The website TechStartUps.com has put together the list of its eight favorite tech movies of the first decade of the 21st century. According to the website “Regardless of genre or dimension these films used technology to captivate and entertain.” While I don’t disagree with any of their choices my question is why did they leave out some deserving movies which would have made it a top ten list? To that end I’ve added two tech-oriented favorites of mine from the last decade: Duncan Jones’ independent film Moon (2009) which has echoes of the world of Avatar and of course Steven Spielberg’s AI: Artificial Intelligence (2001) which given its subject matter and main character may be the past decade’s ultimate tech movie. Here’s their list: The Matrix Trilogy (1999-2002) Amazingly Keanu Reeves manages to avoid saying dude in all three of these films. As Neo battles in an alternate universe to free human beings from machines we are treated to amazing special effects and fight scenes and a mind blowing story. Harry Potter Films (2001-2009) The directors of the film adaptations of the Harry Potter novels did not cast spells to capture the magical world of Hogwarts; they just used good old- fashioned special effects. Whether Harry and friends were confronting unicorns or dragons flying or vanishing the special effects in the films are enough to leave audiences of all ages in awe. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Aside from diehard Tolkien fans this adaptation of the books can please almost any fan. Frodo’s quest for the ring is enthralling and only made more exciting by the epic fight scenes and various creatures he happens upon through middle-earth. Minority Report (2002) Before the world knew how devoted Tom Cruise was to scientology we rooted for him to fight against a futuristic crime-fighting lab that arrests people on the prediction of murder. Regardless of one's view of Cruise now this Steven Spielberg film will entertain and make you think about the power of technology. Transformers (2007) Based on the classic toy line this film may offend traditionalists who grew up on Transformers but for everyone else it is simply a thrilling action film. While the plot line may not be the best the special effects and action scenes more than compensate. Wall-E (2008) This movie’s blend of social commentary comedy and a love story is captivating for both children and adults. In a future where earth is uninhabitable and people are too lazy to even hit their own golf balls a robot falls in love and manages to help save the planet and put a smile on our faces at the same time. District 9 (2009) This film (shot for around $30 million) proved that a big budget is not needed to effectively employ technology. With its documentary style camera work commentary on apartheid and of course its cool special effects (especially when it comes to people or aliens dying) this movie has something for everyone. Avatar (2009) The granddaddy of them all this is the movie that threatens to make 2D films obsolete. James Cameron’s planet Pandora and his special effects are sure to make eyes pop out much like the movie itself does.
