Summary
- Alien: Romulus
brings genuine scares and visceral thrills to revive the franchise with Cailee Spaeny shining as the badass protagonist. - The film expertly meshes sci-fi and horror in a dark, grimy setting with excellent special effects and tension-building scenes that genuinely terrify.
- While the plot may be predictable,
Alien: Romulus
succeeds in terrifying audiences with its unrelenting onslaught of horror and immersive cinematic experience.
As a lifelong fan of the Alien franchise, I must say that “Alien: Romulus” has undoubtedly left me both awestruck and bewildered. The sonic landscape created by the filmmakers was truly unsettling, complementing Galo Olivares’ haunting visuals to perfection. However, much like a xenomorph bursting from an unsuspecting crew member, there are plot holes that require a generous helping of suspension of disbelief.
In a refreshing turn for the “Alien” franchise, Director Fede Álvarez delivers a chilling and intense experience in the seventh installment (excluding the ill-fated Predator crossovers). This Uruguayan filmmaker expertly combines elements of science fiction and horror to create a suspenseful, bloodcurdling spectacle that’s sure to make viewers leap from their seats. While the outcome may be predictable, the movie isn’t about complex storylines or logical consistency; instead, it focuses on instilling sheer terror, and it achieves this effectively. However, the film’s main flaw is its excessive use of multiple endings, when just one could have sufficed.
Return of the Evil Weyland-Yutani Corporation
20 years following the events in Alien, Cailee Spaeny plays the role of Rain Carradine. Stranded on a distant mining planet that experiences no daylight, Rain lost her parents to a rapid lung illness, leaving her an orphan along with her synthetic “brother.” Initially, Andy (David Jonsson) appears as a somewhat autistic android who keeps Rain amused through an endless stream of dry humor. He has a childlike demeanor, speaks hesitantly, and moves unsteadily.
The relentless Weyland-Yutani Corporation raised the mining targets for its enslaved laborers. Rain comes to understand that her only hope of leaving this nightmarish prison is through daring intervention. An old acquaintance, Tyler (Archie Renaux), unexpectedly uncovers a potential solution: a derelict space station has entered their planet’s orbit and will crash into the icy rings within two days. If they can find operational cryo chambers inside, it could be their ticket to freedom.
1. Rain doubts that the task is feasible due to its high risk and numerous uncertainties. Tyler insists she can’t be left out because they require Andy to interact with the MU/TH/UR computer at the station. In the end, Rain agrees, realizing there’s no prospect for a better future otherwise. She wishes she had listened to her gut feelings. (Paraphrased)
Unmitigated Terror in a Claustrophobic Hellhole
In a departure from the usual optimistic depiction in Star Trek, Romulus portrays a gritty reality driven by desperation. The colony isn’t a gleaming, cheerful future landscape, but rather a dismal, grimy pit of economic hardship. Álvarez (known for Evil Dead and The Girl in the Spider’s Web) maintains the franchise’s gritty industrial design, eschewing sleekness and smoothness. Instead, everything is rough, mechanical, and evokes a tangible sense of fear. Those who are claustrophobic may find themselves shuddering as the characters navigate narrow, cramped spaces, amplifying the feeling of being trapped, just like Rain does in the story.
In this story, the characters find themselves in nerve-wracking circumstances, completely unsure of their surroundings, making it possible for frightening creatures to attack from any direction at any moment. This creates a high level of suspense, as Álvarez masterfully executes. One scene stands out, leaving viewers utterly spellbound, with some even shouting in the cinema. Such a reaction is genuine fear, not manufactured. Additionally, Álvarez successfully steers clear of tired genre clichés by keeping the scares subtly implied rather than overtly announced.
Unmitigated Terror
The film’s music and visuals effectively convey its intense atmosphere. Notable composer Benjamin Wallfisch, known for his work in ‘Hidden Figures’, ‘Blade Runner 2049’, and ‘It’, delivers an impressive performance here. He skillfully incorporates the haunting, operatic elements from ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ to create a sense of sonic dread. This, along with Galo Olivares’ unsettling use of lighting and camera work, establishes a setting for brutal and relentless violence. Put simply, ‘Alien: Romulus’ has a powerful cinematic impact, achieved when everyone involved shares the same creative vision.
Critics can pick apart the storyline in detail. There are obvious inconsistencies that demand a degree of imagination to ignore. Let’s focus on the two most apparent ones. Everybody is eager to depart the settlement. It’s hard to believe that a massive, abandoned space station filled with potentially valuable technology would go unnoticed by anyone other than a group of energetic youngsters. Why wasn’t the Weyland-Yutani corporation aware of its existence? One would expect a rush towards orbit.
As a movie critic, I found myself questioning Andy’s capabilities throughout “Alien: Romulus”. His synthetic strength and speed are inconsistent, making him seem more like a malfunctioning tool than a character. One moment he struggles to open a door, then suddenly lifts something impossibly heavy without any explanation. Andy, played brilliantly by Jonsson, is a complex character that works flawlessly one second but fails inexplicably the next.
Cailee Spaeny Takes Control
Spaeny is impressively bringing to life compelling, unpolished characters. Her talent in “Priscilla” and “Civil War” shines once more through another young woman who’s molded by harsh circumstances. Rain might not have the imposing physique or immediately radiate the commanding presence of Sigourney Weaver’s legendary Ripley, but that doesn’t make her any less intelligent or competent. Rain has learned to endure in the outskirts of the colony. She demonstrates quick thinking and clarity when things take a turn for the worst. As the story unfolds, Rain transforms into a formidable protagonist who uses the aliens’ grotesque traits against them.
“Alien: Romulus” is considered the strongest film in the series since James Cameron’s groundbreaking work. While it may not be on par with “Aliens,” it delivers an impressive mix of intense action, fear, and suspense. A jaw-dropping twist in the second act will leave fans utterly thrilled. Spoiler alert: Alien: Romulus deserves a follow-up film featuring Spaeny as the new protagonist, picking up where Ripley left off. She’s an amazing character that audiences will easily cheer for.
The sci-fi film titled “Romulus” is a collaborative work between Scott Free Productions and Brandywine Productions. On August 16th, it’s set to hit the big screens through 20th Century Studios.
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2024-08-14 23:34