In a post-apocalyptic machine-dominated world, WHO would you be?

[ChronoGrl]

So a few nights ago, Mark and I watched Terminator: Salvation. It was OK for an action movie; I mostly geeked out over the post-apocalyptic landscape (I'm a sucker for pretty much any post-apocalyptic representation of the Earth)... But anyway... I'll leave my critique of the movie aside and just cut to the point, but the MOST interesting question that it brought to mind was:

If you were a human in the post-apocalyptic machine-dominated world of Terminator: Salvation, who would you be? And why?

[Elvis_Christ]

The guy trying to survive. They always end up being the real hero anyway.

What other post apocalyptic flicks do you like?

[ChronoGrl]

Good point with your reasoning, but I'm not sure if I could handle the whole "hero" thing. You generally have to wind up sacrificing yourself for your followers all Jesus-style and I'm not sure if I'm up for that. Let's just say that in terms of the Matrix, I'd take the pill that lands me back IN to the Matrix... Reality and responsibility sucks.

ALSO, I have to think about being in this post-apocalyptic world as a woman which already comes loaded... Guys are going to be all like, "Hey, baby, let's copulate and save humanity..." FUCK THAT.

I have another rant in terms of why I, too, would also be the guy just trying to survive, but now I'm trying to focus on other post-apocalyptic movies that make me geek out:


Road Warrior - My dad showed this to me when I was wee, so it has a special place in my heart. Say what you will about silly leather-clad survivor stereotypes, that movie is a HELL of a lot of fun, fantastic, and great.
28 Weeks Later - I actually liked this better than the first one; I really liked the post-apocalyptic world that was created by the outbreak and how it creates a pure human horror.
Planet of the Apes (1968) - Obviously a CLASSIC. Also shown to me when I was wee.
Matrix - This was really the first movie that made me identify with a coward. Quite frankly, I'm with the guy who would rather stay in the Matrix than unplug into the real world... Though I wouldn't necessarily rat out humankind to do so.
Land of the Dead - Not my favorite zombie movie, by ANY means, but like I said, I geek out over post-apocalyptic stuff. Love seeing the distopic landscape.
Blade Runner - While not necessarily post-apocalyptic, I lump it into the genre because it DOES display a distopic future, which is a concept that post-apocalyptic movies definitely play into. I might lump The Crow and Dark City into this category too.
Resident Evil - Like Land of the Dead, I don't necessarily like the movies as a whole, but I like the world that they create - I'm more interested in taking on the role of Alice and just letting myself go with it. It's how I feel about Terminator: Salvation. Some people here have said that it's an unnecessary sequel. I don't care. I just like seeing the distopic concepts; the robots taking over the water, for example since humans need water.
A Boy and his Dog - Been a while since I've seen this one, but FANTASTIC.
Night of the Comet - Post-apocalypse in the IMMEDIATE future... Overlooked classic.


It's part of the reason why I totally dig Fallout 3 on the 360. I can live in that post-apocalyptic landscape and just be a survivor... LOVE that set up.

But I'm rambling - I feel like I'm leaving out a few key movies. :-/ Do you like this genre? What are your favorites? I definitely want to check out ones I haven't seen.

[Elvis_Christ]

Yeh I love that kinda stuff especially the 80s Italian stuff. Some of my favorites would be the Bronx Warriors series, 2019: After The Fall Of New York and Endgame (its like a cross btw Death Race and The Running Man... fuckin' rad!).

This site has some interesting info/reviews on the genre:

http://www.post-apocalypse.co.uk/index.html

[neverending]

I like many of your choices Chrono- particularly Road Warroir & A Boy and His Dog. I had the extreme pleasure of hearing Harlan Ellison read a prequel to it, called "Eggsucker" at a sci fi con.

One of my all time faves of this type is The Blood of Heroes

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094764/

Rutger Hauer, Joan Chen, Vincent D'Onofrino, lots of action, and the gritty look these films need.

I think Hardware fits in here too. I think.

Haha- sorry to sidetrack your thread. In your scenario I'd be some old dude who got picked off right away.

[Ferox13]

I'd be part of a post apocalyptic troop of homo sexual knights templar...

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii267/LuigiBastardo/Grindhouse-01.jpg

[Elvis_Christ]

Salute of the Jugger (uncut version of Blood of Heroes) had its moments but it could've been way better. I dig the costumes and set design of that one because they have a really timeless aesthetic (unlike say Rollerball which looks dated as fuck).

But that flick definitely has it plus points genrewise. I like the themes of what "society" becomes ingrossed in to distract them from how fucked the world/life is. A few other titles explore this too. The Last Man on Earth and Dawn of the Dead set the ball rolling with the whole deal of entertaining you (whether its scares/action) and making you think.

