I've always been more into Sci-Fi stuff that has a good story revolving around an interesting idea. I'm not as big on great characterization (not that I'm opposed to it) as most since I believe ones actions in a story tell more about a character than anything else. My recent books that I liked have been Ringworld, Foundation, and Ender's Game. Its been a while since I read it, but a Brave New World was great. As far as movies go, I liked the Matrix and Stargate. Fifth Element, 12 monkeys were good entertaining movies, but didn't have the interesting idea that elevates Stargate and the Matrix. 2001 had a great idea, but was overdirected, in my opinion, with fancy shots that hurt the entertainment value. I think I would have enjoyed the book much more. Its tough to beat Aliens for pure entertainment value. I usually don't compare Star Wars with other Sci Fis because even though it is one, it shares more similarities with Fantasy. Its the tomato of Sci Fi.
I'm a pretty big Sci-Fi reader/watcher, so here is my list of things that make a good Sci-Fi book/movie: 1) Plot twist Nearly all the good Sci-Fi works have had a big plot twist that makes you go 'wow....I never saw that one coming". Think Planet of the Apes (Original), Matrix, and 5th Element. This plot twist normally sets up for an exciting and unpredictable ending. 2) Identifiable characters Some of the best characters are the ones which we can identify with. There is no use in having, for example, a hero that no one can relate to. It's usually the 'ordinary, every day guy' that becomes the hero. 3) WOW factor When I see a Sci-Fi movie I want to walk out of the cinema saying "WOW." It has to make me want to see it again, and again, and again. There have been heaps of good Sci-Fi films over the years, but very often do you ever see one which has the WOW Factor. I'm not talking about mind-blowing special effects, I'm talking about great dialogue, acting, and the basic ideas which the film or book is trying to get across. Yeah, Star Wars is a fantasy/"space opera". Star Trek is Sci-Fi.
Star Wars has the Force. The Force = Magic. Magic is automatically in the realm of fantasy. Star Trek even pushes the boundary between Sci-Fi and fantasy with the inclusion of telepaths. I don't remember any plot twists in the matrix. I have to agree with Aliens as the best Sci-fi movie, and would put forth Predator as a good runner up. In literature, I like the BattleTech series. I think the way they made the manufacture of 'Mechs a lost art so that it made them more special was really cool.
