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(Listverse)   The ten best space battles in sci-fi history. The tag is for not having any mention of Babylon 5   (listverse.com) divider line
189
    More: Fail, Star Wars, Earth, Yavin, Atmosphere, Weapon, Worf, Star Wars (film), Film  
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2594 clicks; posted to Fandom » on 04 Feb 2023 at 10:02 AM (7 weeks ago)   |   Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook



189 Comments     (+0 »)
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bostonguy [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 6:16:07 AM  
Babylon 5 trifecta in play.
 
Tr0mBoNe [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 6:45:03 AM  
The First Ones are having none of this
 
BizarreMan [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 7:58:12 AM  
Strange, I was expecting more than just tv or movie battles when it was space battles of all time.
 
Pocket Ninja [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2023-02-04 8:19:01 AM  
I'm just surprised they included anything from The Expanse.

And Ender's Game was utter garbage from start to finish. Absolute trash.
 
DammitIForgotMyLogin [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2023-02-04 8:28:33 AM  
If you value your lives, be somewhere else.
 
jaylectricity [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 8:39:57 AM  

bostonguy: Babylon 5 trifecta in play.


Yeah... interesting timing

Fark user imageView Full Size
 
Man On A Mission [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 9:56:04 AM  

jaylectricity: bostonguy: Babylon 5 trifecta in play.

Yeah... interesting timing

[Fark user image 425x316]


"You said Babylon 5 twice."

"I really like Babylon 5."
 
Unsung_Hero
2023-02-04 10:19:45 AM  
Space battles are inherently unsatisfying, as the more 'realistic' they are the less entertaining they become.  You're really limited to crew reaction shots, because the actual stuff between ships would be happening on scales that made the weapons and ships invisible to the human eye.   If it's not "WWII in space", it generally doesn't look very good on screen.

I think Expanse did a damn good job, though.
 
madgonad [OhFark]
2023-02-04 10:23:36 AM  

Unsung_Hero: Space battles are inherently unsatisfying, as the more 'realistic' they are the less entertaining they become.  You're really limited to crew reaction shots, because the actual stuff between ships would be happening on scales that made the weapons and ships invisible to the human eye.   If it's not "WWII in space", it generally doesn't look very good on screen.

I think Expanse did a damn good job, though.


Expanse and B5 do the physics right. Their space battles still rock.
 
Unsung_Hero
2023-02-04 10:27:57 AM  

madgonad: Expanse and B5 do the physics right. Their space battles still rock.


The problem with B5 (other than the bad CGI) is it's still face-to-face dogfights.  Yes, watching the realistic physics (especially the Starfury fighters who routinely altered orientation without altering velocity) was awesome, but dogfights just aren't going to happen in space.

Lasers and missiles (and maybe occasionally mines) are going to be it, because you'll never be able to lead a target with dumb sublight kinetics by the time you are worried about light speed delay.  The smallest velocity change means missing by kilometers.
 
scottydoesntknow [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 10:28:22 AM  
The battle in season three of the Orville was pretty bad ass. They fracture a whole planet.
 
west.la.lawyer [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 10:32:12 AM  
Fark user imageView Full Size
 
MythDragon
2023-02-04 10:36:43 AM  
Rocinante vs Zmeya The Expanse 5x7
Youtube n67rhlSnKIQ
 
Ivo Shandor [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2023-02-04 10:38:34 AM  

scottydoesntknow: The battle in season three of the Orville was pretty bad ass. They fracture a whole planet.


Ooh, a whole planet?
media.tenor.comView Full Size
 
Dhusk
2023-02-04 10:44:22 AM  
The ten best space battles in sci-fi history*

*That aren't anime.

But if anime were included, it would dominate most of the list, I suppose.  The Battle Of Pluto from Space Battleship Yamato 2011 would be my #1 pick, and sure as heck would be much better than their trash #1 pick.
 
houstondragon
2023-02-04 10:53:50 AM  

Pocket Ninja: I'm just surprised they included anything from The Expanse.

And Ender's Game was utter garbage from start to finish. Absolute trash.


This.

The film was an absolutely terrible adaptation from the book battles. The B5 Battle of Earth was far superior
 
bostonguy [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 10:56:38 AM  

jaylectricity: Yeah... interesting timing


Man On A Mission:

"You said Babylon 5 twice."

"I really like Babylon 5."

