Comments (Page 26)

Apparently, the powers that be in the movies think that these folks want to experience a past they never had.

I think this is a major point we forget to overlook. I agree wholeheartedly with this assertion. I myself am only 31, but I too rolled my eyes at the "bitch" line and other callbacks that seemed too forced. I don't belong to the camp of my peers who wish to experience a past qe never had, I'm of the group eager to expand and explore uncharted territory the past originated. I'm not sure what the obsession is with rehashing existing tropes and capitalizing so heavily on nostalgia - there's good ways to do it and there's bad ways and I feel like the trend currently is to try and maximize more on that nostalgic "feeling" rather than giving audiences something NEW for future generations to look back on for their inspiration. We're stuck in a cyclical repeating of tried and true concepts that offer very little to no serious impact.

That being said Fede did expand the lore a bit by showing us an Alien birthing from its cocoon which I liked and showed the Aliens as more intelligent beings rather than Canon fodder bugs. I tip my hat to what was done right but it was a fairly even blending of eye roll inducing callbacks and engaging fan service.

The film is definitely a mixed bag. Repeat viewings might shift my perspective but as it stands, I place the film below Prometheus and Covenant, personally.

No matter how you slice it, the goo does whatever is necessary for the story. 

Elizabeth gives birth to an anime tentacle monster after having intercourse with Holloway who on the other hand started to decompose. 

Fifield somehow turned into the toxic avenger  after faceplanting into a pool of the goo, much more than the tiny amount Holloway received, yet the Engineers on Planet 4 (Covenant) died after being sprayed with the goo. Why didn't they mutate? The worms bathing in the goo turned into hammerpedes (snakes) considerably larger than their original form. 

Two colonists got goo spores into their bodies and gave birth to identical Neomorphs, while

***Romulus Spoilers***

Kay in Romulus gave birth to the happiest Engineer that ever lived.

*End of spoilers*

Nothing's consistent. It follows no logic other than being plot magic. 

Here is my short review here.  Some context. 

I am an older "Gen X" fan.  So I bring that perspective to the table, to a certain extent.  I went to an IMAX showing with two of my sons on Sunday. They are not particularly familiar with these movies, which actually helped increase their enjoyment of the movie.

I found myself realizing that I was possibly the oldest person in the theater. There seemed to be many 30 somethings in there, which is consistent with what I believe is the target demographic.  Apparently, the powers that be in the movies think that these folks want to experience a past they never had.  This constant looking back is problematic, I think.  There are many examples, e.g. The Force Awakens comes to mind.  Perhaps younger viewers desperately want that iconic movie experience that was far more common in the 70's and 80's?  But that has put these film makers in a catch 22.  They are afraid to try new things and are consequently slaves to the past. So does it deliver that "iconic experience"?  No, it misses the mark.  

So

The good:

1) Great direction, set design, cinematography, and visual effects (for the most part).  Fede has a gift for framing shots and he does provide some "spooky" moments here. If I am not mistaken some the "old timers" from older Alien movies were brought back to do visual effects and set design.  Anyhow, outstanding work here.

2) Its bloody and deserves the R rating. 

3) The movie moves along at a brisk pace, sometimes too brisk.  Still, enjoyable.

The average

1) The cast.  Sorry, they were just boring.  I liked David Johnson as Andy the android.  We have another "mini Ripley" in the lead (Reeboks and all).  Her, like the rest of the cast, gets the job the done, but not much more.  To be fair, the screenplay, does not do them any favors here.  The pedestrian dialogue simply works to keep things moving.

3) The bad

There are simply too many references and simple cutting and pasting from the previous movies.  This was to the point of being distracting (the corn bread, really?). If you are new this series, this is not a problem. That is, until you actually watch the other films. 

This phenomenon of constantly showing stuff from the past in so many films and TV shows, is very tiresome.  Back in the 70s and 80s we were looking to the future.  Lets try something different.  This is where I think Prometheus, for all of its problems, is a least different and quite good in many ways. 

When Andy says "the bitch line", people actually clapped.  I rolled my eyes.  

I am glad that the movie is doing well.  If it gets people interested in the Alien movies and sci fi, that's great.  I am looking forward to watching it again.

I hope that we get a sequel to Covenant and wrap that story line up.  Doubt it though.  

If Kay survived....would her future babies be offspring monsters?

Maybe Kay would have become a Queen. Mutating into some sort of Offspring birther. 

Did Andy and Rain destroy the Accelerant ? 

Where is BigDave?

Via Variety:

“The black goo is the root of the whole thing that was introduced in ‘Prometheus’,” Álvarez explains. “It’s the root of all life, but also particularly the xenomorphs come out of that thing, which means it has to be inside them. It’s the xenomorphs’ semen, almost. So we thought, if it affects your DNA, and the Engineers clearly came out of the same root of life, it made complete sense to me that [the offspring of a human and a xenomorph] was going to look like that.”

Exactly. The original film was about a havoc wreaking organism. Not Ripley. The story is where this thing came from. The concept of David 8 was delivering on this mystery. 

