As my last act for 2008, below you’ll find a quick run-down of the big sci-fi movies due to release in 2009. (Let me know if there are any I’m forgetting.) Have yourself a happy, zombie-free, non-apocalyptic new year, and I’ll see you on the other side!
Fanboys (February)
Okay, so it’s not technically a sci-fi movie — but it is about a group of sci-fi geeks who break into Skywalker Ranch in 1998 to steal an early print of The Phantom Menace. Sure it’s ironic, considering that they probably won’t like it, but the quest is the thing.
Push (February)
What are Movers, Pushers, Watchers, Bleeders, Sniffers, Shifters, Wipers, Shadows, and Stitchers? They’re folks with superpowers, who decide to stop working for a bad government agency. Formulaic? Sure. But it looks like it could be fun.
Watchmen (March)
This is one of the big ones — a movie adaptation of Alan Moore’s seminal graphic novel about superheroes in a dark alternate 1985. Early buzz is that it’s outstanding, and very true to the source work, but current copyright litigation woes could end up delaying the March release.
Monsters vs Aliens (March)
I love the concept for this latest computer animated flick. Aliens keep invading Earth. Earth gets tired of it. Earth creates a team of “monsters” to defend itself. Fun ensues.
Star Trek (May)
Depending on who you ask, J.J. Abrams’ reboot of the Trek franchise will either be the best thing since sliced bread or an unholy abomination that should never have been made. But early buzz is good, and I’m personally looking forward to it.
Terminator Salvation (May)
Christian Bale as John Connor fighting cyborgs created by Skynet with 21st century CGI should have broad appeal for both men and women. I’ll admit that I’m not as excited about this one as most other people are. But I’m sure that once I see it, I’ll like it.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (May)
He’s in every other Marvel comic these days, so it only made sense that Wolverine would get his own spin-off movie. Based on the trailer, the movie looks fun, but possibly a bit aimless.
Transformers 2 (Summer)
Okay, so the real title is “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”. Whatever. Other than off-the-hook special effects, I wasn’t all that impressed with the first movie, and don’t really get the appeal of Megan Fox. But I acknowledge that I’m in the minority there.
9 (September)
I just became aware of this movie as I was researching this list actually. It’s a somewhat creepy post-apocalyptic computer animated movie that’s being backed by Tim Burton and looks really cool.
Avatar (December)
And last but not least … or maybe it is least, I’m not sure. There’s no trailer available yet. All I know is that it’s a futuristic computer animated flick by James Cameron, who says it’s “the story of a wounded ex-marine, thrust unwillingly into an effort to settle and exploit an exotic planet rich in biodiversity, who eventually crosses over to lead the indigenous race in a battle for survival.” So … yeah. Who knows?