Alien: Romulus First Reactions Arrive; Is It Worthy of the Original or Another Divisive Installment?

Alien: Romulus First Reactions Arrive; Is It Worthy of the Original or Another Divisive Installment?

As a lifelong cinephile who’s been chasing the elusive ‘perfect Alien movie’ since I first saw Ridley Scott’s original masterpiece, I must admit that my heart skipped a beat when I heard about Alien: Romulus. Having grown up on these terrifying creatures and their haunting world, I was cautiously optimistic but also wary of the franchise’s recent missteps.


As a passionate movie critic, I’ve just had the privilege of witnessing the newest addition to the legendary Alien series, titled “Alien: Romulus.” The question on everyone’s lips is whether this film successfully bridges the gap between the original masterpiece and its iconic sequel, “Aliens,” as intended by director Fede Álvarez. Will it be another nail-biting encounter with the terrifying Xenomorph, or will “Alien: Romulus” join the ranks of lesser Alien outings? With the press screenings now complete, let’s delve into the mystery…

According to Germain Lussier from Gizmodo, there was plenty to appreciate in Alien: Romulus. He commended the prequel/sequel for creatively blending elements from various films in the series, resulting in a “crazy” or “outlandish” narrative.

“#AlienRomulus” – A Wild, Thrilling Journey through the Previous Six ‘Alien’ Films!

Jazz Tangcay from Variety shared a similar sentiment, as his initial doubts were swiftly dispelled by their commitment to real effects, sound design, and constructing an immersive world.

“The film has returned, and I must admit, it ranks among the top in this series. Director Fede Álvarez delivers as expected. The sound and visual elements are impressive, and the world is well-crafted. The practical effects were so convincing they gave me nightmares.”

In a different perspective, critic Courtney Howard labeled Alien: Romulus as “intense, captivating and stunningly desolate.” Could anything else be desired?

“Fede Alvarez’s #AlienRomulus is intense, captivating, and visually stunning in its bleakness (from its narrative to Olivares’ cinematography to Wallfisch’s music). It innovatively delivers intelligent, clever content while subtly revisiting classic elements. Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson deliver outstanding performances. This production is exceptional!”

Alien: Romulus Could Prove to Be Another Divisive Outing in the Sci-Fi Franchise

Alien: Romulus First Reactions Arrive; Is It Worthy of the Original or Another Divisive Installment?Alien: Romulus First Reactions Arrive; Is It Worthy of the Original or Another Divisive Installment?Alien: Romulus First Reactions Arrive; Is It Worthy of the Original or Another Divisive Installment?Alien: Romulus First Reactions Arrive; Is It Worthy of the Original or Another Divisive Installment?Alien: Romulus First Reactions Arrive; Is It Worthy of the Original or Another Divisive Installment?

However, while the first reactions are largely positive, there have been some divisive responses to certain aspects to the Alien outing. MovieWeb’s own Richard Fink “really dug” a lot of what Romulus had to offer, but did mention “one element” they did not like…

“The movie seems to embody both the strengths and weaknesses of the Alien series, with one aspect that didn’t quite work for me. However, it gives the impression that the sequels have finally hit their stride.”

In the critique of the prequel/sequel, it has been questioned, particularly by Leo Rydel from Geekly Goods, who found that Alien: Romulus overused nostalgia by blending “the strongest aspects of the series” instead of establishing its own unique identity. Additionally, Mark McPherson comments that as the story progresses, the thematic elements become less prominent and certain fanservice moments seem somewhat inappropriate or outdated.

In the end, critic Rob Dean believed that the sense of nostalgia and a seemingly contentious finale tarnished what could have been an exceptionally frightening and commendable Alien encounter.

“Alien Romulus: An Impressive Start but a Disappointing Finish”

Under the direction of Fede Álvarez, the film titled “Alien: Romulus” features Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla), David Jonsson (known for Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy), Archie Renaux (famous for Shadow and Bone), Isabela Merced (renowned from The Last of Us), Spike Fearn (noted in Aftersun), and Aileen Wu. For more information about the plot of “Alien: Romulus“, please refer to the official synopsis provided below.

In the forgotten corners of an abandoned space station, a band of youthful space settlers stumble upon the scariest creature the cosmos has ever known.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the eagerly anticipated film “Alien: Romulus” is set to hit the big screen on August 16, 2024, courtesy of 20th Century Studios. So, if you’re as excited as I am, don’t forget to mark your calendars! And for a sneak peek at early reactions, take a look below!

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2024-08-13 16:01