While Dune, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and the upcoming and highly anticipated Matrix sequel, The Matrix Resurrections, will likely duke it out for the best sci-fi feature of 2021, there have been a few sci-fi features already released this year that have been under the radar. This could be because they borrow elements from previous sci-fi classics, and have received mixed to negative reviews due to their lack of originality or plot issues. However, the following sci-fi films convey some intriguing ideas involving time travel, love, survival, resurrection, and preserving precious memories.
The Tomorrow War, Reminiscence, and Infinite are blockbuster sci-fi epics that could have primarily been made for the big screen, but they were released on streaming services (Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and Paramount Plus, respectively), which may explain their divisive popularity in terms of quality and quantity. With the exception of Netflix's The Irishman (Scorsese's three-and-a-half-hour epic), streaming films generally run around the two-hour mark (give or take a little extra), providing audiences with films that try to offer a cinematic feel for home viewing, but not everyone may agree with it compared to watching big features in theaters.
Infinite
Infinite stars Mark Wahlberg as Evan McCauley, who actually turns out to be a man named Treadway, and has been reincarnated several times for centuries, along with his allies (the Believers) and enemies (the Nihilists). They are all classified as the Infinites (individuals who have lived many lifetimes as various human beings). While it's not exactly clear why this war is going on, the Nihilists intend to kill the Believers because they think that the ability to remember the past is a curse, and want to destroy the world (perhaps because humanity has always committed sinful acts and started world wars).
The film's characters are one-dimensional, and the plot fails to elevate some of the material due to the lack of explanations involving the ongoing war between the Infinites, but the idea that individuals can be reincarnated as different human beings over generations is intriguing because it shows that these people can obtain plenty of knowledge and skillsets. For example, Evan recognizes that, as Treadway, he knew how to fight with a sword and practiced martial arts (reminiscent of Neo learning kung-fu in The Matrix). There are action sequences and car chases that are way too rushed and fast-paced to deeply care for (especially during the abrupt ending), but they are intense and well-executed (including a frenetically climactic airplane battle).
The film's best moments are when Treadway retrains himself physically and tries to remember the history of the Infinites based on teachings from the Believers (including his leader Nora). There's also an interrogation scene involving Treadway and his nemesis Bathurst (a menacing Chiwetel Ejiofor), in which Bathurst takes out a collection of weapons (guns, knives, etc.) and asks Treadway (in order to reveal his identity) which items belong to him (this is a test that's offered to potential reincarnations of the Dalai Lama).
Reminiscence
Reminiscence offers a combination of sci-fi and film noir (in the same vein as Blade Runner), starring Hugh Jackman as a private investigator (Nick Bannister) who's infatuated by a beautiful woman named Mae (played by Hugh's Greatest Showman co-star Rebecca Ferguson). Nick and Mae fall in love with each other, but Nick realizes that Mae is a mysterious character who isn't all she appears to be and is hiding personal secrets. Nick controls an innovative machine that can allow anyone to go back in time to relive significant memories, which he uses constantly to remember his moments with Mae and to figure out what kind of trouble she's involved in.
The film may seem formulaic and uninteresting since the film operates like a dramatic novella, but it works as a combination of genres because of its unique world, while Jackman and Ferguson have terrific chemistry and are fully invested in their troubled characters. Thandiwe Newton also displays feminine power as Nick's tough and stern partner, who warns Nick about his obsession with Mae, since she also has personal demons of her own. The appearance of Miami is unique here because nearly every area is covered with water (in order to depict the effects of climate change). The best scene involves Nick fighting a corrupt cop named Booth in a flooded building with a piano, and as both men fight each other, the building becomes even more dangerous to be in, symbolizing conflicted individuals in a world continually collapsing around them.
The Tomorrow War
The Tomorrow War combines sci-fi, warfare, and time travel (similar to Edge of Tomorrow) in terms of humans being forced to enter the future to battle monstrous creatures that intend to inhabit the Earth. Chris Pratt portrays Dan Forester, a science teacher with a caring wife and young daughter, who is desperate to succeed but can't land his dream job as a researcher. When Dan is drafted into war, he becomes more stressed because he is fearful of leaving his family behind. However, due to his effective military experience, he proves to be a commanding leader for his allies and helps lead them one step closer towards ending the war against the Whitespikes (hideous creatures that move at rapid speed and can detect anyone at close proximity).
This sci-fi/war film does contain familiar material (humans fighting monsters, time-traveling from the present to the future, survival tactics), but it does pay homage to 90s military action thrillers due to the intense action sequences and hard-edged characters. Similar to his work in Guardians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt has a natural ability to combine drama and humor as a leading man, and gets tremendous support from his fellow cast members (especially Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons, and Sam Richardson). Many of the film's best scenes are Dan's intimate moments with crucial characters, including his bond with an older version of his daughter Muri (who becomes a Colonel and, like her father, is a strong leader who enjoys science and works well with weaponry).
Dan's stern father, James Forester (Simmons, with a nice beard) seems deflective at first, but then expresses compassion and regret towards his son after abandoning him years ago, and proves to be a crucial ally for Dan since he's a war veteran. Charlie (Richardson) gives the film the right dose of comic relief and humanity since he's not an expert in combat and is fearful for his life, but has a friendly bond with Dan. Along with the shootouts, there's an intense action scene during the climax that involves Dan and James fighting a huge Whitespike in the snow (which may remind horror fans of John Carpenter's The Thing).
These three sci-fi features may be underappreciated because they contain convoluted plots and elements audiences have seen before (humans vs. monsters, the concepts surrounding time and memory, people coming back to life). However, these films should be appreciated for the innovative action scenes and the sentimental performances. Each film also effectively depicts tough, conflicted characters who live in elaborate worlds and harsh environments that control their fates (or destinies). The protagonists not only use their skillsets, but also their memories, and personal histories, to understand the conflicts (and enemies) they are up against.