Cinema: This science fiction film would be the most realistic according to NASA!

Star Wars, Back to the Future or Men in Black: la science-fiction (SF) a rocked our childhood. Visionary scenarios, futuristic technologies, imaginary societies, SF films captivate with their ability to push the limits of imagination. In fact, they inevitably take liberties with the laws of physics and scientific knowledge. And let’s face it, these films are appreciated more for their entertaining aspect than for their realism. Even if certain works are distinguished by their concern to stick to real scientific advances, making the boundary between reality and fiction finer. Interstellar, Alone on Mars or even I Robotto name just a few. In 2011, NASA experts decided to rate a wide range of science fiction films based not on their box office success or popularity, but on their scientific plausibility.

This analysis aimed to identify the most credible films of those who take too many liberties with reality. To everyone’s surprise, Welcome to Gattacaa 1997 film directed by Andrew Niccol, topped this list for its realistic approach to genetic progress. An unexpected choice which contrasts with better-known blockbusters, but much less scientifically precise.

NASA and cinema: an unexpected scientific analysis

In 2011, during a meeting at Jet Propulsion LaboratoryNASA has released a list of the best and worst science fiction films, based on their scientific realism. This ranking included works like Star Warsbut also blockbusters like 2012 et Armageddon in the category of least credible. Conversely Welcome to Gattaca stood out for its scientific rigor. The film, directed by Andrew Niccol in 1997, is a dystopia where genetics controls the destiny of individuals. According to NASA, such a scenario would be “entirely possible” and is based on credible scientific principles. In this universe, genetic selection makes it possible to predetermine the characteristics of children before they are borna concept which, although exaggerated for cinema, finds echoes in current research on the human genome. In fact, the first publicly announced genetic modification of an embryo did not date from yesterday. In 2018, experiments in China caused an outcry in the highest scientific circlesfor ethical reasons.

Today, the rise of technologies like CRISPR, which make it possible to manipulate DNA to eliminate certain diseases, makes the film more current than ever27 years later. In the film, Vincent Freeman, played by Ethan Hawke, born naturally without genetic modification, fight against a system that favors the “able-bodied”those whose DNA was optimized before birth. He then takes on the identity of a genetically perfect man to realize your dream of becoming an astronaut. According to NASA, this account is not only credible, but also reflects ethical dilemmas raised by progress in genetics.

A classic in the shadow of giants of the genre

The film not only appealed to scientists with its realism. When it was released, Welcome to Gattaca did not enjoy immediate commercial success – only collecting more than $15 millionit ranks very far compared to the behemoths released at the same time. Released the same year, the first Men in Black gleaned more than $250 million in revenue. A film, initially, rather unknown, therefore, but which still received an Oscar nomination for its artistic direction and a Golden Globe nomination for its soundtrack. It was only several years later that he became a classicpraised for its ability to anticipate contemporary debates around eugenics and genetic manipulation. The proof, an adaptation of the film for the small screen was even in the works. In 2023, Allocinated reported that the creators of the series HomelandHoward Gordon and Alex Gansa, predicted a reboot in series of Gattaca. The project, led by Showtime, finally fell through due to copyright issues. Damage…

What about the other films on the list?

Besides Welcome to GattacaNASA placed Contact (1997) et Metropolis (1927) in second and third place among the most realistic films. These works are also distinguished by their solid scientific approach. For example, Contactdirected by Robert Zemeckis, focuses on the search for extraterrestrial life and is based on existing astronomical theories. Conversely, films like Armageddon or The core have been singled out for their blatant scientific errors. 2012in particular, which announced the end of our world on this date, was judged to be one of the worst in terms of realism. Obviously, the NASA ranking, established in 2011, does not consider the masterpieces released in theaters since, nor the series – there is no doubt that Black Mirroron Netflix, could be at the top of such a list. The cinematic landscape has seen the birth of works like Interstellar (2014) or Alone on Mars (2015), which were also praised for their scientific credibility. And Welcome to Gattaca still maintains its first place, perhaps it is time for NASA to reevaluate its ranking in the light the latest scientific advances and cinematographic releases. Either way, you know what to watch tonight!

Sources :

• “According to NASA, this science fiction film released in 1997 is the most realistic ever created”Science and Life, July 7, 2024
• “This ’90s Sci-Fi Movie Is the Most Accurate According to NASA, Now It’s Becoming a Series”Allociné, March 18, 2023
• “Welcome to Gattaca: What award did the film receive from NASA?”Diverto, August 25, 2024
• “The best science fiction films of all time, according to NASA”Far Out, November 3, 2023

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