My main alien films are still the original trilogy, perfection, that's the core alien experience for me.
However, as redundant story wise as it is, I really like Alien Resurrection.
I view Alien Resurrection the same way I view a fun but flawed comic book. I don't take it too seriously and I enjoy it for what it is.
Visually:
Alien Resurrection has absolutely amazing production values, and absolutely gorgeous cinematography, perhaps....even the best in the series? I would say the original ALIEN 1979 is the most beautiful move but just look at these shots!
Jean-Pierre Jeunet and his usual crew really elevated this movie visually. I particularly like the opening credits, really atmospheric.
Story and execution:
First of, the pacing is just excellent, the movie just flows really well. The story, admittedly redundant, comes off as a pretty straightforward simple story, yet DOES explore new territory. We DO get to see the Aliens finally in the hands off a military force, we DO get that Alien-Human hybrid (that seems so inevitable) in the form of Ripley and the Newborn.
Cast:
Alien Resurrection has a very interesting cast, Michael Wincott specifically was really charismatic and died way too soon. Ron Perlman played his part really well. The scientists work really well for me too. Brad Dourif is terrifically insane and in love with the aliens (relatable).
J.E. Freeman as Wren, I LOVE his line in the special edition "A parasite!, a foreign element" So incredibly inhumane, yet very scientifically correct. Sigourney Weaver returns again, now in her early 40s, and to give her us her most "sexiest" performance yet. She tries to pull a bit of Michelle Pfeifer ala Catwoman. And she delivers! (and that basketball sequence was awesome, admit it)
It´s also one of the few movies that actually feature a wheelchair-bound person, even features him in action scenes, and has him live throughout the end!
Design:
The AR Aliens are pretty disliked on these boards. I prefer the classic aliens myself, but these designs are very cool in their own right. I think the Alien Resurrection Warriors are ADI´s best work in terms of suits. It's a very stylized and ambitious design. probably heavily inspired by the way Chris Cunningham and Simon Bisley drew their aliens at the time.
The Newborn is perhaps the most hated alien creature to date, I think its only real mistake design-wise was the eyes, it should have been eyeless. Other than that, I think it looks like what a hybrid creature ought to. and the actual execution of the special effects was VERY good (hole-sucking scene excluded) the rest of the bestiary is fine, the eggs, Facehuggers queen, and Chestbursters looks great.
The film only features two spaceships, but I really dig the design of the betty,
Final Notes,
Being an ALIEN film is both its biggest strength and its biggest flaw. If this was its own thing and not a part of the Alien franchise I bet this would be a full-on cult classic, an essential 90s sci-fi action movie. However, being the high-concept sci-fi action movie that it is, yet also features my favourite movie monster, AND Sigourney Weaver, well shit, that's awesome. Yes, yes, the breathalizer door access system is absolutely laughable, the newborn is ugly, and Dan Hedaya had very hairy shoulders.
But disregarding this film as a bad/shit movie just for being the worst alien film is just a shame, it got so much good going for it.
