As soon as the credits rolled on Aliens I think the financiers and studios knew there would be a third film, with the clear box office success that would follow as well as entering the era of tying up loose ends, it was a foregone conclusion. With Ripley, Hicks, Bishop and Newt in stasis heading back to Earth there is no way it would be left as that, after all, the evil Weyland Corp was still running the show and if there was a chance to obtain a Xenomorph then by jove there would be a third film.
With any trilogy, writers and directors have a duty to ensure the lasting legacy of the previous films. No matter my views on Aliens it was a box office hit, both films were Oscar winners and had multiple Oscar nominations. Not many trilogies can boast of that accolade nor heap a greater responsibility and pressure on its creators. Taking that into account, do we need to view in context whether Alien3 lives up to those expectations, or should it be a given that it should live up to its predecessors standards?
Looking at it through the tint of context, I actually think this is an extremely good film that just wasn't executed quite well enough. The story is clever, subtle and a welcome return to the intelligent thinking of the first. How the whole story is rounded off and concluded is also a very fitting homage to all the cast, characters and history of the tale. The running theme of standing up to the corporation throughout continues, with the final middle finger salute from characters who had been considered expendable throughout. Take away the tint, and I have to be honest and say it really doesn't live up to the standard set by the previous two. Yes the story is still clever, yes it's a good twist in the tale and a good send off story wise, but the execution just lets it down as part of the Alien Trilogy. There was a lot of conflict surrounding the making of this film, the director didn't even take part in the final edit, which could be one of the overriding causes.
'There's nothing "for sure" in this place' - Dillon (Charles S Dutton)
The introduction to the story is once again where we left Ripley, in stasis, heading back to Earth. An onboard fire interrupts this journey causing the stasis pods to be transferred into the life craft and ejected to the nearest planet, a penal colony, controlled by none other than Weyland Corp, or Weyland-Yutani Corporation as it is now known. The issue with the opening montage is the obvious glimpses of an alien stowed away on board, the lack of subtlety just ruins any initial anticipation of how the writers would write the Xenomorphs back into this timeline.
The crash-landing onto Fiorina 'Fury' 161 results in the rescue of Ripley from washed up shore and the recovery of the wreckage. Alas all other occupants of the lifeboat perished in the crash, Hicks impaled, Bishop in pieces and Newt who drowned in the stasis chamber. A lone woman arriving on a planet that houses the remaining 27 male inmates of the Fury penal colony, inmates convicted of rape and mass murder. The colony is a rundown, crumbling and technologically ancient mining colony where the remaining inmates, left to rot by the corporation, have turned to God to see them through to their final days. No way off the planet and with no weapons they have no choice but to wait for Weyland-Yutani to arrive and collect Lt Ripley.
'Don't be afraid, I'm part of the family' - Ripley (Sigourney Weaver)
As I said, the story is clever and with the change in scenario of having literally no weapons there was the opportunity to write a story that stands out from the crowd. Whilst all seems well and it's just a matter of waiting, Ripley requests to see the recovered wreckage. The first alarm bells ring when she sees an acid burn on Newts stasis pod alluding to the fact there must have been an unwelcome guest onboard prior to the crash. Along with the doctor they confirm Newt was not used as an incubator and at the same time two inmates discover a face hugger whilst bringing a dead cow into the facility. The introduction of the Xenomorph into the now secured facility leads to the familiar death and carnage and the continued discovery that the corporation doesn't care about anything other than the alien species. Where the film fails at this point, is that there is no genetic crossover with the host. Zero aspects of the cow have entered into the genetic chain that creates this current breed of the Xenomorph. Its a small point but it can be the small ones added together that can affect your outlook on the entire movie.
What follows is a more basic approach of combatting the threat than we saw in the previous two films. There are new dynamics brought into play, different relationships, thinking outside the box and a twist, that you may or may not work out before it becomes clear, these are all the aspects that are great with this instalment of the Alien Saga.
'Here, kitty, kitty, kitty!' - David (Pete Postlethwaite)
I seem like a stuck record when it comes to Sigourney Weaver's performances as Lt Ripley and her performance here is once again incredible. I grant you, any actor playing the same role over and over again will of course help with the level of acting; it will become almost second nature, a part of yourself as your personality but Weaver brings in the different nuances and reactions that are a result of the trauma she has faced. When you watch the films back to back it strikes you how subtle and amazing these changes are. In this instalment Lt Ripley is pretty much hardened to her own safety, her only focus is saving humanity and ensuring the alien parasite doesn't make it in to the hands of the Corporation and back to Earth.
Thankfully the casting is a return to the standards of Alien, the return to proven actors rather than big names. Rather than in your face, over the top Hollywood, we have classically trained, reserved actors who you would only know from obscure television or the odd film here or there. It is another aspect that glosses over the cracks in the script and the flow of the film, it's one of the redeemable factors that you can take into account when watching. In my opinion one of the standout cast members is Paul McGann who plays Golic, a mentally unhinged inmate who everyone shuns and dismisses as just being crazy, bringing a scary air of believability to the performance in both the sane and insane moments.
'In an insane world, a sane man must appear insane' - Golic (Paul McGann)
The rest of the cast are adequate to great in their roles. Charles Dance as the medical officer and confidante of Ripley, Ralph Brown as the IQ challenged prison guard and second in command, play alongside an ensemble of British actors as the inmates. As I said, as a collective the cast are one of the shining lights of this film and I find it hard to pick apart any of the acting from any of the cast.
The action is not as fast paced as Aliens and returns to the more gradual suspense, gore and horror feel of the first film. With that however, comes a marked dip in the special effects and the set designs, this added to the less than impressive script, contribute towards the overall negative impression you are left with. There are other issues with the film that I can't quite put my finger on; it just doesn't have the wow factor and even with the subtle intelligence and clever elements of the story it is still found lacking, but it is more than the elements I have mentioned.
'We waste this thing, then you take care of me' - Ripley (Sigourney Weaver)
The way the film comes to its close is probably one of the best but poorly executed ideas of the story. The twist and the finality of it provide one of the most satisfying ends to a Trilogy story that I have watched. It's not tainted with the happy, riding into the sunset bullshit, but it does bring all the threads together in such a way that makes you have to appreciate it.
So we come to my views on this film, the point where I once again will annoy a lot of Alien Saga fans. At no point would I say this is the best Alien film, nor would I with hand on heart say it is better than Aliens. If you have read my previous reviews you will understand, I have very unique views that I am not afraid to stand behind and with Alien3 there are no exceptions to this. Personally I think the boldness and intelligence of the story, the understated quality of the acting, the use of action, gore and horror all add to the soft spot I have for it. Personally I enjoy this instalment the most, not because of its qualities as a piece of cinema but because all these small aspects appeal to what it is I love about film.
So yes, I know this isn't the best film of the Saga but it I will stand by my statement, this is my favourite to watch, the one I enjoy watching.
Farquaads Score: 4 stars or 8/10
IMDB: 6.5/10 (260,921)
Metascore: 59 (20 Critic Reviews)
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