Top 5: Sci-Fi Vehicles

Well, fellow Misfits, by now you've had a chance to go out and see Death Race, the remake of 1975's Death Race 2000. While not exactly a space oddity, the original boasted some quality action and vehicular mayhem. The remake takes these elements and adds one important thing the original did not: Joan Allen. I think you'll agree that makes all the difference.

Course, you didn't go see Death Race for Joan Allen. And if that movie is in your near future plans, chances are she's not the primary reason atop your list. I'd wager your number one reason for see the movie lies in the over-the-top vehicles featured inside this little slice of B-movie mania. And that's not a bad thing. Not every movie can be a Merchant Ivory production. Sometimes you have to substitute stately manners for cars with bazookas attached to the front bumper. Some might argue that's even better than sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads.

In that spirit, we've tried to think of the five best sci-fi vehicles of all time. We excluded all things organic, so sorry, Taun-tauns and mumakil, you're out. Don't eat me, please. We didn't necessarily go for the sleekest numbers out there, but rather iconic vehicles that serve their particular world, are widely recognized by both hard-core and casual fans, and have stood the test of time as the best darn vehicles the geektastic universe has ever seen.

#5) The Nautilus (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea): A submarine so cool that Alan Moore used it in his League of Extraordinary Gentlemen series. If that doesn't give it geek cred, I don't know what could. A mixture of scientific fact mixed with scientific wish-fulfillment, it stands as a testament not only to the power of narrative invention but visionary foresight well.

#4) Doc Brown's DeLorean (Back to the Future): Future generations are going to use this vehicle as a singular way of capturing the 1980's. If Doc Brown had merely tricked out a Nissan Sentra, these films may not be as iconic. Luckily, Doc went with some style, and the resulting vehicle left one anxious to pop up the doors and rev that baby up to 88.

#3) The Batmobile (Batman): I'm not here to tell you which iteration of the Batmobile is the superior version. I'm sure you will clue me in below, fair readers. But I am here to tell you that I'd gladly take any version and put it into my garage. You know, if I had a garage. Should probably work on obtaining that first, Batmobile second. Otherwise, it might look weird in front of my apartment.

#2) The U.S.S. Enterprise (Star Trek): Confession. I'm not the biggest Star Trek fan. Just not. Which should make this placement all the more meaningful to you Trekkies out there. When people think of Star Trek, they think of the Enterprise. It's the first thing that pops into mind for the majority of fans, from casual to downright terrifying levels of Trek fandom. Heck, its iconography is so great that J.J. Abrams' teaser trailer for his upcoming movie consists of nothing else but the building of this ship.

#1) The Millennium Falcon (Star Wars): She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, Misfits. It's a jalopy masquerading as a spaceship, an ode to the vehicle that may not always get you where you want to go but will steal your heart all the same. It's a piece of junk, but it's YOUR piece of junk, and no one gets to make fun of it except for you. In contrast to the other vehicles on this list, the Falcon feels like something you could in fact own. The others oppress with an overabundance of technology, whereas the Falcon gives off that aura of familiarity to anyone that's ever owned a lemon that they loved.

So there you have it: our Top Five Vehicles of all time. Course, that's hardly the be all and end all to that discussion: now it's your turn to weigh in. What did we get right? What did we omit? What would your list look like?

Ryan suggest you also drive over to Boob Tube Dude.

Comments

Gotto find a place for Serenity.

Rishi | Aug 24, 2008 8:25:42 PM | #

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Rishi- I Love "Firefly" as much as anyone else, but Serenity can't be on this list. Only those who have seen the show or movie know about this ship, others do not. Whereas everything else on the list, most people can pick out of a lineup regardless of if they have seen the source material.

I have none of my own to add at the moment. Let it stew awhile and I may be back.

Blue Sean | Aug 25, 2008 6:56:37 AM | #

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er .. TARDIS?

Rob | Aug 25, 2008 8:45:43 AM | #

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yes, Tardis!

Mitch | Aug 25, 2008 9:00:57 AM | #

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It may not exactly count but I must give a shout-out to Ripley's exosuit. Because yes.

And yes, the Tardis though, sadly, I may have to put it in the Serenity column in not being as universally known as the others.

Also, I'd say the Death Star. Few vehicles also have the cred of being a giant, moving ball of...well...death.

Tamara B. | Aug 25, 2008 9:20:09 AM | #

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The TARDIS is definately missing off this list. While I love Star Trek and Star Wars, there are other vehicles in those series that people easily identify the series with. Name ONE other method of transport in Doctor Who besides the TARDIS. Go ahead...I dare ya. Not to mention the longevity factor involved :)

Patrick B | Aug 25, 2008 11:24:15 AM | #

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Re: Patrick B
Well, being a hopeless Who fanatic I'd immediately say Bessie, but it doesn't really compare to the Batmobile! ;)

Another vote for the TARDIS. And anyone who thinks it wasn't influential hasn't seen the Bill & Ted movies!

I also have a soft spot for the Dark Star ...

Alex | Aug 25, 2008 12:43:14 PM | #

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I'm not sure which of the vehicles I'd pull off but Discovery One from 2001: A Space Odyssey is a pretty iconic vehicle that a lot of people recognize. Plus it's run by HAL!

Erick | Aug 26, 2008 6:50:12 AM | #

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How about the "Battlestar Galactica"

Deke | Aug 26, 2008 3:09:30 PM | #

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I'm not sure about the Nautilus. I saw the movie but don't remember it. Did it look different from other submarines?

After reading Patrick B, I have to formally enter the Bill and Ted Phone Booth as a suggestion. Sure, I guess it's a bastardization of the Tardis. But, I had to google the Tardis to figure out what it was and what it looked like.

Jeff | Aug 27, 2008 2:23:52 PM | #

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As great as the Tardis is, it said "We excluded all things organic" and the Tardis is alive.

Rebekah | Aug 30, 2008 2:07:02 PM | #

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The SPACE CHARIOT from LOST IN SPACE a real ATV THE FLYING SUB FROM VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA that was awsome shuttlecraft GALILEO from STAR TREK

FLU-BIRD | Nov 4, 2008 5:56:17 AM | #

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