Sometime in the future, if humans can truly explore and populate outer space, what would we find? Are there Alien creatures living on planets we have yet to discover? Would they communicate with us? Would they be friendly or would they try to destroy us? Forty - five years ago one version of this scenario played out in movie theaters when, in 1979, Ridley Scott's film Alien premiered. The movie starred Sigourney Weaver (Avatar) as warrant Officer Ellen Ripley and spawned six sequels, the latest of which, Alien: Romulus, hits theaters this week. Directed by Fede Alvarez (Evil Dead), this installment brings the franchise back to the beginning.
Rain (Cailee Spaeny; Priscilla) dreams of leaving the dark plant she calls home and finally has enough hours to do so, or so she thinks. When she finds out otherwise, she meets up with friends who tell her they have found a derelict spacecraft with five life pods. They plan to get the life pods and hibernate for nine years as they travel to a new home. While Rain isn't essential in their plan to retrieve the pods, her artificial human brother, Andy (David Jonsson; Industry) is. Once on board, the group realizes it is more than just an abandoned ship and they suddenly find themselves fighting for their lives.
While previous films in the franchise boast mostly if not completely adult casts, this one is made up of younger, yet established, actors. Spaeny, who is Hollywood's latest, hot, young, "it" girl, once again shines as she picks up Ripley's mantel to battle the Aliens. She is joined by fellow "it" girl Isabela Merced (Transformers: The Last Knight), Jonsson, Archie Renaux (Morbius), Spike Fearn (Aftersun), and newcomer Aileen Wu. Together they make a formidable team, well cast to take over the reins from the lost crew members of Nostromo and it is easy to see why Alvarez chose them.
Alvarez, who also co-wrote the movie, does an excellent job of keeping tensions high and the quick pace moving throughout the film. His camera angles make one feel as if they are onboard the ship and, especially in the beginning, it is easy to become slightly dizzy. While the effect may seem like a drawback, it actually is an asset putting the audience in the center of the space station. The dialogue is also fresh matching the action in excitement.
One of the pluses of this version is the practical effects that were created instead of taking the "easy" route and adding them in post-production. As the alien bursts from someone's chest (of course that shot HAD to be in this sequel), it looks authentic which is a testament to Alvarez's and his crew's commitment to excellent filmmaking. There are only a few times the film falls short but the movie is so strong that fans should be willing to forgive the famed director. Alvarez knows how to build tension and intensity and he does it beautifully in Alien: Romulus.
Sir Ridley Scott (Blade Runner) certainly isn't going to turn his beloved franchise over to just anyone or sing the praises of the movie if he doesn't believe it, so it meant quite a bit to Alvarez when Scott did just that after hearing his idea and seeing the movie. Alvarez restores the series to its former glory, returning to the original feel of the first film. While there are a few things that could have been left out - people in a "cocoon" state that look fake or the giant female genitalia hanging on the wall - the movie is a wild ride that will have your blood pumping from beginning to end.
Grade: A-
