Which sci-fi blockbuster is better?
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Star Wars
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is the second installment of the original Star Wars trilogy, and Episode 5 of the Star Wars saga. The film is based on the George Lucas story and was directed by Irvin Kershner and written by Lawrence Kasdan and Leigh Brackett.
Released in 1980, it stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams and many others from the original Star Wars film. Many critics and fans consider it the best film in the Star Wars series and one of the best films ever made due to its special effects and intricate storytelling. It takes place three years after the original Star Wars events as Darth Vader and his Imperial fleet scour the universe in search of the Rebel Alliance, fronted by Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia. Luke Skywalker is told by Obi-Wan Kenobi to go to the planet Dagobah to meet with Yoda, a Jedi Master, who will train Skywalker to be a Jedi Knight. Meanwhile, Han, Leia, Chewbaca and C3-PO escape attack and travel to Cloud City where their supposed ally Lando Calrissian turns them over to Vader. Leia professes her love to Han Solo before he is frozen and delivered to the bounty hunter Boba Fett. After returning to rescue Leia, Skywalker and Vader battle with lightsabers and Vader reveals that he is Luke’s father.
The film won 2 Academy Awards and 2 Grammys, and has grossed approximately $550 million worldwide through various re-releases over the years.
Released in 1980, it stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams and many others from the original Star Wars film. Many critics and fans consider it the best film in the Star Wars series and one of the best films ever made due to its special effects and intricate storytelling. It takes place three years after the original Star Wars events as Darth Vader and his Imperial fleet scour the universe in search of the Rebel Alliance, fronted by Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia. Luke Skywalker is told by Obi-Wan Kenobi to go to the planet Dagobah to meet with Yoda, a Jedi Master, who will train Skywalker to be a Jedi Knight. Meanwhile, Han, Leia, Chewbaca and C3-PO escape attack and travel to Cloud City where their supposed ally Lando Calrissian turns them over to Vader. Leia professes her love to Han Solo before he is frozen and delivered to the bounty hunter Boba Fett. After returning to rescue Leia, Skywalker and Vader battle with lightsabers and Vader reveals that he is Luke’s father.
The film won 2 Academy Awards and 2 Grammys, and has grossed approximately $550 million worldwide through various re-releases over the years.
Alien
Alien is the first of several films in a series. Directed by Ridley Scott, it was released in 1979 and stars Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt and Ian Holm. While it had mixed critical reviews, it was a big box office success with total receipts of over $100 Million.
The story follows the crew of a spaceship returning to earth, who are prematurely awakened by the ship’s computer due to a detected anomaly nearby. They awaken and investigate a nearby abandoned alien ship. One of the crew members upon returning to the ship convulses and in a famous scene, an alien creature emerges from his stomach and escapes. The bulk of the movie focuses on the crew’s attempts to capture the alien. Ultimately Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) confronts the alien and is able to destroy it before departing back to Earth.
The movie’s success led to a variety of media ventures including 3 sequels, several crossover films with the Predator franchise, novels, comic books, toys and video games. The alien creature was developed by the unique science fiction artist H.R. Giger. The sets and special effects were elaborate and received great praise. The film won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was nominated for Best Art Direction. It has earned an additional $40 Million from home video releases and is frequently aired on cable TV. It was influential on subsequent science fiction films, particularly the use of an alien creature and characters being trapped in an isolated or abandoned ship.
The story follows the crew of a spaceship returning to earth, who are prematurely awakened by the ship’s computer due to a detected anomaly nearby. They awaken and investigate a nearby abandoned alien ship. One of the crew members upon returning to the ship convulses and in a famous scene, an alien creature emerges from his stomach and escapes. The bulk of the movie focuses on the crew’s attempts to capture the alien. Ultimately Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) confronts the alien and is able to destroy it before departing back to Earth.
The movie’s success led to a variety of media ventures including 3 sequels, several crossover films with the Predator franchise, novels, comic books, toys and video games. The alien creature was developed by the unique science fiction artist H.R. Giger. The sets and special effects were elaborate and received great praise. The film won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was nominated for Best Art Direction. It has earned an additional $40 Million from home video releases and is frequently aired on cable TV. It was influential on subsequent science fiction films, particularly the use of an alien creature and characters being trapped in an isolated or abandoned ship.
