Editorial Staff
Whether you’re in outer space or on a spy mission, you’ll need some futuristic-but-still-believable gadgets to help you out. Gone are the days of tacky lasers and hidden wires, Hollywood has stepped up its game big-time over the years to bring us the best tech that our imaginations can handle. To celebrate the release of Star Trek Beyond on July 21, we have curated the most futuristic and Coolest Gadgets in film history.
Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek is famous for its futuristic gadgets, responsible for predicting the flip phone, tablets, blue tooth headsets and GPS. The coolest tech however, is the transporter. This teleportation device dematerialises people to “beam” them to their destination within seconds… Hence the infamous “Beam me up, Scotty!” line was born. You can catch the new Star Trek Beyond as it flies at warp speed into cinemas from July 21.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)
The Mission: Impossible series is infamous for its high-tech gadgets that allow the IMF team to stay undercover and, you know, do spy stuff like scale the tallest building in the world. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is the fourth instalment in the series and has some kickass gadgets: like the sticky gloves that allow Cruise to climb the Burj Khalifa; the intelligent contact lenses that had built-in facial recognition software, photo capture, and data transmission capability (being developed by Samsung as we speak); and the 3D printer that creates the latex masks used throughout the entire series.
GoldenEye (1995)
James Bond is the most charming spy of all time with a host of gadgets that just add to the swagger. But what’s a man without his watch? Pierce Brosnan in GoldenEye used a watch that shot lasers, that’s right – actual lasers, to cut through the bottom of a train compartment. He would no doubt have used this tech to cut through women’s underwear as well, oh James.
Inspector Gadget (1999)
While Inspector Gadget may not be the savviest spy in the biz, he sure does know how to travel in style. From the street to the sky, Gadget has every child’s dream tool: the Copter Hat. A helicopter that fits inside your hat and comes with handle bars for safety and steering? We think yes.
Iron Man (2008 – 2013)
Getting the latest tech must be easy when you’re a multibillionaire like Tony Stark. His computing system and personal assistant J.A.R.V.I.S are particularly amazing, as the interface is 3D and can be moved by Stark’s hands. I mean, the Iron Man suits are pretty cool too…
You Only Live Twice (1967)
There’s no easy way to keep James Bond in a tight spot, so in true spy fashion Bond has some of the coolest gadgets around for more stickier situations. In You Only Live Twice, Bond escapes death with his last wish of smoking a cigarette. The gadget itself is in the cigarette – a baby rocket which fires at enemies!
Her (2013)
Set in the not-so-distant future, Her brings Siri and Google Glass to the next level. The tech in this film weaves into the characters’ lives seamlessly, is voice activated and artificially intelligent. Is it creepy? You decide.
Spy Kids (2001)
Spy Kids, because spies aren’t just adults. Generation Y’s first introduction to the concept of spies was in 2001 when Spy Kids was released and their eyes were opened to a whole new world of job opportunity. The best gadget in the series was the Electroshock Gumballs which was, when chewed, more powerful than a taser against enemies.
Men in Black (1997)
The coolest gadget from the Men in Black series is the Neuralyzer which allows you to erase the memories of those who know too much information. Why kill someone when you can just wipe their mind? We would use it to forget most of the happenings in the Game of Thrones series, just saying, that stuff can’t be unseen.
Elysium (2013)
When all of the richest people in the world move to outer space, what are you to do but wear a mechanical exoskeleton to protect yourself? Matt Damon fights on the poverty-stricken planet Earth with the coolest gadget available, it makes him faster, stronger and look way cooler.
