By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review is spoiler-free.
When it comes to the Alien franchise, most people will immediately go to the claustrophobic-horror Alien or the bravado-filled Aliens as the standouts in the series. I am no different in that regard, as I like them both equally. In fact, apart from Alien 3, I have enjoyed all of the films in the franchise – and YES I’m including Alien: Resurrection and Alien: Covenant in that! So I am a fan of the franchise and was always intrigued by all of the noise coming from the production of Alien: Romulus.
Whilst the story has some familiar notes, this is a new and standalone story, with an ever-increasing tension that builds until it boils over in some truly terrifying ways. The characters are well written, especially Rain and Andy, and are crafted with a complex authenticity that excels on the big screen. You will see a lot spoken of the film’s third act, and in terms of the tension and horror, it is outstanding. In terms of “changing the landscape of the franchise” as I’ve seen some people proclaim, I think this is a little exaggerated – see Alien: Resurrection.
In terms of the cast, Cailee Spaeny’s Rain is much more complex than a mere “Ripley” knockoff, with Spaeny showcasing vulnerability and a fierce determination that blend seamlessly together. David Jonsson is the main pick of the bunch, with his performance as Andy. His nuanced approach brought a sense of uniqueness that we haven’t truly experienced in the Alien series before. The youthful supporting cast of Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Aileen Wu and Spike Fearn did a commendable job with some good performances, each bringing something distinctive to their character.
Fede Álvarez was eager to make a return to the old-school approach, and this approach was successful – as the practical effects, combined with the stunning VFX, created a seamless and immersive experience, bringing genuine terror and authenticity to the movie. Galo Olivares’ cinematography is breathtaking, aiding the suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The visual artistry is elevated thanks to Benjamin Wallfisch’s haunting and unnerving score.
As for the negatives, I’ve mentioned the familiar plot notes, but I don’t feel they hinder the movie. However, I will say they use VFX for one character, and when they hide it, it looks good, when they have them front and centre, the fragility of the technology is exposed. But apart from that, Alien: Romulus is a solid movie.
With its incredible practical effects, tension-fueled narrative and stellar cast performances, Alien: Romulus is a triumph of sci-fi horror that catapults the Alien franchise into a whole new galaxy!
X-Geeks 