Summary
- The
Alien
franchise struggled after the first two films for many reasons, including an over-reliance on CGI and significant tonal shifts. - Prometheus
and
Covenant
diverted from core
Alien
elements fans loved, leading to mixed reviews. - Fans hope
Alien: Romulus
will return to classic franchise elements for a successful installment.
As a die-hard fan of the original Alien series since its inception back in the late ’70s, I’ve been through the highs and lows with this franchise. The first two movies were like nothing I had ever seen before – they were terrifying, suspenseful, and filled with jaw-dropping action that left me on the edge of my seat. The Xenomorphs themselves were a sight to behold, a relentless killing machine that struck fear into the heart of every viewer.
The film titled Alien: Romulus faces a significant challenge as it prepares to join the ranks of the iconic science fiction franchise. It remains uncertain whether it will be remembered as one of the failures or as one of the enduring classics, comparable to Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking 1979 film Alien or James Cameron’s critically acclaimed sequel, Aliens. However, it is clear that when these films were initially released, they sparked one of the most respected movie franchises to emerge from that era – a franchise that continues to thrive and captivate new audiences daily through streaming platforms.
Although not every Alien movie met with universal acclaim, the first two installments undeniably set a high standard for all subsequent films in the series. The memorable acting in Alien and the groundbreaking special effects in Aliens have yet to be matched by any other film within the franchise. Regrettably, even when Ridley Scott himself returned to direct Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, these releases failed to live up to their hype and left fans slightly underwhelmed.
Despite Scott having a history of underperforming sequels, there was hope that he could breathe new life into the franchise. Following the mediocre David Fincher-directed “Alien 3”, forgettable films like “Alien: Resurrection”, “Alien vs. Predator” and the disastrous “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem”, fans were eagerly anticipating a superior sequel. However, both “Prometheus” and “Covenant” fell short of expectations, making it crucial to understand why in order to determine if Fede Álvarez’s “Alien: Romulus” will be well-received by the audience.
Some Alien Films Had an Over-Reliance on CGI
When “Alien” and “Aliens” hit the screens, there was an undeniably high quality feel to both movies. The first one was revolutionary and masterfully terrifying, introducing a fresh, fearsome monster while concurrently launching a new sci-fi legend through Sigourney Weaver’s mesmerizing portrayal of Ripley. Despite the original film maintaining its position among the greatest sci-fi movies, 1986 brought us “Aliens”, which many believe surpassed its predecessor in quality.
Initially, the first two movies established memorable imagery and set a benchmark that later installments in the series have struggled to meet. Although the third film had its merits, subsequent sequels seemed to decline in quality and execution over time, with a noticeable increase in tackiness due to excessive use of CGI. These later films fell short compared to the original movies, which achieved intense atmospheres by employing practical effects instead.
The Alien Franchise Became Less Serious
The unique charm of the first two Alien films lies in their ability to establish a self-sustaining franchise, which continues to be appreciated as cinematic masterpieces even today, earning them Academy Awards. Yet, despite the critical acclaim and recognition they deservedly received, by the early 2000s, the series began to lose its luster with the introduction of low-budget, commercially-driven spin-offs such as the Alien vs. Predator debacles.
Initially, viewers who watched the first two Alien films upon their release wouldn’t have envisioned a Xenomorph sharing screen time with another alien, especially one as flashy as the Predator. Introducing such creatures into the series felt like a departure from the original serious and exceptional movies they were renowned for. After Alien: Resurrection nearly destroyed the franchise, it fell quiet for some time. It was apparent that adjustments needed to be made, and the return of Ridley Scott for 2012’s Prometheus seemed like the perfect solution to get things back on course. Unfortunately, what followed were a series of fresh mistakes that left fans even more disillusioned than before.
The Problem with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant
Although the legendary Greek mythological figure Prometheus was well-known for challenging Zeus and stealing fire from the divine beings, Alien: Prometheus was notorious for going against the expectations and preferences of the Alien franchise’s devoted fans. The initial two Alien films garnered praise due to their advanced AI androids, futuristic technology, sleek spaceships, and more. Yet, this didn’t diminish fans’ enjoyment of the action, thrills, suspense, and gory scenes. In fact, the Xenomorph sequences were often the most memorable parts for viewers, regardless of how compelling the other narrative elements may have been.
Though both films, Prometheus and to some degree Alien: Covenant, arrived at a time when fans were eagerly anticipating fresh installments of the Alien series, they deviated significantly from the elements that had initially captivated fans – primarily the terrifying alien creatures and their relentless nature. Instead, these movies, particularly Prometheus, focused heavily on complex narratives exploring deep philosophical and existential themes about life and humanity, but failed to provide satisfying answers or resolutions to these questions.
A significant portion of the criticism leveled at Prometheus was encapsulated in David DiSalvo’s critique of the movie, as published in Forbes.
“Scott’s newest movie, titled Prometheus, unveils a 33-year-old enigma, and what emerges is genuinely chilling: an empty prequel to the series he initiated, disguised as a film exploring the cosmic beginnings of mankind. What was marketed as the next groundbreaking sci-fi classic turns out to be a shameless imitation of other films, and it appears that the creators of this movie underestimate our intelligence.”
Fans Hope to See Better From Alien: Romulus
The movies displayed abrupt changes in mood, as Covenant aimed to revisit the science fiction-horror genre, yet failed to execute this effectively, leaving it somewhat ambiguous between genres. It strove to return to the essential horror aspects and brutal alien attacks, but also tried to maintain a refined tone similar to that of Prometheus , which seemed like a half-hearted effort to retain its appeal among the small group of intellectuals who appreciated such a sophisticated style, though they may not have been diehard fans since the beginning of the franchise.
Although Prometheus and Covenant weren’t poor films by any means, they fell short of delivering the Xenomorph action that fans craved for, offering more philosophical explorations instead. Nonetheless, Michael Fassbender’s impressive acting kept the audience engaged through those aspects. Regrettably, neither film managed to include enough classic elements or a character worthy of filling Ripley’s role, leaving many feeling underwhelmed. With Alien: Romulus hitting theaters soon, longtime fans eagerly await a reconnection with the elements that initially captivated and defined the iconic sci-fi franchise.
The upcoming Alien film, titled “Alien: Romulus,” set to release in theaters on August 16, 2024, aspires to deliver a terrifying horror experience with realistic CGI and a serious approach to the Xenomorphs. However, whether the audience will embrace this new chapter remains to be seen.
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2024-08-16 00:32