Where would Sci-Fi be without lasers? In the future, they seem to do everything.

There’s something about seeing a laser zip across the big screen that makes it almost impossible to look away. They are the ultimate weapon, the coolest defence and make up what is possibly the most exciting bread toasting solution you will ever see.

Here are 11 of the best scenes…

Star wars II – Attack of the Clones battle of Geonosis

When you think of lasers, Star Wars is the first film that comes to mind. Lightsabers, blasters, laser cannons, proton torpedoes… The imagination of this universe might have been limited to using lasers as weapons, but what do you expect with a title like that?

Star Trek into Darkness

Phasers set to stun? Not so much when you are Khan, revenge-obsessed superbeing. Though, admittedly he does manage to rescue Kirk, Spock and Uhura which is rather convenient for them to make their arrest.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

It may be a new generation, but the Star Wars kids are still predominately using lasers to cause chaos. This time, General Hux uses light from the stars to power his super laser spaceship/ planet Starkiller Base. Once it’s charged he uses the laser to destroy several planets at once. Please do not try this at home.

Goldfinger

Speaking of villains, who else but Goldfinger would sacrifice a gold table to a laser to slowly but surely cut James Bond in half? It’s this kind of flamboyance that ensures 007 has enough time to talk his way out of the situation and makes a sticky mess for Goldfinger in the end.

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

The best evil plan involving lasers that never happened? Dr Evil’s 60s mind reaches straight for the latest invention – the laser – to formulate a new evil plot to hold the world ransom. Unfortunately for him, it is quickly pointed out to him that there is a certain, err, hole in his plan.

Iron Man 2

It’s not just the bad guys who make use of lasers. When you’re Iron Man, it’s always good to have a few tricks up your sleeve for when things get rough. Especially when you’re stood in a river and surrounded by Kill Bots.

Toy Story 2 Game

Like Iron Man, Buzz Lightyear has a trick up his sleeve too and when he finds himself surrounded by drones in front of Zurg’s fortress (or is it Jabba the Hutt’s Palace?) he knows just what to do. And there’s a pretty handy crystal to help him out too…

Avengers: Age of Ultron

It’s not just Iron Man who has laser power, in this film Vision is born with an infinity stone that conveniently works as a laser too. In this scene he takes down Ultron with his inbuilt laser, with a little help from Iron Man and Thor.

St Trinians

Destroying planets, destroying drones, evil plans… what if you just want to protect Girl With a Pearl Earring from a bunch of school girls? You’d think it would work, but then again the St Trinians lot are no ordinary girls…

Ocean’s 12

The girls do a great job but the Night Fox faces a tougher challenge in Oceans 12. To steal the prized Fabergé Imperial Coronation Egg, he dances and flips his way across the hall of moving lasers making theft look like a rather stylish pastime.

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Just in case you were starting to worry that the only thing lasers are ever used for is advanced weapons or evil plans, The Hitchhiker’s Guide has a refreshing use for lasers. It might look a lot like a mini lightsaber but this laser tech is actually the best method for making toast I’ve ever seen.

 

While films are focussing on the more exciting and visual aspects of lasers, we are making steady progress in harnessing their properties. We are coming close to the Star Trek universe with our on-going progress and are even finding ways of using lasers to treat cancer, something Hollywood doesn’t seem to have thought of yet.

So not just useful for cutting all sorts of materials, the laser is being rapidly advanced. It might even be used to provide internet connection soon. With all our own progress we think Hollywood will be looking to science for their inspiration soon, rather than the other way around!