a new tree, the allure of thievery gets the best of Mr. Fox, and he plans one final heist on three massive farms in the area.

As in all of his movies, Anderson committed a true masterstroke of casting, and no voice would be a finer fit for the sly, crafty Fox than that of George Clooney. Injecting his natural charm and hysterically funny delivery into what's essentially the vulpine version of Danny Ocean, Clooney is an absolute blast in his role. Streep, as always, is wonderful in her vocal performance, as is the rest of the cast (which includes several regular Anderson collaborators, including Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky, and Owen Wilson).

As with Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are, the film needed obvious padding to flesh out the story, and Anderson does a wonderful job adding "quirk" wherever he could. From the use of the word "cuss" replacing any potential swear words ("What the cuss?" "What a cluster-cuss!" "You little cuss!"), to the animation style resembling '60s era storybook illustrations (what with the limited color palette and two-dimensional backgrounds), to the wonderfully eclectic soundtrack (ranging from The Rolling Stones and The Wellingtons to The Beach Boys and Burl Ives), Fantastic Mr. Fox truly delivers when it comes to crafting a highly original and terrifically enjoyable film experience.

Some may be annoyed with the current popular trend of making movies too "quirky" or "oddball" (we're looking at YOU, any movie starring Michael Cera), but Wes Anderson shows that in the right hands, "oddball" is truly fantastic. A terrific experience for both kids and adults, and one that I'll be sure to experience again.

Letter Grade: "A-"

The Top 20 Animated Films of 2000-2009

Ever since 1927's "Steamboat Willie" first graced movie theaters, animated films have greatly evolved from the classic hand-drawn style best seen in Walt Disney's films, to the breakthrough of fully computer-generated features. There have been a host of great animated movies this past decade, and here are the top 20.

20. Bolt (2008)

In the 1997 drama The Truman Show, Jim Carrey's character lived in a picturesque bay town, unaware that his entire life has been manipulated for a 24-hour reality show. Imagine how tough that would be! To essentially live a lie, even though you honestly believe it's the truth. For a dog named Bolt (voice of John Travolta), life is all about thwarting evil with amazing superpowers while saving the life of his owner Penny (voice of Miley Cyrus), at LEAST once a week. Unfortunately, Bolt doesn't realize that his heroic life is merely setup for a weekly television show, and he truly believes that he has superpowers! After accidentally being separated from his studio handlers, Bolt begins a trek back to Hollywood, all while still believing he's the superdog he was "groomed" to be. A funny, light, enjoyable comedy with a hilarious supporting vocal performance by Mark Raxton as the overeager hamster Rhino.

19. Chicken Run (2000)

In the dawn of high-tech computer animation, you'd think that filmmakers would immediately discard the previous means of making animated films, be it hand-drawn, or stop-motion. But every now and then, some folks go back to the good-ol' fashioned means of making animated movies, and legendary British animator Nick Park sure has made a successful career out of it. The creator of the Wallace and Gromit movies, Park once again dipped into the stop-motion well with his highly original and extremely funny Chicken Run. A story about talking chickens living in a farm not unlike a WWII concentration camp run by a sadistic woman named Mrs. Tweedy (voice of Miranda Richardson), the poultry repeatedly try to run away, Great Escape-style, only to be caught every time. It's only until American rooster Rocky (voice of Mel Gibson) arrives that the chickens may have a real chance of freedom. A creative, enjoyable romp with a diverse array of characters and a great (British) sense of humor.

18. Beowulf (2007)

Leaps and bounds have been made in the creation of CGI characters, the zenith reached when Andy Serkis performed as the Gollum character in the Lord of the Rings films via motion-capture technology. Since then, many have attempted to hop on the mo-cap bandwagon. In 2004, director Robert Zemeckis ventured into the field with the Christmas film The Polar Express, where actors went beyond mere vocal work and actually acted out their characters wearing mo-cap suits. Though moderately successful, Express was criticized for the lifelessness exhibited by the animated characters (especially in their eyes). Now Zemeckis has returned to the mo-cap game with Beowulf, based on the epic English poem of the same name. Here Zemeckis greatly improves upon the believability of the characters, and the action is absolutely astounding to behold, and that's what truly matters here, rather than the performances (though still decent in their own right). And plus, a CGI Angelina Jolie gets (kinda) naked. 'Nuff said.

