A must see for fans of the franchise.
“Alien: Romulus” is set between the events of “Alien” from 1979 and “Aliens” from 1986, but we don’t get Sigourney Weaver in this one. We do, however, get a number of thrilling and scary moments, as well as a ballsy attitude for us to focus on different characters in the franchise.
We meet Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny), a young space colonist trying and failing to get the documents to get her and her synthetic Andy (David Jonsson) off a planet with no sunshine. Their only recourse is to tag along with other colonists-consisting of Tyler (Archie Renaux), his sister Kay (Isabela Merced), the synthetic-hating Bjorn (Spike Fearn), and his tech girlfriend Navarro (Aileen Wu)-to scavenge an abandoned space station for parts. All the equipment they need to more forward.
Of course, because face huggers are found on that ship, one of them attacks one of the humans, and the alien grows out of the chest. But that’s just the beginning.
Sitting in my seat at a special Dolby screening, I’m acknowledging the special effects, sounds, and entertainment value “Alien; Romulus” wants to honor within the franchise. And like “Twisters,” this sequel (or midquel as it likes to be referred to as), it doesn’t rely on franchise regulars to help carry the movie or its predictable formulas. But rather, it reminds fans on why the franchise is iconic, and there’s still a lot of slime and blood all around.
I’m not able to read all of the characters, because they practically come and go, and some of them make stupid choices, but there are those who stand out and win you over. And they’re played by fine young actors who literally don’t require star billing on the poster or trailer to sell the movie.
Rain is a young woman who, like Weaver’s Ripley, is able to thrive on whatever dangers the alien, known as Xenomorph, brings upon her and the remaining survivors. And Spaeny, who started the year off brilliantly in “Civil War,” has proven herself to be a fine young actress.
Kay is also a young girl, who has her personal issues, and she serves as an important element within the story. I don’t want to give out any spoilers, but trust me, they are haunting and provocative. And Merced, who started the year off lousy in “Madame Web,” is entertaining here.
And Andy is somebody that Rain has always considered a brother. Even before and after I found out he was a synthetic, I can sense if he’s autistic because of the way he talks and makes some corny jokes (“I’m reading a book about zero gravity.” “It’s impossible to put down” is an example). But when he has to have a chip belonging to a fallen synthetic, he becomes more intelligent with that same mannerisms as that character. Jonsson is absolutely riveting in the role.
“Alien: Romulus” was directed by Fede Alvarez, who also made “Evil Dead” (2013) and “Don’t Breathe,” and was produced by franchise genius Ridley Scott, and franchise producer Walter Hill. As I began to watch this movie, I was reminded of “Don’t Breathe,” based on certain elements in the film.
The first “Alien” movie I saw in theaters as a kid was “Alien Vs. Predator” literally 20 years ago, which was rated PG-13. And believe me, that film has nothing on the 1979 classic, and I was having a conversation on how realistic the John Hurt death was in that film compared to the CGI effects today. 20 years later, I saw “Alien: Romulus” as a smart and thrilling piece of bloody entertainment. I guess I’m smarter today than I was back then, especially if this film is as R-rated as it needs to be.
And I guess with the “Predator” prequel “Prey” and now, “Alien: Romulus,” these two iconic monsters are both able to survive the 2020s. Individually, of course.
