REVIEW: “Alien: Romulus” (2024)

As a cinephile who’s been following the Alien franchise since its inception, I can confidently say that “Alien: Romulus” is a breath of fresh air in today’s movie landscape. It’s not often we see a director so devoted to preserving the essence of a beloved series while still injecting their unique style. Fede Álvarez has certainly done that with this film, and it’s clear he’s been binge-watching Ridley Scott’s masterpieces on repeat.

These days, as the film industry increasingly leans on established intellectual properties, it’s refreshing to witness a franchise movie truly prove its value beyond mere financial success. To be clear, “Alien: Romulus” is projected to have a robust opening weekend at the box office. However, what makes this film particularly intriguing is the way director and co-writer Fede Álvarez reconnects with the roots of the franchise. The influence of his work in movies like “Evil Dead” (2013) and “Don’t Breathe” (2016) is evident, but it’s his obvious respect for the original “Alien” films that makes this film a real delight.

“Alien: Romulus” is the seventh film in a well-known science fiction horror series that has been around for a long time. The story, penned by Álvarez and his frequent writing partner Rodo Sayagues, unfolds between the events of Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking 1979 film “Alien” and James Cameron’s equally impressive 1986 sequel “Aliens”. Although it doesn’t directly follow the plots of these movies, “Romulus” complements both in terms of style, atmosphere, and quality.

As a passionate cinephile, I found “Romulus” to be a masterfully crafted tale that harks back to the essence of the original “Alien.” Similar to its predecessor, this film excels by focusing on a limited cast, a claustrophobic environment, and an ominous, unknown terror. Director Álvarez expertly employs this timeless formula within this franchise. Although “Romulus” may not offer groundbreaking revelations or take the franchise to unprecedented territories, it undeniably delivers as an exceptional Alien movie.

One point that immediately catches your eye is the captivating appearance and resonance of “Romulus”. While it might sound trite to say so, this film is worth experiencing on a grand scale – it’s almost unthinkable that 20th Century Studios initially planned for a Hulu-only release. The movie showcases an impressive blend of practical and digital effects, boasting breathtaking cinematography by Galo Olivares and production design from Naaman Marshall that could easily earn awards recognition.

In a compelling manner, the story effectively accomplishes all required elements. It gradually unveils its characters, their objectives and driving forces, before thrusting them – as well as us – into a harrowing and engaging ordeal. Álvarez masterfully sets the tone and progressively builds overwhelming suspense towards a shockingly unexpected climax that catches you off guard with an element you least expect.

In terms of the cast and characters, Álvarez assembles a strong collection of actors to portray a team of young space settlers residing on a repressive mining planet owned by a corporation. The group of companions includes Rain Carradine, played by Cailee Spaeny, her android sibling Andy, acted by David Jonsson, Rain’s boyfriend Tyler, Archie Renaux plays this role, Tyler’s sister Kay, portrayed by Isabela Merced, the talkative Bjorn, played by Spike Fearn, and his girlfriend Navarro, who is brought to life by Aileen Wu.

The Weyland-Yutani Corporation, a corporation well-known among Alien fans, manages the mining operation. This company maintains control through coercive labor agreements that bind the workers to their duties. To make matters worse, they restrict travel by denying permits under shifting contract terms, thus trapping their workforce. Disgusted by the tough working conditions, a group of friends vow not to suffer the same fate as their parents who perished in the mines.

Upon learning that an abandoned Weyland spacecraft has entered Earth’s orbit, they devise a scheme: secretly board the deserted station and seize cryo-pods to travel to a distant utopia planet. With their entry, they have just three hours before the station collides with Saturn’s rings and is destroyed completely. However, this timeframe seems manageable until they uncover terrifying secrets. As you might expect, these are not ordinary creatures – xenomorphs.

Spaeny’s stardom is on an upward trajectory, following in the footsteps of other robust female characters in this franchise. However, her background remains largely undisclosed, with most details being revealed through her co-star Andy. Intriguingly, it was Rain’s late father who imbued Andy with a set of corny dad jokes and an unwavering mandate to protect her at all times. Yet, it is Andy’s transformation throughout the movie that captivates us the most, making him the film’s standout character.

“The film ‘Alien: Romulus’ cleverly incorporates intriguing references to its series’ lore, with subtle connections linking back to the original ‘Alien’. The care taken in every detail, from costume design to computer interfaces to the station layout, is evident. Moreover, the alien effects continue to impress, solidifying the xenomorphs as one of cinema’s most chilling creatures. While Álvarez may not introduce revolutionary concepts, his grasp of the intricate mechanics and passion for the IP ensure an electrifying success that caters to every ‘Alien’ enthusiast. ‘Alien: Romulus’ hits theaters today.”

2024-08-16 19:57

REVIEW: “Alien: Romulus” (2024)

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