17. Shrek 2 (2004)

The first Shrek introduced the concept of pop culture references in animated kids' movies (even if those references flew over the heads of the target audience), and after the massive commercial and critical success of the first film, a sequel was only inevitable. Though Shrek 2 isn't as good as its predecessor, it still ably delivers on the laughs and still rests on a terrific vocal cast. Now that grumpy ogre Shrek (voice of Mike Myers) and Fiona (voice of Cameron Diaz) are married, they must travel to the Kingdom of Far, Far, Away, where Fiona's parents (voices of John Cleese and Julie Andrews) rule the land. The only problem? The in-laws don't know that their daughter's husband is big, green, and not-so-human. The pop culture in-jokes are plentiful (from Spider-Man and From Here to Eternity, to Zorro and C.O.P.S.), and the cast is completely upstaged by a fabulous Antonio Banderas as the swashbuckling Puss 'n Boots.

16. Lilo and Stitch (2002)

One of Disney's last 2D films before switching completely to CGI, Lilo and Stitch is a delightful and funny tale about an indestructible, rambunctious outlaw alien (dubbed "Experiment 626") escaping to Earth, landing in Hawaii, and being adopted by a lonely girl named Lilo (voice of Daveigh Chase) who believes that he's a dog. With glorious watercolor-style animation and a clever screeplay, Lilo and Stitch also benefits from having a soundtrack filled to the brim with classic Elvis Presley songs (always a welcome addition to any movie).

15. Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Like Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, and Ben Stiller, you have to be real careful finding a movie crafted to suit Jack Black's spastic, high-energy style. Sometimes it can be really funny (High Fidelity, School of Rock) and sometimes it can be incredibly annoying (Envy, Year One). Luckily, his energetic persona was a perfect fit for his vocal role as roly-poly panda Po in Kung Fu Panda. A blast to watch from start to finish, Panda follows our tubby hero as he aspires to become the greatest Kung Fu master in the world. After an unexpected prophecy proclaims Po as the next Dragon Warrior, much to the chagrin of the local Kung Fu warriors (voiced by Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, and Seth Rogen), Po must train to fight against a former Kung Fu disciple (voice of Ian McShane) who's on his way for his revenge. Not only is Kung Fu Panda is hoot thanks to Black's hilarious performance, but the action sequences are out of this world, with choreography worthy of a Bruce Lee film.

14. Cars (2006)

Most of Pixar's films have revolved around anthropomorphized creatures or objects of non-human origin, from toys and bugs, to fish and monsters. In real life (especially back in times prior to the 1980's), cars were so diverse that in a strange, aesthetic way, they had their own "personalities" about them. So naturally, Pixar's next feature featured just that. In a world populated by living, breathing vehicles, hotshot stock car Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is the rising star in the world of auto racing. Arrogant and self-centered, McQueen is preparing for a final race for the Piston Cup when, after a late-night traveling mishap, is left stranded in the rundown town of Radiator Springs, where he is forced by the town's judge Doc Hudson (Paul Newman) to repair the road that McQueen destroyed. A light, enjoyable feature, with stunning animation, a clever story (clearly influenced by 1991's "Doc Hollywood"), and a scene-stealing vocal performance by Larry the Cable Guy (yes, you read that right).

13. Happy Feet (2006)

Ever since 2005's March of the Penguins, those cute li'l Antarctic birds have been more popular than ever. I mean, come on! They're so freaking cute! And with George Miller's Oscar-winning jukebox musical Happy Feet, penguin-mania went on the rise. In a colony of emperor penguins where everyone is expected to sing a unique "heartsong", young Mumble (voice of Elijah Wood) is the outcast. Completely tone-deaf, Mumble does have talent unseen by his colony: he's a terrific tap dancer, a talent which causes greater tension amongst the others. A wonderful film with great musical selections (ranging from Prince and Stevie Wonder, to Sinatra and The Beatles), and a powerful environmental message.

12. The Emperor's New Groove (2000)

David Spade has always been a one-character actor. In pretty much every movie he's been in, he's portrayed the smug, sarcastic jerk with not a single "nice" bone in his body. It can get old, but in this hysterical tale about a self-centered Amazonian king turned into a llama, Spade is the perfect fit for the role. In a South American jungle nation, King Kuzco is a bratty teenage ruler who plans on turning a small, nearby village into his own summer home, upsetting the villagers, especially farmer Pacha (voice of John Goodman). Meanwhile, the king's sinister advisor Yzma (voice of Eartha Kitt) secretly plots to kill the king by poisoning, but after a mishap, Kuzco is instead transformed into a llama, and is thrown into the jungle by Yzma's dim-witted henchman Kronk (voice of Patrick Warburton). Making great use of old-fashioned handdrawn animation (with special attention to Inca design and architecture), New Groove is a sly, sweet, and seriously funny exercise in voice acting. Spade and Goodman are wonderful in their roles, but the true scene-stealers are Kitt, deliciously fiendish and melodramatic, and Warburton, whose monotone inflection and delivery make for some of the film's funniest moments.

