ALIEN RESURRECTION
RATING: **** (out of ****)
20th Century Fox / 1:48 / 1997 / R (language, gore, semi-nudity, creepy images) Cast: Sigourney Weaver; Winona Ryder; Ron Rerlman; Dominique Pinon; Gary Dourdan; Michael Wincott; Leland Orser; Kim Flowers; Dan Hedaya; J.E. Freeman; Brad Dourif; Raymond Cruz Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet Screenplay: Joss Whedon
There's nothing more satisfying than a film series that keeps each installment fresh and unique, and the movies in the "Alien" franchise are a great example of the innovation required in order to maintain interest. Ridley Scott's 1979 "Alien" was an ominously chilling homage/remake of old-time creature features that set the stage for countless copycats and arguably redefined the contemporary monster movie. In 1986, James Cameron's crowd-pleaser sequel "Aliens" hit screens, and is still considered a classic combination of action and science-fiction sensibilities today. Five years ago, David Fincher's "Alien3" met with troubling box office performance due to a downbeat tone and depressing send-off, but love it or hate it, it's definitely a strong exercise in grim atmosphere. Now, there's "Alien Resurrection," which I'm pleased to say is *spectacular.* You'll have to excuse the gushing (I'm an enormous fan of the series and must consider this film as *the* one movie of 97 I've been looking forward to the most -- everyone else can subtract a half-star or so from my rating), but "Alien Resurrection" is an exhilarating experience, easily one of the most exciting motion pictures of the year.
When we last left Lieutenant Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) in "Alien3," she had taken her own life in order to prevent the alien queen growing inside her from falling into the hands of a selfish, aloof bio-weapons division that wanted to create and tame a beastly army of their own. "Alien Resurrection" picks up about 200 years later. On the space station Auriga, similar-minded scientists have used blood samples (taken soon before her death) to clone a Ripley with extremely discouraging results on seven separate occasions. But it appears the eighth time's the charm: the operation is a success, the queen is removed and Ripley, scarred but still beautiful, is cast aside while the project's supervisors can figure out how they're going to rid of her.
Everything seems to be running like clockwork until the small space pirate crew of the Betty docks on the Auriga. Their mysterious cargo -- about a dozen live bodies in states of suspended animation -- is quickly used to breed a new brood of the otherworldly monsters, which, of course, end up escaping. As the bloodbath begins, Ripley reveals to Betty shipmate Analee Call (Winona Ryder), a seemingly-passive young grunt who may or may not have questionable motives for being on the Auriga, that things are not what they seem -- the cloning process has resulted in a DNA exchange between human and creature. As a result, Ripley is given alien intuition and a few other assorted bonus surprises.
Because alien movies are such an overworked sci-fi genre, they're also one of the most tired. In the past two years alone, we've had entries that range from silly-but-enjoyable ("Starship Troopers") to plainly mediocre ("Event Horizon") to downright awful (yes, "Independence Day"). Most, if not all, of these films are completely shallow when it comes to anything other than blood, guts and the requisite jump scene -- there's little intrigue outside of wondering how much the special effects cost. Leave it up to "Alien Resurrection" to throw a lot of emotion and character into the mix. Thankfully, it's about more than monsters on a kill-quest.
That's not to say that there's a lack of chest-bursting, face-hugging or the use of people as in-between meal snacks -- enthusiasts of such violence will find much about "Alien Resurrection" to relish, particularly some icky business I heard an Internet rumor panel refer to as the "human toothpaste scene" and one bit where a general realizes he's a goner by examining a piece of his own head. But aside from the gore, there are actual ideas about biological-tampering, genetics and loyalty that aren't just confined to a setup or back-story. In one particularly thought-provoking sequence, Ripley meets the seven mutated clones she very well could have been. The way this quasi-family reunion plays out is eerie, stunning and even moving.
"Alien Resurrection" draws much of its suspense from where Ripley's final allegiance will lie -- which of the two species will she end up devoting herself to? Weaver obviously relishes the new-fangled spin on her best role ever. Her tricky, sly acting is done with the deliciously devious twist that Ripley is a savior no longer -- she's actually quite a nasty predator. Weaver's choreography, costuming and makeup even add to her neo-alien look. Ryder sports a surprisingly strong action presence, proving that she can conquer pretty much any type of film. Call makes a great foil for Ripley; their eventually-warm relationship is reminiscent of Ripley's bond with the little girl she saved in "Aliens." Other cast members register even if their sole purpose is to act as a food source. "The Crow"'s Michael Wincott is noteworthy as a semi-good guy (for once) but exits the film far too early. Leland Orser is "Resurrection"'s likely scene-stealer, playing a jittery traveler who's reluctantly carrying an alien in his own chest. Even the aliens themselves are given more character this time around.
Behind-the-scenes credits are stellar. Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet ("The City of Lost Children") frames each and every shot as a visual showstopper, particularly a dizzying underwater chase that culminates in a tense vertical climb. Screenwriter Joss Whedon gives "Alien Resurrection" the same clever humor that crowded his script for "Toy Story." Herve Schneid's editing is taut, John Frizzell's original score is eclectic. All of the prowess both on- and off-screen carries "Alien Resurrection" to a supremely rousing climax, the aftermath of which ever-so-slightly hints at an "Alien 5." And I, for one, am already in line.
© 1997 Jamie Peck E-mail: jpeck1@gl.umbc.edu Visit the Reel Deal Online: http://www.gl.umbc.edu/~jpeck1/
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