As a seasoned gamer and die-hard Alien fan with over two decades under my belt, I can confidently say that Alien: Romulus has successfully managed to transport me back to the terrifying world of the Sevastopol space station, all thanks to its clever homage to Alien: Isolation.
2024’s “Romulus” has been a film that, while not achieving Marvel-like box office success, has consistently performed well financially for over a week. The meticulousness of co-writer/director Fede Álvarez is one reason this addition to the “Alien” movie series has been so satisfying for viewers, garnering praise from fans and newcomers alike.
A portion of the details were a nod to the beloved video game “Alien: Isolation,” emphasizing certain action sequences. This was verified by Galo Olivares, the director of photography for “Alien: Romulus,” in an interview with Variety.
Referencing the director of films like “Don’t Breathe” and “Evil Dead” who has a fondness for Sega and Creative Assembly’s 2014 game, Olivares highlighted how this interest manifested in the gruesome movie he created:
Fede was captivated by it, so we collected numerous items from there since it’s simply fantastic – the enigma. At one stage in the movie, you almost get the sense of being immersed in a video game, experiencing that first-person perspective, feeling lost within the game, it’s precisely that sensation.
In the sequence between “Alien: Romulus” and “Aliens,” the thrilling journey of “Alien: Isolation” centers around Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda. As her mother is adrift in space within cryosleep, the hunt for her whereabouts takes her to a star-crossed space station, which turns out to be a living nightmare among the celestial bodies.
Step into my gaming world: Here come the Facehuggers, ruthless robots, and a nuclear reactor on the brink of critical mass – ready to save the universe. This lineup could be the foundation for any top-tier sci-fi flick, but the Alien series consistently breathes new life into those elements, keeping audiences hooked as each new installment expands the cinematic lore.
Similar to the subtle Easter egg in the form of Romulus, which resembles Sigourney Weaver from Alien: Isolation, the movie incorporates several deliberate references to Isolation. These include specific switches, weapons, levers, as well as the save point phone consoles from Alien: Isolation, all of which contribute to the central setting of the Renaissance space station. Additionally, the headsets worn by Cailee Spaeny and her fellow actors resemble the one used by Amanda in Alien: Isolation for coordinating with other survivors.
Aside from the symbolic elements added, there are undeniably some sequences that embody the exhilarating first-person perspective. One sequence in particular, where the characters from Alien: Romulus tread carefully through a corridor swarming with Facehuggers, feels like a real-life stealth operation unfolding.
People who have experienced ‘Isolation’ would agree that having stealth skills is essential within the environment of the Sevastapol space station. Without such skills, a nearby Working Joe synthetic or even an approaching Xenomorph could potentially eliminate you just as easily.
In my opinion, viewers who have seen the thrilling conclusion of “Alien: Romulus” might concur that there’s one particular scene in the climax that perfectly encapsulates the first-person horror genre. To add a touch more intrigue, this moment is incredibly intense and immediate, resembling a shocking jump scare so startling that it may cause some to pause the film after witnessing it.
If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush that mimics being truly terrified in the vastness of space, the movie “Alien: Romulus” continues to deliver that thrill in cinemas at present. For those eager to revisit the chilling past of the “Alien” series, a Hulu subscription might be all you need. That’s because Hulu is currently streaming every significant entry in the “Alien” franchise, taking you back to the heart of the action.
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2024-08-27 04:38