11. Coraline (2009)

Usually, "creepy" isn't a style you want for a children's movie, but director Henry Selick proved that notion wrong with his now-classic stop-motion The Nightmare Before Christmas, where potentially frightening imagery and story content stimulates the viewers' minds rather than scare them. Coraline (voice of Dakota Fanning) is the only child of Mel and Charlie (voices of Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman), who are too busy crafting their gardening catalog to pay much attention to their daughter. Bored and lonely, Coraline finds a secret wall in her room at the new house, which leads into an "Other World", where button-eyed dopplegangers of her parents reside; only this time, the "Other Parents" pay Coraline all the attention in the world. Based on the novel by fantasy maestro Neil Gaiman, Coraline is a beautiful, mindbending, and utterly imaginative fairy tale worthy of Alice in Wonderland-like acclaim.

10. Ice Age (2002)

It must've been a real bummer to have lived during the Ice Age. After all, you're just an animal trying to get by, when your planet is gradually undergoing a deep freeze that'll kill most everything there. So while all the animals are migrating to the south, a misanthropic mammoth named Manny (Ray Romano) decides to go against the trend and simply not care about where everyone else is going. Of course, you'll run into a few inconvenient roadblocks along the way, such as an obnoxiously goofy sloth named Sid (voice of John Leguizamo), a human baby separated from its tribe, and a shifty sabertoothed tiger named Diego (voice of Denis Leary) whose intentions may not be altruistic. A hilariously funny movie with simple CGI animation, Ice Age benefits from a great cast of characters, including Leguizamo's hysterically funny Sid, and the mute squirrel Scrat (voiced by Chris Wedge, the film's director), who makes for one of the funniest animated characters of all time.

9. Over the Hedge (2006)

Hollywood's been known to be a bit preachy when it comes to social critiques or moral messages. Whether it be about the environment, civil rights, or just plain being nice to one another, many a film (mostly dramas) tend to be a wee bit melodramatic in the execution of its message. Take over-consumerism and deforestation, for example. Perfect social issues for a movie, right? Well, what if we took away the focus of these two issues' impact on humans, and instead focused on animals? And what if we made the movie into an animated comedy? Well, luckily for us, the hilarious adaptation of the comic strip "Over the Hedge" makes its position known, but in a subtle and easily accessible way. A close-knit group of forest animals awaken from their hibernation only to discover their forest being chopped away to make room for a suburban development project. The animals then meet RJ the raccoon (voice of Bruce Willis), a sly charmer who supposedly has a plan to help the woodland creatures find all the food they could imagine, unaware of RJ's own con-artist ulterior motive. A clever jab at consumerism, Over the Hedge makes great use of a funny screenplay and a superb voice cast, the standout being the hysterical Steve Carell as the hyperactive squirrel Hammy.

8. Ratatouille (2007)

In the animal kingdom, you can't think of many creatures who have a worse rep than rats. After all, they're nasty, disease-ridden scavengers with a tendency to invade restaurants at a moment's notice. But in Pixar's Ratatouille, the story is told from the rodents' perspective. Remy (voice of Patton Oswalt), a rat living with his pack in a French country home's attic, dreams of things far beyond his current scavenging existence: he dreams of becoming a chef like his idol, television chef Auguste Gusteau (voice of Brad Garrett). But after being accidentally separated by his group and being washed away to Paris, Remy happens upon Gusteau's restaurant, where he plans on fulfilling his seemingly impossible aspirations. Yet another delightful notch in Pixar's belt, with a terrific cast, and animation that makes even a computer-generated Paris look more enchanting than ever.

7. The Incredibles (2004)

By 2004, the superhero movie craze was at a fever pitch, with some worthy of praise, and some worthy of heavy ridicule (Catwoman, anyone?). With so many archetypes, cliches, and classic story conventions, eventually there would need to be a movie that'd send up the entire genre. Brad Bird (director of the now-classic The Iron Giant) decided to do just that, but also with enough love and homage to make the proceedings all the more fun to watch. A loving mix of the Fantastic Four, Superman, classic Jack Kirby comic stories from the '50s and '60s, and a little bit of James Bond thrown in for good measure, The Incredibles was yet another home-run for those geniuses at Pixar Studios. With a fabulous script and direction by Bird, gorgeously colorful animation to die for, and flawless vocal performances (especially by Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, and Spencer Fox), this story of retired superheroes-gone-surburban is a terrific (super, even) work of art.