Damn, Alien Romulus outbeated Wolverine vs Deadpool

What about Ripley and her journey before David 8?

I'm holding my excitement, Hawley's comments on the series doesn't fill me with confidence that this is going to be a good series.

1. Heavy focus on Metahumans

2. Aliens on Earth prior to their official discovery, (deju of AVP 2004 and AVPR)

3. The rejection of Prometheus's lore

Well I think Shaw didn't suffer any mutations due to the black goo altered Holloway's sperm.

Also Holloway was undergoing a different transformation then Fifield. Holloway was disintegrating because he ingested the black goo, while Fifield inhaled the black goo.

Kay I believe was having a slower transformation due to being larger than the mouse and her fetus. We see that she was lactating a black goo-like substance instead of breast milk.

Good hypothesis though, I would like for the filmmakers to explore this further in a sequel.

I think we can all agree, without David 8... there is no story.

I loved the newborn, It felt like a humanoid baby......and we still don't know if it was fully formed, maybe after a month ( year?) it would look completely different.

Maybe an artist can use AI (or their imagination ) to show what the newborn would look like fully formed ( living in Ripley's basement....."Did you clean your room yet?", "Cripes no mom! leave me alone!")

But I'm also good with the Offspring. it's a Toss up for me.

I really liked Romulus, sure it is no ALIEN or ALIENS or even PROMETHEUS but I thought it was decent

The part were the scorched xenomorph saves Rain, I interpreted it as some of Navarro mind was retained in the xenomorph but then again the Scorched Xenomorph probably saved Rain so she could get impregnated by that lurking facehugger.

I liked the offspring alot more than the Newborn, the Newborn was just down right ugly even for a xenomorph

I really liked Romulus, just finished watching today and I felt this excited since Covenant. I love all the continuity nods, especially nods from the expanded universe made me smile.

Chris,

we agree 100%. While I was driving home from the movie theatre I could not help but miss the days of Prometheus and Covenant. While not perfect movies they are superior to the latest. Romulus is an empty shell meant to scare, excite and thrill. It did none of those for me. 

I hope it does well so the Alien franchise can live on. 

Lol I'll happily defend the newborn design! Who's with me??

* crickets*

Oh hell to the no

Prometheus definitely has a much bigger and ambitious perspective. I love its fresh storytelling and Shaw+David relationship. 

But I like Romulus better because it's a nice return to horror (so I especially love the first half). I agree the throwback is too much but it's also what I wanted. Also it feels like Romulus brings ALIEN + ALIENS to new life again, extending its legacy.

Overall I love all 7 Alien movies. Even Romulus has its flaws but I can see this is a film that I would re-watch many times.  

I also think the Romulus box office success would soon give the green light to the final Alien prequel, which this time can really focus on expanding the engineering/AI story. 

Well Prometheus tried something different. Kind of like that hyped Australian breakdancer Raygun, I'll give it that and leave it at that. 

I just wish I could erase all my trailers/tv spots memories before going to theatre. I think except the Rook scene, elevator, and the final act, pretty much all other moments have been revealed in the trailers. 

Other than that I am quite happy with the whole watching experience. I am going to watch again next week ;D

I will admit that shot was the best shot of the whole sequence, it was extremely creepy.

I love this shot

As one of the most self professed Prometheus lovers on this forum (lol) even I have to say the attempt at an Engineer / Xenomorph / Human hybrid abomination was a BAD move... Creepy, yes, but ultimately fell short. I loved the Black Goo callbacks and the soundbites from the original Prometheus soundtrack but yikes... that thing was Newborn level bad.

Finally saw it and... I have to say, I've got some reservations. I'm going to have to mull over my opinion and give it another watch before diving deeply into it. But I will say this - Prometheus did it better.

I saw this movie on day of realase. I like Alien serie and I must like this movie but isnot good, even not better than Covenant but i'm Covenant we had great actor Michael and two similar androids, depth. But this is like funs make low budget movie. Some of young friends stole Company ship without any problems - haha. After very fast od action and grow up Alien creature - too fast! But Ash brother robót make nie smile on face and connections with Prometheus with Black goo - I thing thath they recreate this from founded body of Xenonorph took from crash of Nostromo. On The end new creature borned is similar to Engineers - good idea but to fast this movie is. 6/10

The most frightening thing in the movie is Fede not allowing himself or his actors to develop their own unique slogan.

never seen Species before. The clip looks interesting lol. I am definitely going to watch it. 

yeah I agree GAME OVER would be a much more effective line with nice throwback  

It was ok, I just thought there were too many callbacks to other Alien movies and media. It was a bit much, and what I was worried about when I saw the first trailer. 

They really took from everything too. The Rook/Ash callbacks are from two stories that have come out in the past 10 years. One is a story with Ash uploading his consciousness into the escape pod Ripley used, the other is a backstory for Bishop, where he encounters another Bishop model named Rook. (I posted links to the stories if anyone wants to read them)

They had the boys crawling through the vents like Bishop did in Aliens, and using Alien:Isolation style distraction flares. 

