Rating of
2/4
Witness the Resurrection
ZJW - wrote on 07/25/08
Alien Resurrection is the fourth and to this date final film in the Alien saga – not including the recent AvP films. The films title no doubt references both the resurrection of Ripley and an attempt to revitalize the Alien series after the relatively poor reception of Alien 3. Penned by Joss Whedon and directed by Jean-Pierre Juenet, Alien Resurrection was released in November of 1997. Unfortunately it met with equally mixed critical reception and even worse box office numbers as its predecessor.
The very loose plot of the film takes place 200 years after the events of Alien 3. A team of scientists has cloned Ripley aboard the USM (United Military Systems) Auriga using blood samples from Fury 161. They have done this to extract the Alien Queen inside of her. There are plenty of questionable things about this although it’s best not to dwell and just move on for the time being.
We soon discover that several things have changed in the time Ripley’s been away. The most immediate change is the absence of “the company”. Here, the USM takes the role of “the company” as Weyland-Yutani was inexplicably bought out by Wal-Mart. This leaves an emotional void though as Ripley’s true enemy over the previous three films was Weyland-Yutani and their persistent desire to capture the alien for their bio-weapons division. Something else that has changed is Ripley herself. This is not the Ripley of the first three Alien films, but “number 8”. As it would happen to be, as a result of the cloning process she was left with enhanced strength, acidic blood, and even an empathic link with the aliens. While the character herself proves to be interesting at times, it is a very different Ripley than we have come to know in the previous installments.
We are eventually introduced to a disgruntled crew of mercenaries who have come to deliver human hosts for the USM. The USM soon hatch their ill-advised plan of domesticating the Aliens for purposes relatively unknown. While this results in some interesting scenes with the creatures, it takes them out of the shadows and takes away the fear they once presented. It’s sad though that in a film that puts the creatures in such light the Alien design is so dismal. They are still recognizable as Aliens but look drastically different from Alien and Aliens. While their appearance certainly won’t ruin the movie on it’s own, they aren’t nearly as good looking as previously seen.
Anyways… it doesn’t take long for the Aliens to break free of containment and we are treated to one of the most comical evacuation sequences I have ever seen. I’m not sure if any attempt is actually made at fighting the Aliens. Despite having a sizable military personal on the Auriga – it is a military vessel after all - they decide to simply evacuate once the Aliens break containment. Now I assume this was supposed to come off as dramatic and exciting but instead comes off as corny and very over the top. This is another example of the film failing to create a sense of fear or tension, something the first three films did so well.
We are left then to follow Ripley and our team of space pirates in an attempt to get off the ship before they meet their seemingly inevitable demise. Things become more complicated however when they realize they are moving – the Auriga is on a course back to Earth. The greatest action of the film is the underwater sequence, which successfully creates the excitement and drama that Aliens was able to maintain in its entirety. Perhaps the greatest moment of the film though is when Ripley discovers numbers 1-7, although even this doesn’t come off as dramatic and powerful as it ought to. The film takes a very laughable turn with the infamous “newborn”. Apparently, as the science of this film would have us believe, as a result of the cloning process the Alien Queen has stopped laying eggs and has instead developed a womb – this being Ripley’s “gift” to her. It also happens to view Ripley as its mother. The creature itself is both comical and cringe worthy in its appearance.
In the end the film concludes with the Betty safely escaping as the Augira crashes to Earth. The final shot on the Augira is great – mind you it’s only five seconds but even so it’s among the best atmospheric moments of the film. There are other great atmospheric shots in the film and the sets all look wonderful. Unlike many sci-fi films it’s the story that pulls the viewer out of the film as opposed to the scenery. The film has enough energy to carry itself along and keep the viewer interested but the tongue-in-cheek elements distract more than they help engage the viewer.
Alien Resurrection is a fairly solid science fiction and action film but as an Alien film it pales in comparison to the previous three. The film’s style and tone is so different that is really feels like it’s been misplaced. Ripley is no longer herself, the “company” is absent and the aliens are no longer scary. They certainly are interesting and compelling but despite this films best efforts there is no longer a sense of fear or suspense. The Special Edition of the film adds seven minutes which are ultimately inconsequential although I tend to prefer it. As a whole Alien Resurrection is an adequate and fairly entertaining film but doesn’t come close to touching the quality of its predecessors.
