In the vast universe of cinema, there's a special place for films where a lone hero or a group of brave souls take on the mantle of saving humanity, or even the universe itself, from impending doom. These sci-fi saviour films not only entertain but also inspire, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit against all odds. Here's a selection of 10 such films, each with its own unique take on the saviour narrative, offering a blend of action, emotion, and thought-provoking themes.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Description: An alien named Klaatu arrives on Earth with a message of peace, but his robot companion, Gort, is programmed to destroy humanity if they do not change their ways, making Klaatu a reluctant saviour.
Fact: The film was one of the first to deal with the theme of nuclear disarmament. It was remade in 2008 with Keanu Reeves.
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The Last Starfighter (1984)
Description: Alex Rogan, an arcade game champion, is recruited to fight in an interstellar war, becoming the saviour of the Star League against the evil Xur and the Ko-Dan Armada.
Fact: The film was one of the first to use CGI extensively. The arcade game in the movie was created and actually worked.
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The Fifth Element (1997)
Description: Korben Dallas, a former special forces major turned taxi driver, is thrust into a mission to save Earth from an ancient evil, embodying the saviour role in a vibrant, futuristic setting.
Fact: The film was initially conceived as a comic book by Luc Besson. The role of Leeloo was offered to several actresses before Milla Jovovich was cast.
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The Matrix (1999)
Description: Neo, a hacker, discovers that his reality is actually a simulation called "The Matrix" and joins a group of rebels to fight against its controllers, the Machines. His journey to becoming "The One" epitomizes the saviour archetype.
Fact: The film's "bullet time" effect revolutionized action sequences in cinema. The Wachowskis wrote the script in just three weeks.
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Equilibrium (2002)
Description: In a dystopian future where emotions are outlawed, John Preston, a high-ranking enforcer, becomes the catalyst for change, leading a rebellion against the oppressive regime.
Fact: The film's gun kata fighting style was created specifically for this movie. Christian Bale did most of his own stunts.
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The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
Description: Riddick, a fugitive, must save his people from the Necromongers, an alien race bent on conquering the universe, fulfilling a prophecy as their saviour.
Fact: The film was originally intended to be a direct-to-video release but was upgraded to a theatrical release due to fan demand.
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Avatar (2009)
Description: Jake Sully, a paraplegic Marine, becomes part of the Na'vi, an indigenous race on Pandora, and leads them in a fight against human exploitation, becoming their saviour.
Fact: Avatar was the first film ever to be released in 3D worldwide. It held the record for the highest-grossing film for nearly a decade.
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Elysium (2013)
Description: Max Da Costa, a factory worker, undergoes a transformation to infiltrate Elysium, a space station where the elite live, to bring equality and medical care to Earth's impoverished masses.
Fact: The film's title refers to the Elysian Fields, a paradise in Greek mythology. The movie was shot in Vancouver, Canada.
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Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Description: Major William Cage relives the same day repeatedly, gaining knowledge and skills to eventually lead humanity to victory against an alien invasion, becoming an unlikely saviour.
Fact: The film is based on the Japanese novel "All You Need Is Kill". Tom Cruise did most of his own stunts.
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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
Description: Luke Skywalker, a farm boy, learns of his destiny to overthrow the evil Empire and becomes a pivotal figure in the Rebel Alliance's fight for freedom.
Fact: The film was originally released simply as "Star Wars". The title was changed to include "Episode IV" and "A New Hope" for its 1981 re-release.
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