In Search of Tomorrow

Associate backer here. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire documentary. Structure wise, it's edited well, music is great, interviews and stories are fun.

Content was great for me as well, even though I pretty much already knew every single thing they showed or mentioned and could probably recite nearly every scene that they featured.

My only gripe was it being a bit too heavy on the global warming preaching. It doesn't fit for the genre of that time in the first place, as the social commentary of sci-fi in the 70's and 80's was about nuclear war, population issues, etc. And even if it had been on point, we just don't need preaching in a nostalgia documentary. Mentioning it once or twice, sure, but it was far too recurring in the whole show and detracted from the overall enjoyment, even brought you out of the immersion a bit. Seriously, we get enough of "climate change" and "evil corporations" stuff in every single second of life today in all forms of media, we don't need it in this as well.

Other than that gripe, which is a small one, this is the movie to watch for some real sci-fi nostalgia.

While it's not possible to re-watch your favorite sci-fi movies from your childhood for the first time, this is as close as you can get to doing that.

I can't imagine a better documentary about 80s science fiction movies than In Search of Tomorrow. Superb interviews, top-notch production and use of film footage. The producers were able to get interviews with lots of key people involved in making these films as well as top-notch commentators. They were not the top figures, such as George Lucas or James Cameron, but still included many big stars such as Billy Dee Williams and many lesser known figures who nonetheless had A-level insights. I was very happy to see interviews with people such as Nicholas Meyer, Peter Hyams, Joe Dante, Kerry O'Quinn, Peter Weller and Alex North. I gained a lot of appreciation for them and all of the films that were featured. I learned a lot and enthusiastically recommend it to anyone who loves 80s science fiction. I was a backer of the film on Indiegogo and am extremely happy with the results.

Is it perfect? No, but it comes pretty damned close. At five hours you could easily binge this if it was on your favorite streaming service. Own this, there is still time at the writing of this review, and you can take your time, savor it and watch an hour a day for a week. Fair warning though, if you do break up your watching, you will definitely find yourself wanting them to spend more time on your favorite movies! There are only a handful of movies touched on that I hadn't heard of or have avoided for one reason or another, and now I have some motivation to hunt those down. I also really enjoy how they connect many of the films to the events of their day, and how and why some of the films resonate more so today, how prescient so many of them were. In many ways those were simpler times, in others more difficult or close-minded, but fortunately for us, there were some hopeful storytellers, and much of what they created inspired so many of the people making our lives better today and for years to come.

Less than 5 minutes in and a young hipster-looking guy says "a lot of these films are warning about global warming,.." as if climate change was a thing in the 70's and before. It wasn't. 'Limits To Growth', one of the classic books of the environmental movement in the 70's, has not one mention of global warming or climate change or anything resembling it. Back then it was all about overpopulation, pollution of the seas and running out of resources. Global warming or climate change hadn't been invented and popularized yet. I'm not sure the thoughts of the said interviewees warrant the running time, but maybe nostalgia is enough to entertain you.

This is more of a Thank-you letter than strictly a review. I was always intrigued by the concept of this feature, but to finally see this masterpiece, I was amazed by the magic they so brilliantly brought back for me and my sons.

The irony is not just hearing from those individuals who discuss their role in film history but them actually discuss the films that changed them as well. It is 5 hours but like the best features, it goes by so fast and believe me you'll want a lot more! There are many highlights, I was touched hearing Ivan Reitman speak so kindly of his role, productions and his love for his favourite composer.

I'm sure everyone will have their faves, but it a wide range of reviewed titles from iconic to cult.

I look forward to watching it again and again to see which detail I may have missed.

It's a fantastic investment, and it bonus gift is reawakening the passion for this decade of these films will do to the viewer. (My sons and I have at least two watchlists).

The quality of the behind the scenes, trailers and film stock is second to none, absolutely amazing care and craft went into this production.