ALIEN quadrilogy

[FreddysFingers]

I can agree to that.

[Caftan King]

Im sorry but quite frankly Alien: Resurrection is a mess but... in a different way. Of course, the whole "resurrection" concept is ridiculous but I could forgive the writers because there was no other way to continue the series with Ripley included. What struck me the most is how little I remembered from this bad ass film, even though my previous viewing was more recent than the other films. In fact, it has about only two or maybe three memorable scenes and about two memorable characters. The rest is forgettable... sigh:reddisgust:

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]And also I remember that when my niece was convincing me if she can watch this movie. I yelled to her SAYING "NO!" ...Why? because I really wouldn't let a child younger than 16 watch it! Not only for the violence, but there are several adult themes, as well as liberal use of the 'fuck' word.[/COLOR]

[BGTNJeff]

Remember though, Alien: Resurrection is a French film, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. There are many ways it goes against our sensibilities, especially within the boundaries of an established, beloved franchise. The cloning, the swimming Aliens, Winona Ryder, all these things are foreign to us. It is less an Alien sequel and more CITY OF LOST RIPLEYS.

[Bojangles]

Remember though, Alien: Resurrection is a French film, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. There are many ways it goes against our sensibilities, especially within the boundaries of an established, beloved franchise. The cloning, the swimming Aliens, Winona Ryder, all these things are foreign to us. It is less an Alien sequel and more CITY OF LOST RIPLEYS.

God, I hate that bitch.

[BGTNJeff]

Who, Bo?



Who do you hate?



How come?

[Caftan King]

[COLOR="Yellow"]I agree Jeff... Some things in the film are really foreign to me. And not just foreign... they are unbelievable! I feel this movie is too cool, artificial and fast-paced. You cannot convey to the audience that what you see on the screen is really happening if things go much faster than in reality... which is really bad since suspense cannot really be created if you do not feel it could really happen.

Now about the french director, well... I think A:R really had a great director. First off J P Jeunet is an awesome director you need only see Amelie to recognize that, but he is most to blame for this franchise killer of a movie. His style just doesn't suit this kind of action filled popcorn cinema :popcorn2: and coupled with some worse casting choices and a mediocre storyline... this really is poor.
[/COLOR]

[FreddysFingers]

I have to agree with Caftan King. It seems too 'artificial.' I think that Resurrection was the 'shark jumping' moment in the Alien franchise. The first one established this eerie, almost haunted house like atmosphere and the second one was all that plus a little action. The ones proceeded that seemed like a whole other ballgame. To me, it's not just that the film is a mess but in tone, it doesn't match with the rest.

[Caftan King]

I agree Freddy! Alien: Resurrection is much different than classical Aliens. And thats the reason why many alien maniacs are so disappointed. In my opinion one should look at the movie in a different way. It is not a clear continuation of the story, but rather a variation on the subject.

[BGTNJeff]

I'm grateful to Caftan and Freddy for going after me on that one because it extends the conversation.

So let's compare.
ALIEN had a very cool, sterile almost Kubrick-like atmosphere.
Cameron's ALIENS had a total action/TERMINATOR vibe.
Fincher's ALIEN3 was gritty and grimy; you wanted to shower right after watching it.
And ALIEN: RESURRECTION doesn't feel like an ALIEN movie at all.
Am I right so far?

Overall, and I mean for the entire franchise, which movie had the best feel for the concept?

[Caftan King]

[COLOR="Pink"]Okay in in Alien 1 & 2 Ripley was scared as hell and so were we. In Alien 3 she wasn't scared as much, as she knew from a point, that the Alien wouldn't kill her. We were not scared that much either. While A:R is not scary at all...

So.... I think the first two films had the best feel for the concept.[/COLOR]

[FreddysFingers]

In terms of horror I felt like Alien accomplished what it set out to do. The first was a horror movie, it was a slasher in space. It was frightening, it was surreal, it had imagery that was so twisted it felt like a nightmare and it had a powerful atmosphere. The middle two were just action movies. I enjoyed Fincher's version and it did feel grimy. The last one, it felt like The Fifth Element or something... just way out there.

[Caftan King]

In terms of horror I felt like Alien accomplished what it set out to do. The first was a horror movie, it was a slasher in space. It was frightening, it was surreal, it had imagery that was so twisted it felt like a nightmare and it had a powerful atmosphere.

Well yes I agree... The first movie is a horror movie and it introduces the ingenious concept of the extraterrestrial species and then ramps up the terror right until the final scene. I almost forgot how scared I could get from watching a film, but re-watching the first Alien movie reminded me how unscary most recent horror films are.

The middle two were just action movies.

