As a film enthusiast and a student of cinema history, I find myself deeply moved by Fede Alvarez’s journey with “Alien: Romulus.” His dedication to honoring the legacy of the original “Alien” films while simultaneously making them relevant for a new generation is nothing short of inspiring.
Fede Álvarez understands that there’s a thin line between an homage, a follow-up and a rip-off.
His initial movie, a reimagining of Sam Raimi’s “The Evil Dead,” emphasized the intense horror seen in the 1981 low-budget version over its funnier 1986 precursor, giving new life to the series. Following this, he created his own franchise with “Don’t Breathe,” and later co-wrote and directed “The Girl in the Spider’s Web,” a sequel to David Fincher’s “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” Although this film didn’t achieve the same level of success as its predecessors or Fincher’s work, it solidified his reputation as a versatile director who can infuse a movie with unique character while staying within studio limitations.
Álvarez utilizes his abilities in the creation of “Alien: Romulus,” the seventh movie in the Alien series, steering clear of pitting xenomorphs against Predators. In a franchise characterized more by prequels, offshoots, and side missions rather than a straightforward narrative, this film is set around two decades following the events from Ridley Scott’s initial film, making it even further in the future compared to James Cameron’s sequel.
As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at Álvarez’s ability to blend the visual styles of Ridley Scott and James Cameron, all while crafting a storyline that feels fresh and contemporary. The font used in the credits and the technology wielded by the characters are nods to long-time “Alien” aficionados, but the youthful cast and measured pace will draw in newcomers. Striking this balance was something I learned he could do from his past work.
Álvarez points out that the various easter eggs in the movie should be implemented without causing harm. Translated, this means, ‘If you recognize it, you’ll get it.’ He hopes younger audiences, such as twentysomethings and teenagers, will find it intriguing when they say, “This doesn’t resemble the movies I watched last week. It has a unique feel.” These sorts of anachronisms aren’t novel, but he recalls the thrill of discovering them while becoming a film enthusiast himself.
“Reflecting on my experience watching ‘Pulp Fiction’, I found myself asking, ‘What kind of universe is this?’ My dad responded casually, ‘It’s just an exploitation film from the 60s. So what makes it special?’ At that time, I hadn’t encountered many films like that, making it feel fresh, edgy, and contemporary. That’s the vibe ‘Alien: Romulus’ gives off for a new generation – a blend of timeless elements with the most compelling aspects of today.”
Initially planned for streaming on Hulu in 2022, “Alien: Romulus” was later set to premiere in theaters on August 16. Álvarez reveals that the original intention, agreed upon in 2021, arose due to the absence of theaters, a situation not caused by limited studio thinking but rather as a result of pandemic-induced closure.
“He stated that the decision wasn’t made when theaters were thriving, but rather it was a challenging choice from the start for a streaming platform. As expected, this forward-thinking approach resulted in distributor 20th Century Studios altering their plans to release the movie in theaters, a move that Álvarez recalls inspired his team.”
He recalls telling everyone that the movie would be in theaters, and there was a great deal of excitement in response. “Wow,” he exclaimed, “even the head electrician seems excited about it hitting the big screen!”
With Rodo Sayagues, his partner in “Evil Dead” and “Don’t Breathe” productions, Álvarez embarked on this project with the aim of merging the intricate and cumbersome lore of the franchise. Jokingly, he expressed that they wanted this film to serve as the unifying force, like the ‘One Ring’ from “The Lord of the Rings” movies. He explains, “That’s why I didn’t want to follow the trend that says, ‘Just these characters are significant.’ I think that’s disregarding the hard work of the directors who contributed to those other films. So I decided, ‘We have to acknowledge them all.'”
Álvarez openly acknowledges that his interpretation and explanation of each film were influenced by a deep-rooted fondness for them, even those not as popular. Recalling the studio’s initial doubts, he asserted his affection for every one of them, saying, “Yes, I genuinely love them all.”
He remarks that even the movies that didn’t quite resonate with him were still enjoyable in the theater, more so than some ordinary films. In contrast to most movies, which he feels are quickly forgotten, these ones required engagement and a personal connection for him.
Regardless, Álvarez maintains that his intention wasn’t merely to carry on (or even imitate) the aesthetic, mood, or tempo found in the “Alien” films that served as such a rich source of inspiration for him. Instead, he sought to create something unique and distinct.
“He explains that his aim wasn’t just to replicate the aesthetic, but to capture the emotions those films evoked in him during their initial viewing. Over time, people often analyze what they believe made something exceptional, but sometimes they’re mistaken. Instead of focusing on highbrow themes, they tend to say, ‘It was about this profound subject…’, but when you’re 13, you’re more drawn to the action elements like guns, explosions, and violence.”
The lesson he gained was from his reimagining of Raimi’s classic horror staple, “Evil Dead”. Instead of merely recreating the film, as many had attempted before, he aimed to recreate the overall experience for the audience. He explains that while vintage items like a dusty helmet or old computer monitor might stir fond memories in veteran “Alien” fans, mimicking such recognizable elements is more of a stepping stone than a final goal in his quest to create an exciting movie. His hope is that this new film will inspire the younger generation to appreciate why “Alien” remains both cool and terrifying.
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but feel humbled by the prospect of contributing to the legacy of “Alien: Romulus.” However, I’m hesitant to bask in any accolades or recognition that might come my way. Instead, I believe the credit should go to the original films. My role, I feel, is simply to share the awe-inspiring quality of those movies and the mind-blowing ideas they presented.
“That’s the insanity in me — that I just want to prove a point to the new generation.”
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2024-08-16 02:18