Even the "vagina/vulva" Xenomorph cocoon/birth concept isn't original, it's similar to Sil's cocoon from the movie Species. So, probably a callback to that as well given Giger was heavily involved in creating the creature effects for the movie.

The nostalgia bait isn't a bad thing per se, there's just way too much of it, in my opinion.

Alien: Out of The Shadows

Broken- Aliens: Bug Hunt

Things I really enjoyed were the first part of the film, when they were on the planet/star mining colony, I thought it was the strongest and most interesting part of the whole movie. I loved Andy and Rain's relationship, would 110% watch a movie just about them. I also really liked how we finally got an answer as to what Weyland-Yutani was after with the Goo and Xenos. And I honestly loved seeing Ash again, even though it technically wasn't him.

What I really didn't like is the Xenos were so underpowered, case in point when Andy goes up against one, he should have been burned by all the acid, yet he wasn't. I also did not really like the "Baby" at the end, it was jarring and felt out of place. 

As is tradition, the Android was the best part of the movie, lol. I'd watch it again, it was a decent "popcorn" movie. I give it a generous 7/10.

there are lots of fans service but I saw there are also lots of new elements which we never seen before.

1. Alien Isolation vibe

2. Alien evolving from the chestbuster

3. Facehugger sensing of temperature

4. Gravity concept

5. Baby human-alien 

This movie gives me All-you-can-eat vibe. Not exquisite for every dishes but everything is satisfying lol.

The only way to justify that classic Ripley line is if Fede would mention that it was just another bad joke from Andy (in a sort of breaking the fourth wall intention) which would make sense considering how awkward he talks sometimes and how off his jokes really were delivered. 

Officially one of my favorite characters in the franchise btw. Hopefully he'll return. 

Andy saying "Get away from her you... Bitch" after shooting the Scorched Xeno was cheesy ngl. If only he said something like "Game over" but that's just me. 

"The "Get Away From Her, you B" line was a little bit weird lol. It was funny and a nice homage but is it necessary? Especially given the timeline. Ripley iconic line is supposed to be her own invention lol. "

Yeah, I didn't understand this dialogue. Did they know this xeno was female? Did I miss something?          If they'd watched it laying eggs maybe the line would work?    ?

I almost forgot the Alien saving Rain scene lol. Totally unexpected. I was like oh no how could Rain save herself and now she owns the Xenomorph a thank you. 

I love the film a lot. I am mostly impressed with the design, light setting. It's such a beautiful art presentation in horror genre. 

Spoiler alert below:

Pros:

I love the opening so much, the quietness and then the music gives me total 2001 Space Odyssey vibe. So well made.

I love the first act most. It gives me Fincher's vibe and the dystopian setting is beautifully made.

I am so glad Ash (Rook) made a comeback. This is what I wanted most since I heard this film was in pre-production stage. I am surprised how much he is involved in the movie though lol. I prefer Ash more calming, mysterious character though. Rook is a little pushy and speak too fast. Nevertheless I enjoy his comeback.

The chestburster born scene up to Kay die scene is the BEST of the film. Love the Xenomorph forming and acid killing, and then the scene Kay trying to escape with the Alien lurking. Give me 100% Alien Isolating vibe. 

Gravity concept is so creative. I love how this works so well from being a joke then being one of the most creative way to kill those Aliens.

Rain + Andy relationship. Human went back and save the android is kick ass. 

Third Act is a nice surprise. I love the first shot showing the human-alien after Rain was shocked in horror. An unforgettable scene to me. 

Cons:

I feel the movie is lacking the tempo. Every scene is greatly executed but the tension wasn't build up. The spaceship was going to crash but I did not feel the rush and care much. 

The "Get Away From Her, you B" line was a little bit weird lol. It was funny and a nice homage but is it necessary? Especially given the timeline. Ripley iconic line is supposed to be her own invention lol. 

After all I enjoy the film a lot. I would rank it my 4th most favourite of all. I am just so grateful we have another Alien film after 7 years. Not the most satisfying experience but it's totally not disappointed (that is important). It's not easy to revive the Alien creatures after so many films but Romulus still gives us great nostalgia plus new elements and interesting timelines. It's a dream comes true. 

I'd give it a score of 85

This excessive fan service is exactly what many of us feared Neill Blomkamp would bring to his Alien movie, and we got it anyway!

Excellent write up!

Pretty much nailed how I feel.

"CGI-Ash face aside" 

I think this might have worked if Rook was damaged (slurred speech, slow movements, a damaged eye, etc..). .....But this might be due to the family/estate wishes? ( "he has to be recognizable!" )

I usually don't call for fan edits...But this one I do. 

fan edit cuts I want as an Alien fan ( just a small sample size):

Dialogue:

"Get away from her you bitch!"

"I prefer the term artificial person myself" 

"The perfect organism"

"Is that all you got!"

If I knew nothing of the Alien verse' then this movie was awesome!

I'd like to hear from BigDave, I hope he is okay.