Post-apocalyptic films: is there life after the end of the world?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Quite gloomy pictures of the collapse of civilization, when humanity is on the verge of death due to some kind of global catastrophe, are painted by post-apocalyptic films that have recently become fashionable.

Viruses are to blame for everything

In the opinion of the creators of such tapes, for example, epidemics that turn people into monsters can lead to chaos and destruction of all vital foundations. It is about such cataclysms that we are talking about in the 3rd and 4th parts of the sensational franchise, in which Mila Jovovich shines - "Resident Evil". A handful of survivors are desperately fighting zombies in the work of Oscar-winning Englishman Danny Boyle "28 Days Later". It is interesting that several alternative endings of the picture were filmed at once, deciding the fate of the hero played by Cillian Murphy in different ways. The sequel to the film "28 Weeks Later" loses a little to the prequel - perhaps due to a change in director. The same idea (about a malicious virus, only replaced by an unsuccessful cancer vaccine) was carried out by the authors in the thriller "I Am Legend". Will Smith's character and his faithful dog appear to be the only inhabitantsa huge piece of the planet, however, not losing hope.

Very often they are hopelessly sad, these post-apocalyptic films. The list can be continued with "The Book of Eli" with Denzel Washington and brilliant Harry Oldman, who perfectly plays the role of a scoundrel. Or the tape "The Road", where the father and son (who are brilliantly played by Viggo Mortensen and young Cody Smith-McPhee) are looking for ways to escape.

Cult things

Post-apocalyptic films may not be masterpieces, such as "Aeon Flux" or "Children of Men", but they can carry a powerful emotional message. Such is the anti-utopia "Equilibrium", which shows the viewer the future "prosperous" society. Its members are devoid of emotions, and therefore they have nothing to worry about. The directors of the Wachowskis in the revolutionary "Matrix" went even further, forcing the characters inhabiting their world to believe in a simulation of life. Smart mechanisms have thus replaced reality, sucking energy from people who are in the likeness of a dream, which they take for real life. This order of existence can only be destroyed by a certain chosen one, on whom the rebels who have escaped from the fetters of deceit hope. The iconic role of Keanu Reeves, wonderful images created by Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss. These post-apocalyptic films are thought-provoking and awaken both the mind and the imagination.

It's not so sad

Somewhat absurd thought about the possibility of seizing power by highly organizedmammals are conducted by Tim Burton in his "Planet of the Apes", which can also be classified as "post-apocalyptic films". Quite cheerfully look at the world captured by carnivorous zombies, the authors of the picture "Welcome to Zombieland". In this "black" comedy, the heroes of an experienced and very talented artist Woody Harrelson and a beginner, but who has already proven himself from the very good side of Jesse Eisenberg, "light up" to glory. The treacherous sisters played by Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin, who is rapidly progressing from role to role, are charming. While it's impossible to cover the entire category of post-apocalyptic films in one article, a list of the best of them would be incomplete without mentioning recent The Hunger Games and Oblivion.