Rating of
1/4
O No - Not Another Species Film...
ZJW - wrote on 07/24/08
You would really think that three would have been enough. In fact, it wouldn’t be so bad an argument to suggest that one Species film was enough. Apparently though, someone thought otherwise and thus we are presented with a 3rd sequel to the original Species. Why they didn't just call it ‘Species 4’ I’m not sure. Perhaps they had hoped you forgot they ever made a Species 2 and Species 3. If you did happen forget how bad those films were though it won't take you very long to remember. The film actually starts off well enough, even showing signs that it could overcome the downfalls of the last two Species films. Of course, good things never do quite last and it isn't long before any hint of promise this film has fades away.
The plot - the latest in our line of attractive female human/alien hybrids, Miranda (Helena Mattsson), discovers that she isn't an everyday ordinary girl. Actually, by some stretch or another she is a college professor despite being in her young twenties. It is revealed to her by her “uncle” that she had been developed from one of the three embryos mentioned in the original Species. Helena Mattsson does a fine job in the film, provided her job is to look attractive and occasionally portray confusion about her origins. Unfortunately, having a sexy blonde lead does not save the film from being so bad to the point where it almost isn't watchable. This is of course something the faithful makers of the Species franchise should have already learned.
Soon enough we find ourselves in Mexico as Miranda and her uncle go in search of the scientist who assisted in her creation. How we are ever supposed to believe her uncle is an intelligent scientist is beyond me. Once there they run across numerous hybrids who are hell bent on killing them, although I don’t think it is ever made clear why. The film really has a lack of energy through the middle portion of it. It isn’t until the very end, after attempting to “cure” Miranda, does she finally embrace her killer instincts. This leads to a less than exciting battle between her and a jealous female hybrid. It might have been more exciting if you could actually follow what was going on on-screen. The film does conclude with a nice explosion that probably chewed up a good percentage of what was likely a very low budget.
The film is the first in the series not to leave the door open for another Species. Of course that doesn’t mean they couldn’t make a fourth sequel if they wanted to. In fact this film had no real connection to Species 3. Who would really want a fifth Species though? It also makes me wonder if it is possible to have a good Species film. It really doesn’t seem like it would be all too difficult. Then again, I believe the basis of the Species movie is a hot blonde with Alien DNA attempting to mate, killing a bunch of guys in the process. The logic and science of the Species films? Non-existent. The original was an entertaining and interesting film. It wasn’t a great film and it’s logic didn’t always pan out but there were definitely interesting concepts to be explored. Unfortunately, this film, as well as the previous two sequels, doesn’t live up to its B-Movie glory.