6. Persepolis (2007)

The recent strife in Iran has aroused revolution previously unheard of in the Islamic Republic, mirroring the violent upheaval during the Iranian Revolution in 1979, where the regime of the U.S.-backed Shah was overthrown by Islamic fundamentalists. But while progressives protest against the current Iranian government, the '79 revolution turned the country repressive against its people. For young, rebellious girl Marji (voice of Chiara Mastroianni), an oppressive society won't keep her spirit and resolve down. Based on the autobiographical graphic novels of Iranian-born French illustrator Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis follows the life of the iconoclastic Marji as she grows up under the regressive Republic (which she proudly defies, as she still listens to heavy metal music and still wears denim jackets), to when she escapes to France to start a new life. A tender, funny, and moving work, with highly imaginative 2D animation and a strong heroine in Marji.

5. Up (2009)

The sad reality of life it that for some of us, our lifelong dreams don't always come to fruition. We go through our lives as normal, with our hopes remaining squarely in the "pipe dream" category. Balloon salesman Carl Fredericksen (voice of Ed Asner) went his whole life with his wife Ellie hoping to live in the Amazonian landmark of Paradise Falls, but sadly, life and death got in the way. Now a widow, Carl's house is facing demolition. Not going down without a fight, Carl attaches hundreds, if not thousands, of balloons to his house, lifting up from the ground. Carl sets a course for Paradise Falls, only to discover that a 9-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell (voice of Jordan Nagai) has accidentally stowed away. A lushly animated, beautifully written, and perfect cast masterpiece, an emotional look at loneliness, our dreams, and the importance of there being no place like home.

4. Shrek (2001)

Let's face it, Disney movies have always been a justifiable target of satire and parody, what with its stock characters of spirited princesses, bland princes, talking animals, and grandiose musical numbers. Nowadays, satires have been commonplace in cinema, so why not take a (gentle) shot at Disney? Loosely based on the 1990 children's book by William Steig, Shrek not only jumpstarted a hugely successful franchise, but also brought Dreamworks into the forefront of animation. A kids' movie also meant to appeal to adult's senses of humor, Shrek is a terrific spoof of Disney, fairy tales, Aesop's Fables, and a smorgasbord of popular culture references. Mike Myers does a terrific job at the grumpy titular character, and Eddie Murphy is hysterical as the jabbermouth sidekick Donkey. A must-see.

3. WALL-E (2008)

In many a science fiction film, the future is depicted as cold, dangerous, and dystopian in nature. But what if the world got so bad that all of humanity abandoned the planet? 700 years in the future, mankind has become so consumeristic and sedentary that every left the highly polluted Earth behind, and now all reside in a huge starship/shopping mall. Back on Earth, robots have been left behind to crush the trash into cubes, but by chance, one little robot named WALL-E developed an interesting glitch: a personality. An animated movie mixed with a comedy, romance, and sci-fi film, WALL-E is a tremendous accomplishment in cinema. Proving that the old adage about a picture being worth a thousand words completely true, WALL-E manages to enthrall audiences with the story of a lonely, Chaplinesque robot with virtually no dialogue in the first third. A joyous, emotional, and terrifically-designed tale from start to finish.

2. Waltz with Bashir (2008)

As Persepolis proved, animation can serve as a highly effective medium when it comes to addressing real-life social issues and problems. Writer and director Ari Folman, who served in the Israel Defense Forces during the 1982 Lebanon War, truly had nightmarish stories to tell about the real horrors of war. One of the rare animated documentaries, Waltz with Bashir is a highly stylish, emotional, and powerful recounting of Folman's involvement in the war, focusing on the not-so-commendable actions from both sides. The film tells its story in the fashion of graphic novels and anime-style animation (reportedly combining Adobe Flash and classic animation), all while maintaining a true emotional core at the heart of the proceedings. A terrific movie, and a must-see for both those interested in history AND great filmmaking.

1. Finding Nemo (2003)

It's always difficult watching your children grow up. They start to become curious and adventurous, wishing to venture out into a world that you know can be big, scary, and even dangerous. For neurotic clownfish Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks), even letting his son Nemo (voice of Alexander Gould) leave the comfort of their home is cause enough to be overprotective. But after Nemo is snatched up by an Australian diver, Marlin must exit his comfort zone to find and save his son. A beautiful masterpiece in every sense, Finding Nemo is Pixar's greatest triumph: a tender, gorgeously made, and incredibly funny tale about the power of love and family. Never has the haunting beauty of the deep blue sea been so amazingly captured, not even in a live-action movie. The animation on display is out of this world, and the voice casting is flawless (the entire film is stolen by Ellen DeGeneres' hysterically funny performance as Dory, a flighty Blue Tang with short-term memory loss). A terrific example of how family films can actually be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike, Finding Nemo ranks as the greatest animated film of the last decade.

