Anyway, Alien: Romulus is the seventh film about these particular monsters. According to the producers, the film takes the franchise ‘back to its roots’. So we get a group of grimy crew-mates piloting a big rust-bucket of a spaceship who pick up an extraterrestrial stowaway and end up having to use their wits and courage to survive as it gobbles them up, one by one.
And it’s not a bad film. It’s nicely creepy, the special effects are good, the acting is perfectly serviceable. In fact, I could give you a normal review of Alien: Romulus, but just writing this is making me feel a little crazy. It’s not a bad film, but it’s also a direct copy of a much better film that already exists. That film is called Alien, and it came out in 1979. It had Sigourney Weaver in it. It hasn’t vanished. If you have a Disney+ subscription or a torrent client, you can watch it tonight. Why have we made it again? What’s the point? Why have we spent the past 45 years – which is longer than I’ve been alive – making seven different versions of the same film? What on Earth is going on?
I thought the first action set piece with the facehuggers in Romulus was the films highlight. The corridor section, not so much.
I mean yes, totally. I haven’t seen it, yet, but will likely be going to the cinema for this one.
But, to just throw an idea out there … covers of and homages to songs are normal and sometimes awesome in music, and fundamental in live music.
So maybe the same isn’t so bad in film, especially if they’re not done badly, as it seems to be here.
Maybe “the problem” is more the lack of properly original works, the copious unashamed cinematic universe slop and faithless reboots?
In the same way that Bond films and Disney films find ways to manifest and apply to each new generation or era, why not other classic forms?
But, to just throw an idea out there … covers of and homages to songs are normal and sometimes awesome in music, and fundamental in live music.
So maybe the same isn’t so bad in film, especially if they’re not done badly, as it seems to be here.
The film does a lot of things I liked but those call-outs are often so clunky it spoiled what could have been one of the great Alien films (it's still better than most).
I haven't watched the new film yet, but saying that 7 remakes of the first movie have been made is total bullshit.
"Covenant" and "Prometheus" would've been killer movies to kick off a new IP.
I might be the old man shouting at clouds, but I've been turned off to all franchise "reboots". Just sick of rehashes and revisits and the cute little "winks" these movies do to the previous installments. Have an original thought, damn.
Yes! The whole time I was watching Raised by Wolves I was waiting for some kind of Prometheus tie in! It felt imminent.
Counterpoint: please make another actually good work in the universe.
I have my fingers crossed for the HBO (I think) series set to release next year.
I have my fingers crossed for the HBO (I think) series set to release next year.
Because of the track record of HBO and its IPs, I think I'll wait until the show is officially over and find out if it actually has a meaningfully satisfying ending, even if it's Aliens-grim.
What even is the last HBO show I can think of that did that? Rome, sort of?
What even is the last HBO show I can think of that did that?
How to With John Wilson, it's like David Attenborough but for people-watching in New York
Also, The Rehearsal because
is a silly little manI haven't seen those or heard much about them, but I'll take your word for it.
John Wilson is a very beautiful show, i think you'll like it. here's the season 3 trailer
The Rehearsal on the other hand is a sort of pseudo-continuation of Nathan For You, so if you liked the Burgerpunk aspect of first one, you'll like this one
The problem is, Alien: Romulus was pretty good. It gives the original a run for its money in my opinion.
I just want another Aliens vs Predator video game. Those 3-way multiplayer matches were so fun.
This article would maybe have a point if they hadn't finally released a good Alien movie for the first time in like 30 or 40 years.
Romulus would be better without the callbacks to the first two films. One character in particular I wish was someone else entirely. Also, I didn't like the ending as it tied into Prometheus/Covenant, my least favourite of the Alien franchise.
I feel Alien has gone the way of Star Wars which keeps linking to the Skywalker's. Let Alien break free of the Ripley verse (She's even in Romulus as a well hidden Easter Egg!) and do something different. The comics have had excellent stories over the years, adapt one of those.
One of my favourites is Aliens: Labyrinth which is about a crazy scientist on a deep space station who has successfully got the alien species under control. His backstory is quite something and you know it will go wrong in the end.
reason is that historically and statisticwise, sequels make more money then original movies. so there you have it.
Alien 3 it's the last enjoyable part of this saga, even resurrection if you're bored, nothing later should ever be done.
