Alien³ 1992

Given what happened with the production of the film it is amazing that a coherent story came out at all, much less a pretty good one. Following one classic is difficult enough, but following two is nigh on impossible. The furore over the opening that abruptly resolved the fate of certain characters from the previous film is understandable, but the bleak narrative provides a satisfying conclusion to Ripley's character arc, notwithstanding the film that followed. Equally, the religious overtones form an interesting backbone, even more so in the improved workprint release. It is not particularly scary, a standoff between the Alien and Ripley in the midpoint of the film providing the only real moment of tension, and most of the secondary characters are forgettable alien fodder, an accusation that could never be levelled at the previous films. Unsurprisingly, Charles Dance stands out here as the one new character worth exploring and his relationship with Ripley in the film is the most interesting one - it is unfortunate the film dispenses with this once the Alien makes its presence known. The decision to shoot the final action scene from the Alien's POV provides the film with a unique sequence as both prisoners and creature attempt to stalk and lure each other, though this does rob the film of some much needed tension. Not a classic then, but still an interesting entry into the Alien series.

Aliens might be the objectively better movie. It knew exactly what it wanted to be- a dramatic and thrilling but ultimately straightforward and crowdpleasing action flick- and was given the freedom achieve it without much issue. But for my money, Alien 3 is the more interesting movie, and my preferred one out of the two. It’s a return to the roots of the first- one alien instead of many, a dark and oppressive atmosphere, quiet moments with the characters. There’s some fantastic and iconic shots here. The alien inches away from Ripley’s face as Weaver recoils in fear, Paul Mcgann’s face cast in darkness and grime and his blue eyes illuminated in divine light as he searches for his mythical dragon. I honestly can’t think of any from Aliens that stick with me the same way.

And the characters in Aliens are archetypes. Fun archetypes acted to excellence, but still archetypes. Dillion alone is a deeper character than the lot of them, and Dutton is captivating in the role. The man could’ve honestly carried this film alone as the character, but Weaver is on point as ever, at this point a tired woman who’s lost everything and for whom death is a release, maybe even if she wasn’t carrying the Queen. Charles Dance holds the first half of the film in the palm of his hand, and honestly it disposing of him so early, while indeed a shock, was not worth the trade off when the character could’ve done a lot more for the story.

And oh, Hendrickson. The nuances he gives each Bishop is just perfect. In Allen’s, we’re not supposed to trust Bishop at first because he’s a synthetic like Ash. He’s robotic, serene, professional, too good to be true. But then the subversion is he really is just that, he’s genuine and just a nice guy who, by not shying away from his roboticism and trying to act ‘human’ like Ash or even Burke (all smiles and no soul), actually feels more real and human.

And then Bishop II is all soothing charm, trying to sell Ripley on him caring about her, and he is charismatic but there’s something off. He’s a friendly face, like he said, but it’s the eyes that give him away, that you can look at and see him trying so hard to get Ripley to buy him as a Human Being Who Cares, her Bishop but Human, and therefore better, therefore more trustworthy. It doesn’t make a difference whether this Bishop really is the original human or is another model. It’s not what he’s physically made of but what he’s morally and spiritually made of that makes him hollow, and it’s that makes his snapping at Ripley of “I’m not a droid!” so good. Because either way it’s a petty, entitled outburst of trying to make Ripley obey him and failing when an android just being himself and genuinely wanting to help her earned her trust. If he is a droid, it’s the desperate cry of trying to prove he’s not when a droid was one of the kindest characters in the franchise. And if he’s not, it’s a disbelieving, furious outburst that Ripley would trust in a droid but not the real thing, failing to see that in the end Bishop I was more of a person than he could hope to be.