And the Top Five WORST Animated Films of the Decade:
5. Shrek the Third (2007)

Three times was NOT the charm for cinema's favorite green ogre (voiced by Mike Myers), following the tired, pop-culture-reference-heavy formula rather than going in a fresh new direction, and lacks the warmth and wit of the previous two entries. And Justin Timberlake as King Arthur? Sweet Jesus.

4. Doogal (2006)

In Britain, this tale about a dog trying to save the world was actually well-received. But after being overdubbed with new cast members (as well as the insertion of American pop culture references and fart jokes), Doogal turned out to be a shoddily-made, completely unfunny disaster. And Jon Stewart voices a villainous spring-like creature who shoots icebeams from his mustache. Terrible idea, or acid trip gone bad?

3. Titan A.E. (2000)

A misleading promotional campaign proved that this futuristic story about humans trying to find a new home after Earth is destroyed was anything BUT a kiddie's movie. Bloated, overlong, and rather boring nail put in the coffin of traditionally-animated films.

2. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)

Oh, George Lucas. As if your pockets weren't lined with enough cash, you needed to drive one more nail into the coffin of a once-great franchise. Merely a feature-length pilot for a Cartoon Network television series of the same name, "The Clone Wars" is a plodding, hollow, and shoddily-executed bore, with wooden characterizations, horrible animation (the puppets in the old "Thunderbirds" TV show seemed more realistic), and the story is incredibly uninspiring. The exact opposite of the fun escapism the original "Star Wars" stood for.

1. Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights (2002)

You think a live-action Adam Sandler man-child character is incredibly grating and annoying? Brother, you ain't seen nothing yet. That's all that needs to be said.

The Top 20 Sci-Fi Movies of 2000-2009

It's time to count down the twenty greatest science-fiction films the last decade offered us! Keep in mind, the parameters of a sci-fi flick are very specific: the inclusion of aliens/alien worlds, robots, time travel, dystopian/post-apocalyptic stories, outer space, futuristic technology that obviously doesn't exist in real life (or DOES it?), or themes regarding genetics. This keeps this list separate from films with supernatural, magical, or metaphysical themes that are better defined as "fantasy" (such as The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, or The Chronicles of Narnia). And since I'm crafting a list for such films in the future, fully-animated films will not be included. On to the list!

20. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Be aware that I only reluctantly include this film in my list, as neither this or "The Matrix Revolutions" come even close to capturing the sheer excitement and originality of the 1999 original. But as far as mindblowing visual effects and fight scenes go, "The Matrix Reloaded" greatly excels. The beautiful, anime-inspired action keeps the viewer transfixed to the screen, even though the quasi-religious gobbledegook of the plot begins to collapse under itself. Still, the scenes featuring human messiah Neo (Keanu Reeves) facing off against dozens of Agent Smiths (Hugo Weaving) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) battling evil albino "ghosts" on a highway are still pretty badass.

19. V for Vendetta (2006)

"Remember, remember, the fifth of November". This eerie rhyme sets the tone for the adaptation of Alan Moore's popular dystopian graphic novel, "V for Vendetta", a terrific thriller in the same vein as "1984", "Blade Runner", and "Twelve Monkeys". Set in the not-too-distant-future of London, a highly totalitarian government rules England with an iron fist, controlling all forms of police and the media for its own personal gain. Only a masked, mysterious vigilante known only as "V" (Hugo Weaving) stands up to this regime, creating a cult of personality amongst the downtrodden Londoners, who slowly rise to rebel against the government. A brilliantly-conceived political thriller, with plenty of style and action to spare.

18. I Am Legend (2007)

It must suck being the last man on Earth. It clearly isn't good for treating loneliness, nor does it soothe one's nerves since hordes of mindless, vampiric zombies are on your tail once night falls. So for scientist and lone survivor Robert Neville (Will Smith), you gotta start a routine for survival: wake up in the morning, go out with your canine companion to get groceries, chat it up with the mannequin "customers" at the video store, send out the same message via radio to any other possible survivors, and then lock up your apartment at sunset so those nasty, sun-intolerant zombies can't get at you. But unfortunately for Neville, some of those zombies seem to be getting a bit smarter, and craftier. So it's up to him to find a potential cure and help save the human race. A starkly emotional performance by Smith elevates "I Am Legend" to a grim, human experience, not just a special effects extravaganza.

17. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

James Cameron's 1991 "Terminator 2" certainly raised the bar when it came to special effects, what with the fabulous inclusion of the liquid metal T-1000 character. So after Cameron left the franchise, many thought the "Terminator" series was done for. But of course, no profitable franchise EVER ends, so director Jonathan Mostow helmed the third entry in the killer-cyborg series. Of course, it's nowhere near as influential as the first two, but surprisingly, this effort isn't half-bad. Following future-savior-of-mankind John Connor (Nick Stahl) as a nomadic adult, "T3" not only brings back the heroic T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger before heading off to become the Governator), but a new, sexier villian in the T-X, or "Terminatrix" (Kristanna Loken). With tons of awesome action setpieces, "T3" actually ends on a highly emotional note, bringing a satisfying end to the (first) "Terminator" trilogy.