OK, I'll out myself as subby for both. I want a damn B5 trifecta!
 
bostonguy [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 10:57:48 AM  

Ivo Shandor: scottydoesntknow: The battle in season three of the Orville was pretty bad ass. They fracture a whole planet.


And they thankfully killed off [SPOILER]!
 
bav
2023-02-04 11:07:10 AM  

bostonguy: jaylectricity: Yeah... interesting timing

Man On A Mission:

"You said Babylon 5 twice."

"I really like Babylon 5."

OK, I'll out myself as subby for both. I want a damn B5 trifecta!


Careful what you wish for.  There's not that many cast members left.
 
dennysgod
2023-02-04 11:17:10 AM  

west.la.lawyer: [Fark user image 500x368] [View Full Size image _x_]



Hardware Wars?

Fark user imageView Full Size
 
SirDigbyChickenCaesar
2023-02-04 11:17:58 AM  
No Chiggy Von Richthofen?  lame
 
UNC_Samurai
2023-02-04 11:18:26 AM  

Unsung_Hero: Space battles are inherently unsatisfying, as the more 'realistic' they are the less entertaining they become.  You're really limited to crew reaction shots, because the actual stuff between ships would be happening on scales that made the weapons and ships invisible to the human eye.   If it's not "WWII in space", it generally doesn't look very good on screen.

I think Expanse did a damn good job, though.


That's not necessarily true.  We have yet to see what Honor Harrington looks like on screen, so "Napoleonic ship-of-the-line in space" could also be entertaining.

/Also Jutland in space, or maybe even Peloponnesian War in space, because of all the boarding actions.
 
Flappyhead
2023-02-04 11:22:46 AM  

madgonad: Unsung_Hero: Space battles are inherently unsatisfying, as the more 'realistic' they are the less entertaining they become.  You're really limited to crew reaction shots, because the actual stuff between ships would be happening on scales that made the weapons and ships invisible to the human eye.   If it's not "WWII in space", it generally doesn't look very good on screen.

I think Expanse did a damn good job, though.

Expanse and B5 do the physics right. Their space battles still rock.


Watching ship wreckage impacting the battle never gets old.
 
west.la.lawyer [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 11:25:26 AM  

dennysgod: west.la.lawyer: [Fark user image 500x368] [View Full Size image _x_]


Hardware Wars?

[Fark user image 449x351]


the Z channel shaped so much of what I consumed and my present tastes
 
mamoru [OhFark]
2023-02-04 11:31:31 AM  

Pocket Ninja: I'm just surprised they included anything from The Expanse.


A welcome and deserved surprise, I think. Though they chose the wrong one, IMHO. The best space battle in The Expanse TV series is in Season 5 episode 10 when Drummer's small fleet mutinies against the Free Navy.  It's a small battle, but it is remarkably consistent and well done.

Sadly, I can't find a clip of just the battle itself, but this video breaks it down and explains exactly what's happening and the cool details they put in.

The Expanse: The Best Space Battle Ever? (Detailed Breakdown)
Youtube h1AEHK8oQeA
 
CakeandBeer
2023-02-04 11:46:56 AM  
I see I'm not the only one that was expecting more than just film/tv. Eric Nylund has written some amazing space battles. Despite The Fall of Reach being a Halo tie-in novel, the space battles were very well written and the main battle of reach was quite enjoyable.

/this list needs to shuffle up and deal some Wild Cards
//at least they know the battle of Scarif is the best from Star Wars
 
mongbiohazard
2023-02-04 11:56:12 AM  

scottydoesntknow: The battle in season three of the Orville was pretty bad ass. They fracture a whole planet.


Season 3 in general was amazing. Some of the best, most smartly written scifi I've ever seen.

As far as realism goes, it's often TNG-ish "what the plot requires" kinda vibe, but damn if it isn't incredibly thoughtful, thought-out, and great.

Season 3 of the Orville really should get attention from anyone who's a fan of scifi.

(And thank Sagan ____ dies in the end. The writers knew what they were doing. lol)
 
bostonguy [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 11:58:00 AM  

mongbiohazard: Season 3 of the Orville really should get attention from anyone who's a fan of scifi.


Exactly. I don't know what Seth McFarland did during the pandemic between seasons 2 and 3, but he should do it again.
 
mjbok
2023-02-04 11:58:53 AM  
The space battle in Jedi is better than the one on ANH. They mention the battle in the Mutara Nebula, but the picture is from a different battle
 
Rent Party
2023-02-04 12:00:16 PM  
That was a pretty good list.  Enders Game is laughable, though.  That movie was garbage, as was the source material.

