GRAB YOUR M41A PULSE RIFLE AND LISTEN UP! WE'VE GOT AN EXCITING NEW CHAPTER IN THE ALIEN FRANCHISE.
Alien: Romulus invaded theaters this past weekend and I'm here to give you a spoiler-free review to help you determine whether or not you'll be heading back to the box office for this one. If you do, I recommend the IMAX experience because there's nothing more satisfying than seeing six foot face-huggers lunge all over the place. Now then, let me break it down for all you fans and artificial persons.
WHERE ARE WE IN THE TIMELINE?
The events of Alien: Romulus take place twenty years after the ending of Alien (1979) and thirty-seven years before the events of Aliens (1986). Therefore, it's no spoiler to confirm that Weyland-Yutani Corporation is in business and giving our protagonists plenty to gripe about. A small band of space colonizers wanting more than what their situation offers get more than they bargain for when they happen upon a derelict space hub.
THE LOOK AND THE SOUND OF ALIEN: ROMULUS
Director Fede Alvarez is no stranger to breathing new life into existing franchises (Alvarez directed reboot/sequels for The Evil Dead and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo). With Alien: Romulus, he creates a world that visually fits right in with the infrastructure, technology, and weaponry that Ridley Scott and James Cameron offered us with their films. Everything, including clothing, looks weathered and dirty, adding to its realism. Eagle-eyed fans will catch one or two nods to brand recognition, which certainly put a smile on my face.
The ominous sounds of Hypersleep Chambers, and text scrolling across computer monitors pulls you right into the environment, while the hiss of a xenomorph, and burst of a pulse rifle in Dolby Atmos is worth the money of the ticket alone. The score, composed by Benjamin Wallfisch, relies heavily on themes and music cues composed by Jerry Goldsmith (Alien), James Horner (Aliens) and Marc Streitenfeld (Prometheus). Ultimately, Wallfisch gives us music that sounds recognizable, and enjoyable, all while bolstering the tension of the story.
ARTIFICIAL PERSONS, MINERS, AND MONSTERS, OH MY!
Our group of protagonists, lead by Cailee Spaeny (Last seen in Civil War 2024), is comprised of several fresh faces. This cast shows great rapport with one another, and gives us plenty of reason to care about the ones who aren't making it out alive (Hey, the Xenomorph has gotta do what it does best, right?). It's a good ensemble in that no one is trying to steal the spotlight, because they know the true star of the show is the xenomorph, with one exception. David Jonsson may just be the freshest of this film's fresh faces. I'm going to keep it spoiler-free, so no details about his character. What I will say is that his performance is one of the better ones you'll see in all the franchise. What he manages to do is riveting, and I for one, am excited to see what's next for this guy.
As for the face-huggers and xenomorph? Well, again, I'm not writing spoilers, but just know these creatures have never looked and sounded better, or behaved scarier.
SEE IT? STREAM IT? SKIP IT?
Alien: Romulus absolutely delivers on the action, tension, and terror we've come to expect from a film in this series. I'll be fair and say that while the first and second acts are nearly flawless, the third act is a tad underwhelming with one or two callbacks that may feel forced. Those of you that ate up everything they previously put on our plates, be it AVP or Alien: Resurrection, will no doubt clean your plate again and ask for seconds. Those of you that felt the "concentrated acid for blood" burn of Covenant and Prometheus will have a reason to renew your faith in the franchise. See it. See it on the biggest, loudest screen you can. And see it soon, before the very fun easter eggs I withheld are spoiled for you by everyone on the internet.
The thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation.