The original Terminator was brilliantly written to illusrate ugly the present was (Reagan era) and how it would lead to total war, destruction and the breakdown of society (Bush(s) era and onwards Obama could be a robot that thinks he's human probably the only way a system that fucked up would let a "nigger" be in charge :) ). Totally dark as fuck nothing in the series matched it and its a real pity that sequels followed it... pretty solid they didn't make Bladerunner II <---- bet it would've had the II to look smarter and look academically more sellable. The "aniversary different" cuts are as insulting as shit Lucas pulled with THX-1138 and Star Wars (especially Jedi holy shit a bunch of the added effects looked stupid as fuck especially on the big screen). Of course the director's cut of BR had to be released (it was an improvement IMO apart from the fact I liked the voiceovers) but that Final Cut bullshit was just a cash grab. But yeh in 10 years time there will be another cut to make it look acurately futuristic. How come WB didn't let

Its interesting how they made Robocop a good guy and the question authority (Biznu$ + tha polelez) theme that runs rampant in the flick. Satire of the whole way the world is heading that's effect has almost calmed everyone with the advent of it actually happening.

Its a great genre that people miss the point about (like Doomsday and the Death Race remake... GTFO). Prophetic escapism... FUCK YEH!

[urgeok2]

i'd be a resistance fighter.

i dont like to lead people - but i make a good right hand man.

[_____V_____]

i'd be a resistance fighter.

i dont like to lead people - but i make a good right hand man.

Same as me, hence I picked that too earlier.

Somehow I see myself as more useful with a weapon in hand in a post-apocalyptic scenario. As the saying goes, I d rather have one and not use it, than not have one and feel the need for it.

[Elvis_Christ]

This is my rifle
This is my gun
This is for shooting
This is for fun

[_____V_____]

LOL...

Ok, ok...I edited my reply. ;)

[ferretchucker]

Guy trying to survive. Don't wanna draw attention to myself.

[Angra]

Why can't i chose Gollum?

[ChronoGrl]

Yeh I love that kinda stuff especially the 80s Italian stuff. Some of my favorites would be the Bronx Warriors series, 2019: After The Fall Of New York and Endgame (its like a cross btw Death Race and The Running Man... fuckin' rad!).

This site has some interesting info/reviews on the genre:

http://www.post-apocalypse.co.uk/index.html

I don't know those at all - I'll have to check them out. Thanks for the recs and the site - That site is awesome!

I like many of your choices Chrono- particularly Road Warroir & A Boy and His Dog. I had the extreme pleasure of hearing Harlan Ellison read a prequel to it, called "Eggsucker" at a sci fi con.

One of my all time faves of this type is The Blood of Heroes

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094764/

Rutger Hauer, Joan Chen, Vincent D'Onofrino, lots of action, and the gritty look these films need.

I think Hardware fits in here too. I think.

Haha- sorry to sidetrack your thread. In your scenario I'd be some old dude who got picked off right away.

VERY cool that you got to hear Harlan Ellison read... The closest I got was when he was supposed to have an interview on NPR but he walked out because they referred to him as a "science fiction writer."

SPEAKING of Harlan Ellison and post-apocalyptic stories, "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" is delightfully horrifying. Fantastic short story. Had the computer game, too, but I found it too bleak to actually enjoy it.

I. LOVE Rutger Hauer. I'll have to check that out. Thanks.

Haven't seen Hardware yet, but it's on my list.



Salute of the Jugger (uncut version of Blood of Heroes) had its moments but it could've been way better. I dig the costumes and set design of that one because they have a really timeless aesthetic (unlike say Rollerball which looks dated as fuck).

But that flick definitely has it plus points genrewise. I like the themes of what "society" becomes ingrossed in to distract them from how fucked the world/life is. A few other titles explore this too. The Last Man on Earth and Dawn of the Dead set the ball rolling with the whole deal of entertaining you (whether its scares/action) and making you think.

The original Terminator was brilliantly written to illusrate ugly the present was (Reagan era) and how it would lead to total war, destruction and the breakdown of society (Bush(s) era and onwards Obama could be a robot that thinks he's human probably the only way a system that fucked up would let a "nigger" be in charge :) ). Totally dark as fuck nothing in the series matched it and its a real pity that sequels followed it... pretty solid they didn't make Bladerunner II <---- bet it would've had the II to look smarter and look academically more sellable. The "aniversary different" cuts are as insulting as shit Lucas pulled with THX-1138 and Star Wars (especially Jedi holy shit a bunch of the added effects looked stupid as fuck especially on the big screen). Of course the director's cut of BR had to be released (it was an improvement IMO apart from the fact I liked the voiceovers) but that Final Cut bullshit was just a cash grab. But yeh in 10 years time there will be another cut to make it look acurately futuristic. How come WB didn't let

Its interesting how they made Robocop a good guy and the question authority (Biznu$ + tha polelez) theme that runs rampant in the flick. Satire of the whole way the world is heading that's effect has almost calmed everyone with the advent of it actually happening.

Its a great genre that people miss the point about (like Doomsday and the Death Race remake... GTFO). Prophetic escapism... FUCK YEH!

THX-1138: Loved that movie when I watched it, though I'm not sure if I saw the one with added effects (I watched it when I was younger, so probably before he had the means to ruin it.

