Filmmaker/James Cameron
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Mass Extinction | Extending Perception via Other Means | |
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The Terminator (1984) | Skynet's nuclear apocalypse aims to exterminate humanity. | The cyborg's POV, resembling a video camera feed, represents Skynet’s ability to explore and manipulate events across the barrier of time. |
Aliens (1986) | The aliens wipe out all but one of the colonists, showcasing a theme of near-total extinction. This is followed by the aliens themselves being mostly wiped out by a nuclear explosion. | The use of helmet-mounted cameras by the Marines provides a video feed that extends the perception of characters and audience into the colony’s investigation, creating a direct, immersive experience. |
The Abyss (1989) | A Navy SEAL attempts to use a nuclear device to wipe out the NTIs, introducing a threat of mass extinction. In turn, the NTIs use their water technology to present the specter of extinction over the human population, showcasing the precarious balance of power and survival. | The deployment of mini-submersibles with camera mounts provides a video feed that allows characters (and the audience) to extend their perception into deep underwater crevices, exploring unknown territories. |
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) | The continued threat of Skynet's nuclear war and the extermination of humanity. | The T-800's POV, shown as a video feed, illustrates the extension of Skynet’s perception across time, merging human and machine capabilities. |
True Lies (1994) | The use and detonation of nuclear weapons in Key West underscore the ever-present threat of mass extinction through nuclear war. | The use of a cigarette case with a hidden camera, providing a video feed, allows Harry to extend his perception, offering a different POV on the terrorists. |
Titanic (1997) | The disaster serves as a microcosm for human tragedy and loss, touching upon themes of existential threat. | The film extends perception through both the abyss-like submersibles with cameras, offering a video feed glimpse into the past, and old Rose’s storytelling, bridging a gap of 84 years to the present-day characters. |
Avatar (2009) | The threat to the Na'vi and Pandora's ecosystem reflects themes of ecological destruction and potential mass extinction. | The use of Avatar bodies to explore and interact with Pandora extends human perception and experience into that of another species. |