Sci-fi+Movie+Analysis

=Ultraviolet= Written and directed by Kurt Wimmer (2006)

media type="youtube" key="1-ca2mencig" height="231" width="430" align="right" Keywords: Action-Adventure, Sci-fi, Futuristic, Superhero, Female Protagonist, Martial Arts

In the mid-late 21st century a virus called HGV (Hemoglophagic virus), is accidently released upon humanity. The trouble began when an American weapons lab discovered an obscure virus that had been around for centuries. They tried to modify it to create faster and stronger soliders, but instead they created a more contagious form of the disease. While working for a local medical facility, violet was accidently infected with the virus. The trouble began when violet's husband was shot and killed by an unknown assaliant. This bloody incident led to violet contracting the virus and losing her unborn child. Being threatened to be taken to medical concentration camps for the infected populous, violet fled local authorities and formed and underground resistance with a few remaining uncaptured carriers of the HGV virus. Now, violet is ready to fight back for her freedom while searching for a cure!


 * Rationale:** The reason I chose Ultraviolet for my movie analysis assignment is quite simple.First and foremost, I felt as if Ultraviolet possesed the qualities of a great sci-fi film. Although the film received mixed reviews, it's theatrical release was highly anticipated. Secondly, Ultraviolet portrayed a few aspects of the science fiction genre that were mentioned in the textbook, which would make doing my analysis that much easier.


 * Historical Context:** Ultraviolet is set in the mid-late 21 century, in a era defined by the fear of disease. Humanity is so far advanced in this film. Things such as human cloning, technological advanced weapons, flying cars, and dna manipultion are depicted in this film. This movie is closely compared to the Holocaust, in which the Nazi' exterminated nearly six million Jews during World War II. Similarily, the plot in this film promotes the extermination of the hemophages.


 * Reading Connection:**
 * Scientific Irresponsibility (Led to the outbreak of the HGV virus.)
 * The Darker Side of Technology (Irresponsibility ushered in a dystopian type era.)
 * Dystopia: Individual Freedom vs. Dominant Power System (Violet and fellow Hemophages vs Medical Authority System.)
 * Evil Corporations (Medical Authority System trying to enslave and exterminate infected human race(Hemophages).)


 * Theoretical Framework:** Out of all theories discussed in Chapter 1, I would have to say that Cultural Materialism is most relevant to Ultraviolet. According to the text, Cultural Materialism refers to the theoretical approach which foregrounds the complex interplay of factors associated with cultural change. Likewise in the Ultraviolet film, the HGV virus caused a major change in society on a economical, political, and institutional level. The irresponsible use of technology led humanity into an dystopian era.


 * Analysis:** Let me start off by saying that I can truly understand why the theories surrounding technology and culture are two-side, negative and positive. Sci-fi films and stories always seem to depict the negative sides of techno-culture, which has also led to the fear of a technological advanced society. I have seen the Ultraviolet film at least 2-3 times and each time I viewed it I witnessed it for what it was, an action packed sci-fi film that was set in the distant future. However, after watching Ultraviolet this time around my viewing perspective changed. I began to look deeper into the plot as it relates to techno-culture. I asked myself one question.....What would happen if the plot in Ultraviolet really took place? How would society react to this change?

If there is one thing that I've learned from watching this film and reading the text, its that society should be more cautious when experimenting with technological change. Society should be careful not to let their technological successes put possible failures out of their sight. When implementing something new trial and error seems to be the best way to fully understand how well something works. Even with trial and error there may be loop holes. For example, "Frankenstein is so consumed by the spirit of scientific experiment, and so excited by his success, that he fails to foresee the consequences of his achievement (Murphie and Potts, //Culture & Technology Pg. 100//)." In similarity, when the American weapons lab discovered the virus and attempted to modify it, they seemed to be so overwhelmed with the success of their findings and experimentation that they totally disregarded the chances of the virus becoming contagious.