[ChronoGrl]

So back to "In a post-apocalyptic machine-dominated world, WHO would you be...

Before I go into my reasoning for my choice, I have to make one assumption that I have going into this clear:

In the post-apocalyptic future of a machine-dominated society, I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that the machines will win.

The only two things that humans have over machines would be sentience and empathy, correct? Well, the assumption made in this dystopic future is that the machines ARE sentient, so there goes THAT human advantage... Also, in terms of empathy, when it comes to war and survival, I actually think that's a weakness... So MAJOR advantage to the machines. On top of that, machines don't have to eat or drink. They can easily poison human water and BAM! humans are screwed and machines are fine!

Also. Machines are significantly more efficient when it comes to pretty much anything... Shooting... Killing.... One of the things that bothered me about Terminator: Salvation is that THE MACHINES COULD NOT KILL JOHN CONNOR. Quite frankly, they fall into the same kind of trap as your typical Bond Villain. A quick shot to the head will kill the fucker. And his father too. There is no way in HELL that a cold-blooded KILLING ROBOT wouldn't do that. In an actual machine-dominated future, the machines win.

THEREFORE:

I'd never be a. Despite the fact that being a sole leader/hero SUCKS. I mean, you're essentially on track to go the Jesus route and will eventually have to complete sacrifice yourself for your followers, if you're a TRUE hero. So even if there IS a chance of success over the enemy, you're still dead. Some people might say, "Nobel cause, blah blah blah," but fuck that. I'm getting shot at by machines! Also, being a leader is a LOT of work and responsibility. Being humanity's last surviving savior... LOTS or responsibility. I don't think I want to deal with that pressure. And that's even if I COULD save them. As it is, I'm already wary of being a WOMAN in the post-apocalyptic future. I'd be under enough stress already with people being all, "Come on, baby, we need to copulate to save humanity." Wonder if post-apocalyptic doctors would be good at tube-tying. Birth Control pills have to run out eventually.

I think it's pretty clear that I wouldn't be b, either. Survival? Sure, sounds like a good cause... BUT NOT IF THE MACHINES WILL EVENTUALLY WIN. I think that the whole resistance is just a waste of time... I'd rather just be chilling in my little post-apocalyptic shack, living my day-to-day, not the hopeless front lines of PAWNS.

D is actually REALLY tempting, especially with the understanding that I'd be teaming up with the winning team. However, with all of the aforementioned advantage traits of the machines, that leads me to believe that they simply would not make good bedfellows. They'd use me and then get rid of me for knowing to much. Also, after my failed attempt at being "evil" in Fallout 3, I'm PRETTY sure that my guilty conscious wouldn't allow me to follow through with it.

So that just leaves C. Quite frankly, I could really care less about the survival of humanity as a whole, especially since they are going to be vanquished anyway by robots... I figure that the best thing that I can do for myself is just survive, make the most of it, and frame a DAMN GOOD POST-APOCALYPTIC FUTURE. First order of business is taking care of me and mine. We could have our own little shack. Sure, if people come to me with little side quests, I'll help them out, but in terms of the MAIN QUEST, forget it. Just because humanity is about to be vanquished doesn't mean I can't enjoy myself.

[Bloodbytes]

I'd be looking for a way to control the machines I'm evil like that :)

[massacre man]

I'd be the guy walking around with a Super Soaker and a hammer.

[Angelakillsluts]

Resistance fighter. I've never been much of a leader, I'd be a good little soldier though. :p

[bloody_ribcut]

im john conner.

[ChronoGrl]

Wow. So no one will be a human spy for the machines?

Or is no one admitting to it? o.O

[wufongtan.]

I will find a old castle and steal a suit of armour. And pretend to be a robot.
*beep* how are you? *beep* can i have a drink of *whrip* ur oil please *beep* *Whirl* this stupid thread does not *beep* compute..*whurp* beep* buzz* O no my windows program os *beeping* crashing.
No bugger it.. I'll be superman.

[Elvis_Christ]

I will find a old castle and steal a suit of armour. And pretend to be a robot.
*beep* how are you? *beep* can i have a drink of *whrip* ur oil please *beep* *Whirl* this stupid thread does not *beep* compute..*whurp* beep* buzz* O no my windows program os *beeping* crashing.
No bugger it.. I'll be superman.

http://i46.tinypic.com/30k64g3.jpg

[wufongtan.]

http://i46.tinypic.com/30k64g3.jpg

Its a picture of picard saying "why the fuck is this shit." I would suggest his show is shit because he is a bad actor. And the show had lame story lines.
Your thoughts?

[Elvis_Christ]

Nah Next Generation is sweet, its more interesting than the original series and all the shitty shows that were made after it.

[wufongtan.]

sadly...that is true.

[sopater]

Voted. A Resistance Fighter. Why not machine gun some robots all in the name of humanity. LOL...Or hide under a rock somewhere!

http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac31/sopater/Oprahofthedead.jpg