16. Frequency (2000)

A subtle, yet engrossing drama, "Frequency" is an intimate look into the relationship between father and son that never was. Thirty years ago, firefighter and family man Frank Sullivan (Dennis Quaid) died in a warehouse blaze. Flashforward to the present day, and his troubled policeman son John (Jim Caviezel) is struggling to truly find his place in the world. But when John finds his father's old ham radio, the unexpected happens: aurora borealis activity causes John to be able to contact his father thirty years in the past. Warning Frank of his premature death, John attempts to reconnect with his father, in hopes of altering the past to make his family whole again. A terrific, story-driven film with stellar performances by the two leads.

15. Transformers (2007)

Let's get one thing straight: I thoroughly despise Michael Bay. The epitome of style over substance, Bay never finds a cliche or explosion he doesn't like. But for some morbid reason, I ended up enjoying (at least on an aesthetic level) his big-screen adaptation of the popular 1980's Hasbro toyline of "robots in disguise". The plot is merely perfunctory: a bunch of good robots fight a bunch of bad robots, blah blah blah, they're after some all-powerful cube, yadda yadda yadda, Shia LeBeouf and human Barbie doll Megan Fox get involved, etcetera etcetera. All of that doesn't matter when it comes to the dazzling, photorealistic CGI and action sequences. A highly entertaining way to waste time if you love nonstop destruction and a bunch of product placement.

14. Superman Returns (2006)

In 1978, director Richard Donner and actor Christopher Reeves launched the superhero film genre with "Superman", which remains one of the best comic book movies to date, thanks to a winning performance by Reeves, then-state-of-the-art special effects, and that legendary score by John Williams. After a superb sequel in 1982, and two highly subpar sequels after that, the Man of Steel finally returned to the big screen in director Bryan Singer's "Superman Returns", a loving homage to the original Donner film. Though nowhere near as good as the first two movies, "Returns" still stays true to the spirit of the character, with Brandon Routh ably filling in the late Reeves' cape and boots, and Kevin Spacey hamming it up wonderfully as Lex Luthor. Watch for a cleverly-inserted, posthumous cameo by Marlon Brando as Jor-El.

13. A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001)

In a future where the human population is greatly depleted, mankind's best bet to revive civilization is through the creation of "mechas", androids programmed with the capacity for emotion and free thought. When a child mecha named David (Haley Joel Osment) is on the run for almost killing a real child by accident, he's joined by fellow android outlaw Gigolo Joe (Jude Law), all as David hopes he can be transformed into a real boy. Obviously owing its influences to "Pinocchio", "A.I." is a mixture of director Steven Spielberg's penchant for warmth and optimism, and Stanley Kubrick's habit for crafting bleak, almost frightening future realities (Kubrick, who crafted the story in the 1970's, died two years before the film's release). A moving, thoughtful, and ultimately uplifting science-fiction yarn.

12. X-Men (2000)

The X-Men were always intended to be comic books' weirdoes and outcasts. After all, being introduced in the 1960's, the misunderstood mutant heroes served as a perfect allegory for racism, anti-semitism, and the Red Scare. Social themes like that made a film adaptation make total sense, and under the helm of director Bryan Singer, it works just perfectly. A unique, dazzling, and almost surreal sci-fi action flick, "X-Men" restarted the superhero film genre, and also introduced a rising star in Aussie actor Hugh Jackman, who played clawed badass Wolverine with raw intensity. Plus, Rebecca Romijn gets naked and blue!

11. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

The late British author and radio personality Douglas Adams' now-classic "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series was a seminal landmark in the realm of both science fiction and surreal comedy, spawning many radio adaptations, but would a film version do it justice? Well, most say that NO movie adaptation couldn't even stack up, but Garth Jennings' goofy, occasionally brilliant, and VERY British incarnation of Adams' book does come rather close. When a race of aliens called Vogons destroy Earth to make way for an interstellar expressway, a lone surviving human named Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) goes on a crazy adventure of galactic proportions, meeting a variety of strange characters along the way, all as film searches for the ever-elusive meaning of life. An almost Pythonesque experience (pretty much an intergalactic kissing cousin to "Monty Python's Meaning of Life"), "Hitchhiker" is a colorful, wildly imaginative, and even introspective look into what we're truly doing in this universe.