[COLOR="Green"]I think Alien 2 is also has horror, but focuses on action. It also ramps up this action steadily in such a brilliant way that every second of the film is thrilling. Watching Aliens again was just as thrilling as the film that debuted these outer-space shockers. I think films that can do that are rare.

While Alien 3 still had some thrilling scenes, I think it became a foreboding drama.It's way too obvious that there have been problems with the script and the directors. But in the end Alien 3 is not awful. It has a unique atmosphere and some memorable scenes. [/COLOR]

The last one, it felt like The Fifth Element or something

Alien 4 is ,,,, uhmmmm... I think that it wasn't supposed to be very scary.

[FreddysFingers]

I haven't seen Alien 3 in a while so I can't really comment but as far as Aliens goes... it's a stark action movie with horror elements, respectively to Alien. That scene where the aliens on right on top of them and they can't see them really use to get under my skin. In addition, it's such a perfect blend of horror and action that I haven't seen it done so greatly since. Or perhaps I am missing one or two. The idea of Alien 4 was great but I think it could have been a great medical science horror film had it been written the right way. The direction was fine.

[Caftan King]

[COLOR="Plum"]Aaaww... you havent seen it... well I also think it has a mess.. but it is more watchable than the the fourth movie. The fact that they obviously got rid of most of the characters that survived from Alien 3 is jarring. One of the biggest problems is that it has almost no characters to care about except Ripley. The only other interesting character is abruptly killed half-way the film.
[/COLOR]

[FreddysFingers]

I can agree with your point about Alien 3. From what I remember, it was jarring when we find out that most of the characters from the previous film were dead. Also, I think the character you were talking about that was killed half way was the doctor(?). Not sure but I was a little miffed that he was cut off so quickly. From what I remember, there was a chase sequence with a dog-like alien that I enjoyed but the rest was eh.

[BGTNJeff]

ALIEN3 has a serious mean streak to it. That's part of why I enjoy it so. It's nasty, grimy and the cast look like sooty Victorian sex offenders. The movie has an attitude that matches the attitude of the monster: fast, mean and ruthless.
It may lack the fine polish of the first film, and it certainly lacks the jingoism of Cameron's film, and it is far superior to the fourth film (but I think we've established that so is having a root canal), but ALIEN3 has slowly become my favorite of the series. It's got balls.

[NicoleMayCanaday]

Well said Jeff!
My fav lol....."Sooty Victorian sex offenders"
Definetly don't wanna leave your 12 yr old niece on that planet.

[Caftan King]

I can agree with your point about Alien 3. From what I remember, it was jarring when we find out that most of the characters from the previous film were dead. Also, I think the character you were talking about that was killed half way was the doctor(?). Not sure but I was a little miffed that he was cut off so quickly. From what I remember, there was a chase sequence with a dog-like alien that I enjoyed but the rest was eh.

[COLOR="DarkSlateBlue"]
Awwww... oh yes the dog Alien! It is the new additional alien in the film right, ( though makes you wonder what the Alien from the space jocks (Alien 1) looks like...), yes they are enjoyable but at the same time this is so insignificant for me. So we're stuck with a been-there-done-that monster-chasing-victims movie. Still that scene with the dog alien is fun..[/COLOR]

[FreddysFingers]

ALIEN3 has a serious mean streak to it. That's part of why I enjoy it so. It's nasty, grimy and the cast look like sooty Victorian sex offenders. The movie has an attitude that matches the attitude of the monster: fast, mean and ruthless.
It may lack the fine polish of the first film, and it certainly lacks the jingoism of Cameron's film, and it is far superior to the fourth film (but I think we've established that so is having a root canal), but ALIEN3 has slowly become my favorite of the series. It's got balls.

Again, I may need to watch it again but it left me thinking that it was average. It's vastly superior to Alien 4 but I only think that way because I didn't like Alien 4. I remember it being gritty but I won't know until I watch it again. I will always love the first because it's truly scary.

[COLOR="DarkSlateBlue"]
Awwww... oh yes the dog Alien! It is the new additional alien in the film right, ( though makes you wonder what the Alien from the space jocks (Alien 1) looks like...), yes they are enjoyable but at the same time this is so insignificant for me. So we're stuck with a been-there-done-that monster-chasing-victims movie. Still that scene with the dog alien is fun..[/COLOR]

I think the reason for giving the alien the ability to take on the shape of whatever it is cloned or spliced with, and the action of cloning/splicing, is because they needed to give the Xenomoprh more character. They needed a monster that was new. Personally, it was new in terms of looks but not so much in the mannerisms. Alien 3 could have been the end of the series and Resurrection could have been it's own movie if they tried.

[mytee]

I personally only liked the first two movies after that I dont know but the first one was downright scary and I enjoyed the second one alot