Science fiction has long been considered by some experts to be a
lesser genre than traditional dramas and character studies.
Because it lends itself so easily to exploitation, science
fiction isn’t always given the respect it deserves. Sure, it
tends to be a box office winner, as evidenced by the fact that
more than half of the all-time domestic grossing films fit
easily in that genre (with at least two more – Pirates of the
Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Shrek 2 – marginally related as
genre films). Still, some still consider science fiction
something not to be taken seriously.  It is for this reason that
“legitimate” film directors might shy away from science fiction
in lieu of more important or significant projects. However, many
directors got their start or their earliest fame from working in
science fiction and other allegedly exploitative and pulp
genres. This week’s release of Prometheus reminds us that even
though Ridley Scott has directed historical epics (Gladiator and
Kingdom of Heaven), military