As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for sci-fi and a deep appreciation for the Alien franchise, I must admit that Alien: Romulus has left me utterly spellbound. Being a die-hard fan who’s seen every flick since the original back when VHS tapes still ruled the roost, this film has managed to weave an intricate tapestry of chills and action that pays homage to both Ridley Scott and James Cameron.
Among the unexpected hits at the box office this late summer is the performance of “Alien: Romulus“, the seventh installment in the ongoing “Alien” series and one of the best films of the year. Fede Alvarez, the director of “Alien: Romulus“, draws heavily on the eerie atmosphere of Ridley Scott’s original “Alien” and the action-packed style of James Cameron’s “Aliens” by setting the story within the time period between these two films. Despite the studio expressing reservations about the over-the-top climax, Alvarez discussed potential connections to Ripley’s whereabouts in an interview on TopMob’s ReelBlend podcast, and some sharp-eyed fans think they have spotted these links.
For contextual understanding, let me explain the sequence of events: At the end of Ridley Scott’s movie Alien, Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) expels the terrifying alien into deep space. Before doing so, she and Jones the cat go into cryo-sleep. The next time they appear on screen is during James Cameron’s Aliens, released in 1986. In this movie, Ripley’s dramatic showdown takes place.
Since the film “Alien: Romulus” takes place in the timeline between “Alien” and “Aliens”, it’s plausible that Ripley was kept in stasis somewhere during this timeframe. Alvarez hinted to ReelBlend that he subtly included references to Ripley, waiting for viewers to discover them. Now, with the movie having been released for a while, fans believe they have uncovered these hidden references. On AVPGalaxy.net, one user points out a Starcub-class cruiser drifting away from the Renaissance station, but this isn’t the only supposed reference.
Towards the latter part of the movie, when character Kay (Isabela Merced) finds herself trapped in a chamber with a Xenomorph, and Rain (Cailee Spaeny) is pleading with Andy (David Jonnson) to open the door, an observant viewer might notice that Ripley’s Narcissus shuttle is visible docked in the background. This implies that when the Weyland-Yutani team retrieved the ejected alien at the start of Alien: Romulus, they also managed to salvage both Ripley and Jones, keeping them on the Romulus for a certain period.
Fortune smiled upon me when I had the chance to chat with Weta VFX Supervisor, Daniel Macarin! During our conversation, I couldn’t help but bring up the iconic Ripley’s stasis pod. He graciously shared some insights into their creative process, revealing the intricate workings behind its design and implementation.
In our work, we’ve incorporated numerous subtle references. It’s always exciting when we get to hide Easter eggs within our creations. However, it’s crucial not to make these references too obvious or they might distract from the main storyline. Often, it becomes a game of balance – ‘What if we added this?’ followed by ‘But would that detract from the shot?’ I strive to include elements that enhance the viewing experience without immediately catching the eye of the audience. For instance, with Ripley’s ship, placing it subtly is acceptable for frequent viewers who might catch these extra details. But any Easter egg must be carefully crafted so as not to detract from the narrative flow. These hidden gems are intended for devoted fans who will appreciate them and possibly ponder over them later. Once spotted, these Easter eggs can’t be unseen.
As a gamer, I find this approach to a sequel quite invigorating. It’s like creating a new chapter without strictly adhering to the established storyline. Instead, it dares to deviate, avoiding the compulsion to bring back familiar characters. Unfortunately, Alien: Romulus fell into that trap too. However, what sets Romulus apart is its ambition to tell its own tale, using elements from the Alien franchise as tools, yet leaving the door open for further exploration of the Alien mythos. If Fede Alvarez or another filmmaker chooses to continue the narrative, there’s room for them to do so.
The sci-fi blockbuster “Alien: Romulus” continues to attract audiences to cinemas, making it an excellent farewell for summer. As we glance over the lineup of movies set to release in 2024 and anticipate what autumn has in store.
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2024-08-23 18:37