Battlestar Galactica had awesome space battles, though.  Enough realistic physics to keep it compelling, and enough pew-pew to keep it exciting.
 
Stile4aly [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2023-02-04 12:06:41 PM  
For those who care to look up B5 space battles, I'd recommend Severed Dreams, Shadow Dancing, Into the Fire, No Surrender No Retreat, Endgame, and In the Beginning.  There are plenty of others as well.
 
mongbiohazard
2023-02-04 12:12:06 PM  

bostonguy: mongbiohazard: Season 3 of the Orville really should get attention from anyone who's a fan of scifi.

Exactly. I don't know what Seth McFarland did during the pandemic between seasons 2 and 3, but he should do it again.


I don't think it's going to get a season 4, but damn it sure farking should.
 
darkmayo
2023-02-04 12:32:49 PM  
I would have picked the Rebel fleet vs the death star in Return of the Jedi over the first death star battle/trench run in A New Hope

but I love me some A-wings and B-wings so I might be biased
 
bostonguy [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 12:38:11 PM  
Also, obligatory.

Fark user imageView Full Size
 
Johnny the Tackling Alzheimers Patient
2023-02-04 12:39:54 PM  

UNC_Samurai: Unsung_Hero: Space battles are inherently unsatisfying, as the more 'realistic' they are the less entertaining they become.  You're really limited to crew reaction shots, because the actual stuff between ships would be happening on scales that made the weapons and ships invisible to the human eye.   If it's not "WWII in space", it generally doesn't look very good on screen.

I think Expanse did a damn good job, though.

That's not necessarily true.  We have yet to see what Honor Harrington looks like on screen, so "Napoleonic ship-of-the-line in space" could also be entertaining.

/Also Jutland in space, or maybe even Peloponnesian War in space, because of all the boarding actions.


The Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell has potential for the fleet battles, but they might be too many ships and captains to make it filmible.
 
Any Pie Left
2023-02-04 12:41:10 PM  
No
Love for Macross or Gundam? Missile spam and dogfighting transforming mechas?
 
paulleah
2023-02-04 12:48:14 PM  

Pocket Ninja: I'm just surprised they included anything from The Expanse.

And Ender's Game was utter garbage from start to finish. Absolute trash.


I didn't read the book and didn't boycott or trash the movie based on the authors political opinions.  I watched it cold, knowing nothing about it.

It was a good movie. I really enjoyed it.
 
ZMugg [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 12:53:50 PM  

bostonguy: Also, obligatory.

[Fark user image 750x1500]


They still haven't fixed the typo.

Claire Dames is a porn actress
 
NathanAllen
2023-02-04 12:57:31 PM  

mamoru: Pocket Ninja: I'm just surprised they included anything from The Expanse.

A welcome and deserved surprise, I think. Though they chose the wrong one, IMHO. The best space battle in The Expanse TV series is in Season 5 episode 10 when Drummer's small fleet mutinies against the Free Navy.  It's a small battle, but it is remarkably consistent and well done.

Sadly, I can't find a clip of just the battle itself, but this video breaks it down and explains exactly what's happening and the cool details they put in.

[YouTube video: The Expanse: The Best Space Battle Ever? (Detailed Breakdown)]


Agreed with that being the best space battle in the filmed series. I absolutely believe consolidating Bull, Pa, and Drummer's stories into one character was the best decision they made.

Sadly we didn't get Bobbi versus the Tempest.
 
bostonguy [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 12:57:31 PM  

paulleah: I didn't read the book and didn't boycott or trash the movie based on the authors political opinions


Once more, for the people who don't get it.

Orson Scott Card is homophobic and racist. Homophobia and racism are not legitimate "political opinions." They are not even political opinions. Whether to raise or lower taxes is a "political opinion."

Homophobia and racism are qualities of an immoral, garbage human being.
 
paulleah
2023-02-04 12:58:42 PM  

bostonguy: paulleah: I didn't read the book and didn't boycott or trash the movie based on the authors political opinions

Once more, for the people who don't get it.

Orson Scott Card is homophobic and racist. Homophobia and racism are not legitimate "political opinions." They are not even political opinions. Whether to raise or lower taxes is a "political opinion."

Homophobia and racism are qualities of an immoral, garbage human being.


Ok.

But I watched the movie knowing nothing about the book or OSC and enjoyed it.

It was a good movie.
 
