In terms of how we view science fiction movies today, the 1980s was easily the most influential and formative decade. But, interestingly enough, by 1983 after the release of Return of the Jedi, the massive influence of the Star Wars franchise on blockbuster sci-fi movies had morphed into a new phenomenon: the anti-Star Wars sci-fi epic. 1984’s Dune and 1986’s Aliens are two great examples of this miniature trend, a moment where great directors like David Lynch and James Cameron attempted to wrest the storytelling themes and aesthetics of space-based sci-fi cinema away from the Star Wars mold. And sandwiched smack-dab in the middle of this moment was a cult flick that bombed in 1985, but went on to become a classic.
