The Evolution of Movies
By Travis K. McSherley

Science fiction is a most interesting genre of books, movies, and television.  From Lost in Space, Star Wars, and Star Trek, to countless stories about dinosaurs, robots, monsters, the future, and so on, we have always held a fascination for the fantasic and the almost-impossible.  I must admit that I am among this group of sci-fi fans, especially of the Star Wars series.  I love a good story and science fiction seems to provide many fun and intriguing plotlines.

I suppose, then, that we sci-fi fans should be ecstatic about the selection of sci-fi comedies, thrillers, and action movies at theaters this summer.  Science fiction films galore, such as A.I., Planet of the Apes, Jurassic Park III, Evolution, and others are vying to be among our viewing choices during the summer movie season.

I have seen a good chunk of these films over the past few months; some have been decent, while most left plenty to be desired.  But if you have seen any of these movies recently, or others like them, then you may have noticed a common theme running loose in just about all of them.  It seems to be harder and harder not to notice that the subject of evolution seems to be a part -- if not the central focus -- of most new science fiction films released, leaving me to wonder where we are supposed to draw the line between science and fiction.

It didn't always seem to be this difficult.  Most sci-fi films that I have seen, such as Star Wars, don't take themselves too seriously.  It doesn't matter to me that lightsaber swords do not coordinate with physics.  I'm not bothered by the fact that every planet the Skywalkers visit is inhabitable, or that all the humans speak English.  I could care less where they acquired all the parts for the "Death Star."  Those movies were fun, and that was enough.

Today, however, it appears that having a "fun" movie is not enough.  Moviemakers seem to be obsessed with throwing a classroom session on the origin and evolution of life into almost every sci-fi film they put together.  Shows like X-Men, Planet of the Apes, and Jurassic Park, while otherwise decent movies, each spend a great deal of time explaining how characters "evolved" into being.  Unfortunately, this is not done in a method of following the fantasy of the story, but it is spoken of as if if were a parenthesis of "truth" inside the "fiction" story.  About the 2001 Planet of the Apes, Brian Vallorani of Answers in Genesis said this:

The most disturbing attributes of the movie were its anti-Christian overtones and references to evolution as scientific fact. The story reveals that the apes evolved from a small population of test animals into highly intelligent beings capable of a complex society and religion.

I was saddened that Hollywood is so successful at mocking God and the Bible. In reality, this anti-Christian movie is just a symptom of a deeper problem. It is the by-product of a nation and culture that has rejected its Creator. (1)

But the unfortunate reality is that many of the same ideas you try to avoid by skipping movies are the same ideas that are being propogated by the evening news, by the Sunday paper, and by your sons' and daughters' textbooks.  Believe me, I've read from (a few) of those textbooks, and their stories are no less fantastic than many science "fiction" movies.  The most important thing is that you and those around you find out the truth, the absolute truth.  However shaky the "facts" may be, just as the years before and the years to come, this is the year of our Lord.

(1) http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2001/0730mr.asp