10. X2: X-Men United (2003)

After scoring it big with "X-Men", Bryan Singer continued his saga about the misfit mutants in "X2", only this time it's bigger, better, and more mature in its execution. Loosely based on the classic X-Men graphic novel "God Loves, Man Kills", "X2" expands on the social allegories introduced in the first film, best personified when teenage mutant Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) is asked by his parents if he could try NOT being a mutant (a clear reference to homophobia and gay persecution). Singer, who's gay and Jewish, never lets the cool action scenes overshadow the emotional resonance of the story, where the "normal" humans, like bigoted Army General William Stryker (Brian Cox) are the potential monsters, while the "unnatural" mutants are merely trying to find their place in the world.

9. Minority Report (2002)

You'd think that it'd be useful when people could actually foresee crimes, and have the perpetrators arrested before they even committed the crime. But what if a cop dedicated to serving and protecting is found to be one of those potential murderers, and is forced to go on the run? Movie maestro Steven Spielberg crafts an engaging, gritty, and engaging sci-fi mystery based on Philip K. Dick's short story "The Minority Report", mixing futurism with aspects of a film noir detective story. And even Tom Cruise turns in a performance that ISN'T douchey for once!

8. Watchmen (2009)

Have you ever wondered what would've happened if pivotal moments in history turned out differently? Like if we won the Vietnam War? Or if Richard Nixon remained in office... for three more terms? That's one of the more intriguing aspects of Zack Snyder's adaptation of Alan Moore's classic and critically-acclaimed graphic novel "Watchmen", a superhero movie mixed with mystery, political intrigue, and a subversive look into the human condition. Though not without its flaws, the movie version of "Watchmen" still has moments of absolute brilliance, capturing moments from the comic straight from the panel. Jackie Earle Haley and Jeffrey Dean Morgan steal the show as disturbed vigilantes Rorschach and The Comedian, respectively, and the visual effects are a wonder to behold.

7. Equilibrium (2002)

In a dystopian world where emotion is outlawed in order to preserve social order, one man realizes the need for emotion in an already broken world. Christian Bale plays law-enforcement officer John Preston,  who enforces anti-emotion mandates to the fullest extent of the law, thanks in part to his highly proficient combat skills. After missing an injection of the mandatory emotion-suppressing drug, Preston begins to change his outlook on what he's been ordered to do, and eventually goes underground to fight against the oppressive government he previously worked for. A highly underrated action film with a highly original premise, "Equilibrium" will always be best known for its outstanding fight scenes (including the fictional and very cool martial arts discipline known as "Gun Kata"), and its blend of film noir and dystopian science fiction.

6. Iron Man (2008)

You know you have a great movie on your hands when the title character shares his name with a Black Sabbath song. Jon Favreau sure did, and he blew audiences away with his adaptation of Marvel Comics' Golden Avenger. With a terrific, laidback, and hilarious lead performance by Robert Downey, Jr., great supporting performances by Gwenyth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges, a slick screenplay, and fabulous special effects, "Iron Man" brought superhero movies out of the slump caused by "Fantastic Four", "X-Men 3", and "Spider-Man 3", as well as setting the stage for the eventual all-star "Avengers" film down the road.

5. Serenity (2005)

It's unfortunate when a good thing comes to an end too quickly. This was certainly the case for Joss Whedon's highly popular, critically-acclaimed sci-fi television series "Firefly", which was canceled after 11 episodes in 2002 due to low ratings. Luckily, Whedon's Hollywood influence allowed for the franchise to live on at least once more in a film adaptation, titled "Serenity". About a group of renegade space pirates in the 26th century, "Serenity" is one of the rare sci-fi subgenres: the sci-fi western. Like the original 1977 "Star Wars" before it, "Serenity" employs a "used galaxy" feel, where the Wild West meets space opera. An exciting, funny, and wonderful coda to the "Firefly" legacy.

4. District 9 (2009)

Back in 2005, South African filmmaker Neill Blomkamp directed a six-minute short entitled "Alive in Joburg", a pseudo-documentary about displaced aliens being shuffled into slums in the South African city of Johannesburg, a clear allegory to the apartheid that plagued the country. It was only until Peter Jackson showed up as producer that Blomkamp adapted his short into a feature-length film, expanding upon the themes of racism, military privatization, and cultural separatism in the terrific "District 9". Starring newcomer Sharlto Copley as man-in-the-field government agent Wikus van der Werwe, a man who undergoes a horrific transformation and is forced to go on the run with the aliens he once helped oppress, "District 9" never gets too preachy in its message, but still remains relevant enough to make the viewer think about real-life horrors that the film is inspired by.

