Alien Movie Anthology

For an in-depth discussion about the series, check out Ep 4 - Muther Knows Best: Unpacking Aliens’ Influence on Sci-Fi and Horror

For a Quick Short

Synopsis

Humans have found an enemy in an Alien that can be considered a "perfect organism." However, in their fight for survival, a morally corrupt company keeps subverting the efforts of the crew attempting to take the alien back for research purposes.

Series Excerpts

Alien <– Link to Review Here

This movie may be a classic, but in 2024, it feels slow and overly quiet. The story and practical effects hold up, but the lack of engaging sound design makes it feel lifeless. While it's iconic for the genre, the pacing and suspense don't hit as hard as they once did. This movie isn't the 9 it was in the 70s/80s. It is an 8.

Aliens <– Link to Review Here

Newt is the best character in my opinion from the thumbs up, the empty look in the beginning, and finally the salute. She was great. Also, I think Ripley was a true heroine in this movie with intention rather than just being lucky and in the right place at the right time. I think this could have almost been a perfect movie for the time if it were shorter and had lest establishing shots. Either way, it is still an 8.

Alien³ <– Link to Review Here

Also, just looking at the poster, the tagline "3 time the suspense, 3 times danger, 3 times the terror" doesn't make sense to the movie. There isn't 3 of anything really. Maybe because it was 8 years or so in between movies they could make that claim, but I don't think so. This is an 7 for its entertainment and meme availability, not the 4-6 that it is give online.

Alien Resurrection <– Link to Review Here

This movie is for sure a mess. The jump forward of 200 years, then somehow they found enough genetic material to clone Ripley and separate it from the Queen. Speaking of dumb things, the plot holes that are covered with one line. If they did, they should just punch themselves once in the face for this catastrophe. This is at best a 3. The entertainment was low, the CGI was ridiculous, and the dialogue was lazy.

Prometheus <– Link to Review Here

You have to know that this is a prequel to really understand some of the significance of what you are watching. However, this story still leads to some great questions, cliffhangers, and story that makes you want to go watch the others. That is what a movie should do. The story is outstanding and really provides some lingering questions that is what allowed Alien Romulus to exist. Because of the story, the special effects, and that gnawing cliffhanger, this is an amazing 8.

Alien Covenant <– Link to Review Here

I think that this movie and Prometheus were not tied to the future Aliens movies, you'd get so much more enjoyment out of them. This was an entertaining, scary, creeping, and beautiful movie, but the story relies so much more on other information and fill in the blanks that are not explained. It is a 7 for the creepiness and feel, but could have been so much more.

Alien Romulus <– Link to Review Here

Before I watched this, I was at Spec's getting a new bottle of Scotch, and the sales rep I was talking to made a good comment about this movie. It is a really nice blend of Alien and Aliens in the mix of horror vs. action. This movie is at least an 9. I wanted to give it an 8, but I was highly entertained, and I can't think of a reason to not give it a 9. Also, Andy was done dirty.

My Rating

Overall, I enjoyed the story (Not you Resurrection). There is action, jump scares, a creeping feeling, and just some either outstanding effects or just abysmal effects. If you include Alien3 and Resurrection, this series is only a 6. When you remove them, then you get an 8. If you remove Alien Covenant you can get a 9 out of the entire series. It was fantastic.

Parental Rating

For my dad, some yes and some no. For my mom, the one that would most likely interest her would be Aliens, but that is VERY low. There is a lot of language, especially as you get closer to modern day movies. I honestly think my dad would watch Alien, Aliens, and Prometheus, but nothing else.

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