Regardless of your knowledge of the Alien franchise, it is basically general knowledge that the first two films occupy the top tier. Personally, I feel good about that as I have recently only seen those two along with 2012’s Prometheus.
Obviously, this makes me not at all an expert of any kind about the franchise, but that does not mean I can’t try to enjoy the films individually, which brings us to Alien: Romulus. Oddly enough, the events of this film actually take place between the first two films, while paying homage (both effectively and not effectively) to them.
To describe the plot of the film would be borderline arduous and silly, but I will try. On a far away mining planet, we meet an orphan named Rain (Cailee Spaeny), who is accompanied by her adoptive brother Andy (David Jonsson), an android programmed by her late father to watch over her (along with a plethora of dad jokes). Unable to leave the planet (which we learn has no sunlight) legally, she runs into her ex Tyler (Archie Renaux). Tyler, his sister Kay (Isabela Merced), cousin Bjorn (Spike Fearn), and Bjorn’s girlfriend Navarro (Aileen Wu) devise a plan: go to a nearby station (of sorts) and get the fuel needed for cryo sleep so then can go to another planet with better living conditions. Of course, not all goes as planned.
This is only the third film by director Fede Álvarez (the only one I have seen as of now). Visually, the film is simply remarkable, from the lighting (or lack thereof) to the production design.The film is rife with many impressive set pieces: my personal favorite is that of a zero gravity corridor filled with Alien acidic blood (was that always the case for Alien blood? I don’t remember.)
There is, however, one clear addition to the film that has be the subject of controversy. A certain actor (who has since passed) is brought back with CGI (although the exact character they played is not brought back). On a recent episode of The Big Picture Podcast, Álvarez was interviewed, and gives his reasoning for this decision. It is clear he did this with the utmost amount of respect, but the overall result takes some time to getting used to.
Parents, this is an Alien movie. Even if there is no sexual content, the swearing and violence (not to mention the scares) more than make up for it. Keep the kids at home.
Recently, my friend/fellow filmgoer Bill told me how he will wait until seeing Alien: Romulus, stating that he is all “Aliened” out at this point (unlike me, he has seen all of the previous ones.)
I can understand his reasoning, and it may not help if I were to mention that it does pay homage to the first two films almost too much (one line in particular may rub some the wrong way.) Fortunately, I am not as big into the franchise as others, so I did not feel too offended.
Also, there were just enough jump scares that I admit got me.
Overall:
Nothing else to say 