'Alien: Romulus' Review: Latest addition to franchise is a bold yet bumpy ride back to its roots
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: If you are a die-hard fan of the 'Alien' franchise, the setting of 'Alien: Romulus' will feel familiar, invoking a sense of nostalgia while Fede Álvarez attempts to bring his own flavors as well. Fede Álvarez, known for directing 2013 film 'Evil Dead', steers 'Alien: Romulus' back to its original setting, to capture the essence of OG film of the franchise.
The film revolves around a group of young space colonists but primarily focuses on Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and her synthetic brother Andy (David Jonsson). The standalone interquel is set between the events of 'Alien' (1979) and 'Aliens' (1986), recreating the eerie atmosphere and industrial aesthetic of both films.
'Alien: Romulus' clings to the past too tightly
Resemblance to the OG 'Alien' movie might be perceived as a good thing for some of the viewers. But it hasn't worked for us. The film relies heavily on familiar concepts and at the same time, it fails to fully utilize the iconic xenomorphs.
Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson deliver solid performances, exhibiting a strong sibling bond, but the characters feel more like archetypes than fully fleshed-out people.
The pacing of the film feels rushed. The backdrop of the mining planet has been richly detailed but the film doesn't spend enough time there. It relies too heavily on tension and release rather than atmosphere and character building. Some characters feel like they're just there to be killed off.
'Alien: Romulus' is better than most films of the franchise
'Alien: Romulus' is undoubtedly Álvarez's love letter to the classic. He plays safe to please the fans of the franchise. But that doesn't work in today's day and age. The filmmaker could have utilized this opportunity to forge a new path for the franchise especially after it delivered back-to-back horrendous instalments including 'AVPR' and 'Covenant'.
However, despite all the flaws, this latest addition isn't a bad film to watch, especially if you are a follower of the franchise or love the sci-fi horror kind of films once in a while. It may not be as good as Ridley Scott and James Cameron's’ ‘Alien’ movies, but it is a significant improvement over some of the weaker entries in the series.
It is fun and creepy with some rushed moments of panic and shock. A surprise guest appearance by a character from an early 'Alien' film is a cherry on top. If you are a fan of the series, you can consider booking a ticket for this suspenseful ride. But for those looking for something new and innovative might be disappointed.
The film releases in theaters in the United States on Friday, August 16