And that’s just one actor! One actor with two characters and two performances, and it makes me think more than all of Aliens did. There’s flaws. Again, I think killing Clemens so early was a mistake, the attempted rape scene doesn’t feel particularly needed, and you can feel the constraints of the executives and the struggles of the creatives. But that almost makes it more interesting. If I had seen Aliens sooner, or first, or had the same emotional attachment it, maybe I’d be infuriated about Hicks and Newt. Maybe the action flavor would be my definitive Alien interpretation. But for me, this and the original Alien are what this franchise should be.

HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY to ALIEN 3

Hell yeah, as of today, Alien 3 was unleashed onto the world exactly 25 years ago. Now unfortunately, audiences were not treated to the amazing assembly cut, which I've already strongly recommended, but nonetheless, David Fincher's first film was released into theaters with a largely mixed reaction. It wouldn't be until 2001 that a proper fully recut version of the movie would be released, which is now available on the Alien Anthology Blu-ray box set.

I'm not going to write a super long review for this one, as I'm burnt out after that Alien: Covenant four page angry rant, but I'll write just a little on why this is one of my favorite movies of all time.

A lot of people are very quick to dismiss this movie, as one the surface, they judge the critical plot point that happens in the first 5 minutes of the movie, in which Hicks and Newt from James Cameron's Aliens are unceremoniously killed off-screen with a word of dialogue or screen-time. I wonder if audience members just tuned out after that scene and refused to accept and enjoy the movie with such a "FUCK YOU!" moment like that so early on. I personally don't mind it, as it perfectly sets the depressing tone the movie goes for. Put those characters to rest, as they're not the focus of the Alien universe. Ripley is the focus of the franchise.

Just a brief synopsis, Ripley is the soul survivor of an escape pod crash as she lands on a distant prison planet, Fiorina "Fury" 161. She's rescued and put with the other prisoners, where they must soon join forces as they face off an alien loose in the lead refinery prison plant, which stoad aboard the crashed escape pod.

I love the thematic elements Fincher tries to go for, mostly stuff that only appears in the assembly cut. A lot of people have pointed out all the religious symbolism that vapors over the entire movie, in it's imagery and storyline. Ripley comes to the planet almost like a Jesus figure. In this bleak and terrible environment, a group of people who are criminals and rapists, the prison inmates have converted to a kind of Christian religion, but are thrown off when a temptation figure, a woman, arrives on the planet. They question their own religion and existence even further with the presence of an evil figure, the xenomorph. By the person Ripley is, she forgives and atones for their sins, and ultimate sacrifices herself at the end for the good of mankind, destroying the last alien and even forming the crucifix at the end as she throws herself in the lava.

But besides it's rather heavy use of themes, it's a perfect sequel to the masterpiece Alien. Because it's not an action movie, it has the chance to recapture the close encounters claustrophobic and chaotic attitude the finale the first movie originally had. It's an incredibly nightmarish experience, in mood and events. Ripley has had to witness everyone she's ever known be killed and hasn't gotten a break since the first film. Even at the end of Alien 3, when human Bishop lies to Ripley that he'll kill the xenomorph chestburster and she can go live a normal, she can tell through his words his dishonesty, and decides she's had enough with the horror and "bullshit" she's had to endure. It's not a pleasant movie by any means, but the dark and terrible nature of the story and atmosphere makes it a true horror movie. The music by Elliot Goldenthal is on the same level as James Horner's score for Aliens. It's hopeless attitude and Alien-like sound makes it a true work of art for a movie soundtrack.

I'll take a religious-heavy, brilliantly written, visually terrifying, and wonderfully executed horror downer any day. I love this kind of shit. The characters are all interesting, especially Morse, who has a wicked dark sense of humor. Ripley's character is brought to a final close, and I consider this movie to be the true finale to the Alien franchise, and it really works. Trying to bring her back in Resurrection just screamed cash-grab. This is a fantastic film. Yes, it's depressing as hell and it's not for everyone, but that's to be expected going into a HORROR movie. PLEASE give it a chance, watch past the opening scene. It's not meant to have a happy ending where it's all smiles. Ridley Scott should've followed this movie for Alien: Covenant.