Alien: Romulus is a sci-fi lovers dream when it comes to more tentacles, caustic drool, and dark space peril. But what does it give the rest of the movie realm? Who cares? This is an alien movie for the alien fans. On that note it delivers where needed.
In this ninth (if you count the Predator films) in the Alien franchise we certainly get more of the Alien. Chronologically it is near impossible to keep up with where they all are in a time line. After talking to some of my more nerdy, I mean knowledgeable, critic friends we can pinpont this one as taking place between Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). Though it is set close to these two films in time it in no way comes close to the fun and re watchability of those classics.
The official premise for the film is; while scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. The word we need to take from that synopsis is “young”. Where the movie falls short is in the characters we have to follow and try hard to root for. It does not bode well when you get one-third of the way into the film and you find yourself hoping they all die.
I am not sure the reasoning to have such a young cast for this. The story line revolves around young people trying to find a way to escape the hardships of their home planet. That could easily have been revamped to wide age range and still have stayed on point. Sadly this group of widely unknown actors add nothing to the film or its success. Even Aliens with its unbelievable rag tag group gave us humor and characters we enjoyed watching. The only one worth rooting for was Andy who was played marvelously by David Jonsson. Cailee Spaeny also gets a pass as the main character Rain. The rest were poorly written and impossible to get behind.
Possibly writer/director Fede Alvarez figured none of the characters mattered because he was going to blow our minds with the aliens, practical effects, and the terror of space. And he was right. Once we get into the heart of the ship and the terror that awaits; all is forgiven. It is getting there that is the hardest part. Alvarez offers up a film that is as much spine chilling horror as it is Sci-Fi. You can tell he wanted to please the franchise fans more than anything. At the end of the day it is Alien in the title.
There are some well timed surprises too. Those familiar with the alien films will appreciate the nod and connection we get in part here. It could stand alone in any point in time, but due to some thoughtful additions we can be fairly certain where we are in the canon. The film also allows you to speculate how it not only ties in to the past but the future as well.
See it in IMAX
This films is heard and felt as much as it is seen. I cannot stress more that to fully enjoy it you have to see it as big and loud as possible. Will it hit the same on a smaller screen or later when streaming? I doubt it. The story and characters are not enough. You need the full on assault of the action. Which can only be achieved in Imax. There were times when I held on to my seat as it shook and vibrated with each rocket thrust or alien attack.
Alien: Romulus is rated R for bloody violent content and language. There are so many jump scares I stopped counting. The aliens are intense, and vicious, and menacing. The visuals are stuff of nightmares. If you were sort of let down by the cerebral tones of Prometheus and Covenant not to worry. This one you can be as dumb as a stump and still enjoy the ride. Maybe even more so.
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