Unsung_Hero
2023-02-04 12:58:43 PM  

paulleah: Pocket Ninja: I'm just surprised they included anything from The Expanse.

And Ender's Game was utter garbage from start to finish. Absolute trash.

I didn't read the book and didn't boycott or trash the movie based on the authors political opinions.  I watched it cold, knowing nothing about it.

It was a good movie. I really enjoyed it.


The underlying message of not hesitating to do what is required to defeat an enemy for good is one that sells well.  I mean, it's just common sense.  This whole trope Hollywood's been selling for as long as I can remember of heroes not being willing to kill (even as it results in killers mowing down countless innocents and then getting away to do it again and again) is really stupid.

On the other hand, nude prepubescent boys killing each other in the shower.  That's a bit off.  And your genius protagonist who can get into the mindset of aliens nobody's ever met so he can learn to defeat them, yet can't figure out why the human adults around him are acting oddly and get to the twist ending before the reveal.

Anyway, first story good, the rest are far less than 'iconic'.
 
Kiler
2023-02-04 12:59:41 PM  

Rent Party: Battlestar Galactica had awesome space battles, though.  Enough realistic physics to keep it compelling, and enough pew-pew to keep it exciting.


I had a "Holy shiat did they just do that?!?!?!" Moment when Galactica jumped into the atmosphere of New Caprica, launched a bunch of Vipers, then GTFO.
 
Johnny the Tackling Alzheimers Patient
2023-02-04 12:59:46 PM  

ZMugg: bostonguy: Also, obligatory.

[Fark user image 750x1500]

They still haven't fixed the typo.

Claire Dames is a porn actress


Hey, she could surprise you - she might have range.
 
Herr Flick's Revenge
2023-02-04 1:00:49 PM  

ZMugg: bostonguy: Also, obligatory.

[Fark user image 750x1500]

They still haven't fixed the typo.

Claire Dames is a porn actress


How do you know it was a typo?
Maybe they put the wrong photo in.
 
paulleah
2023-02-04 1:05:36 PM  

bostonguy: paulleah: I didn't read the book and didn't boycott or trash the movie based on the authors political opinions

Once more, for the people who don't get it.

Orson Scott Card is homophobic and racist. Homophobia and racism are not legitimate "political opinions." They are not even political opinions. Whether to raise or lower taxes is a "political opinion."

Homophobia and racism are qualities of an immoral, garbage human being.


How society addresses race and sexual identity/orientation are absolutely political.

But regardless, your point of view requires one to research the artist before allowing oneself to appreciate the art.

An enlightened and I dare say, mature viewpoint is to separate the art from the artist. Horrible people are capable of truly beautiful things,

Or you can just burn Dixie Chicks albums like the other wingnuts.

Extremism is always bad.
 
bostonguy [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 1:11:51 PM  

paulleah: An enlightened and I dare say, mature viewpoint is to separate the art from the artist. Horrible people are capable of truly beautiful things,


I agree with you, for the most part.

I just hate when people refer to homophobia and racism as "political opinions." The Overton Window has moved so far to the right that it's become as acceptable to have those attitudes as it is to have an opinion on tax policy.
 
lilplatinum
2023-02-04 1:21:33 PM  
Yes when I think awesome space battle I think CGI that looks like it was done on a commodore 64
 
ZMugg [TotalFark]
2023-02-04 1:36:34 PM  

paulleah: bostonguy: paulleah: I didn't read the book and didn't boycott or trash the movie based on the authors political opinions

Once more, for the people who don't get it.

Orson Scott Card is homophobic and racist. Homophobia and racism are not legitimate "political opinions." They are not even political opinions. Whether to raise or lower taxes is a "political opinion."

Homophobia and racism are qualities of an immoral, garbage human being.

How society addresses race and sexual identity/orientation are absolutely political.

But regardless, your point of view requires one to research the artist before allowing oneself to appreciate the art.

An enlightened and I dare say, mature viewpoint is to separate the art from the artist. Horrible people are capable of truly beautiful things,

Or you can just burn Dixie Chicks albums like the other wingnuts.

Extremism is always bad.


The kicker (for me) in that whole kerfuffle was that George W Bush is from Connecticut not Texas.
 
floor
2023-02-04 1:37:10 PM  

dennysgod: west.la.lawyer: [Fark user image 500x368] [View Full Size image _x_]


Hardware Wars?

[Fark user image 449x351]


The great Ernie "Ford" Fosselius. Auteur behind  Pork Lips Now and Space Balls (sound editing)!
 
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