3. Children of Men (2006)

Imagine that in the near future, mankind was no longer able to reproduce, making homo sapiens an endangered species destined to die out within a hundred years. Now imagine that you discover a young woman with a secret: she's pregnant. For former activist Theo Faron (Clive Owen), he faces such a predicament, and now must guide pregnant refugee Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey) to a safe haven while avoiding not only the dystopian chaos plaguing the world since the infertility of mankind, but also the various groups dead-set on obtaining Kee's child for their own radical purposes. A grim, innovative, and masterful piece of filmmaking bolstered by terrific direction by Alfonso Cuaron, a great screenplay, and thrilling cinematography, especially its single-shot action sequences.

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Love truly has no boundaries, not even the confines of the human mind. Michel Gondry's trippy, surreal, and highly imaginative romantic drama "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" plays up on that philosophy, examining the nature of the mind, the heart, and true love. Nonlinear in its narrative and decidedly unconventional in its execution, the story follows Joel Barish (Jim Carrey), a withdrawn man who was not only dumped by his free-spirit girlfriend of two years, Clementine (Kate Winslet), but also finds out that she had all her memories of their relationship erased by a non-surgical procedure called "targeted memory erasure". Despondent, Joel decides to undergo the same procedure, but while unconscious during the operation, Joel realizes that some memories are too cherished to be erased. A fantastical journey both visually and emotionally, "Eternal Sunshine" boasts two terrific performances by Carrey and Winslet, and a spectacular study of the human mind.

1. Star Trek (2009)

"Space... the final frontier..." After ten films and five television series, you'd think we'd be sick of hearing that same classic catchphrase again. But luckily, J.J. Abrams' reboot of the venerable "Star Trek" franchise proves that an old dog can certainly learn new tricks. Rather than being a straight-up prequel, Abrams cleverly maintains the previous continuity of Gene Roddenberry's franchise, but then veers into a new, fresh direction in the origins of Kirk, Spock, Uhura, et al. "Star Trek" paves the way for new possibilities while remaining totally faithful and respectful towards its predecessors. Exciting, exhilarating, funny, tongue-in-cheek, and even emotionally gratifying, "Star Trek" is not only a triumph of directing, screenwriting, and technical wizardry, but of casting as well. Chris Pine does an exemplary job filling in Shatner's uniform as the rebellious young Kirk, and Zachary Quinto nails the role of Spock just as well as Leonard Nimoy did (and it helps that Nimoy himself shows up for a very welcome extended cameo). But above all else, "Star Trek" aims for what the original television series did proficiently: deliver a fun, engaging, and completely cathartic experience for the audience. A terrific exercise in flawless filmmaking and cinematic panache, "Star Trek" ranks as the greatest science-fiction film of the last decade.

And now the Top Five WORST Sci-Fi Films of the Decade:
5. Fantastic Four (2005)

Once "X-Men" and "Spider-Man" revitalized the superhero movie craze, it was only natural that Marvel's First Family of Superheroes were going to reach the silver screen. Sadly, little to no reverence was paid to the Fantastic Four, in this campy, poorly written, and poorly cast quagmire. With the exception of Chris Evans as the Human Torch and Michael Chiklis as the Thing, the characters are horribly portrayed, and it doesn't help that the special effects aren't even that special to look at.

4. Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones (2002)

Didn't think George Lucas had enough destroying the once-fabulous space saga he created with "The Phantom Menace"? Think again. Though he scaled down the role of prattling moron character Jar Jar Binks, Lucas still made the unwise decision to both write and direct this ridiculous piece of crap. And Hayden Christensen as a young Darth Vader? Please. Even the film's subtitle is worthy of ridicule.

3. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Don't let my half-assed praise for the first "Transformers" fool you: if Michael Bay restrained himself (to a degree) from his usual hack-director tendencies the first time around, then we put too much trust in him the second time around. Longer, louder, and a LOT dumber than the first film, "Revenge of the Fallen" is an embarrassment of epic proportions: humping dogs? Check. Humping robots? Check. Robots with testicles? Check. Awful dialogue, terrible performances, bloated runtime? Check, check, check. Oh yeah, and two racially-stereotypical robot characters? That's a big, fat, jive-talkin' check.

2. The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)

In developmental hell since the '80s, shelved for two years after production, and unwisely unleashed on innocent audiences across the world, the critical and commercial disaster called "Pluto Nash" was only the beginning of the end for Eddie Murphy's career, becoming, to date, the biggest flop in film history, making only $7 million dollars on a $100 million + budget.

1. Battlefield Earth (2000)

Take a terrible screenplay based on author and religious hustler L. Ron Hubbard's 1,000-page novel, a hackneyed production, and a horrific performance by John Travolta (who helped get the project off the ground, with his own money, no less), and you've got literally one of the WORST wastes of celluloid ever made.