ALIEN RESURRECTION

STARRING: Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Dominique Pinon, Ron Perlman, Gary Dourdan, Michael Wincott, Kim Flowers, Dan Hedaya, J.E. Freeman, Brad Dourif, Raymond Cruz, Leland Orser

1997, 108 Minutes, Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet

(Guest review by: Harry Hattaingh)

I saw the new Alien movie on one of those afternoons when you just had to see an Alien movie: cold, raining, gets dark at half past four or something.

Now, I claim no knowledge of what has gone before. I saw - or at least I think I saw - the first Alien movie on video while disastrously inebriated. Which I think added to the special effects.

Now the latest little slimy gem is fun. About that I have to be honest.

But certain things keep on bugging one. I got a D- for genetic engineering at school, but I'm sure something smacks of the unreliable as far as our protagonist's clone is concerned. Ms. Weaver dies in Alien 3 (or so I assume) with the monster lodged in her chest.

From a blood sample they re-construct her and lo and behold! The monster is resident in the clone! Is this even close to a possibility? Some clone specialists out there might be able to help.

The viewer is also rather perplexed at the task of bonding with Ms. Weaver, as she is somehow half alien. (It seems as though her 'impregnation' with the monster has somehow changed her into a dual-natured creature. Also rather implausible, as we do not usually take over any characteristics from those with whom we couple.)

She's also rather smug and ironic for someone who had just been re-introduced to language. On the whole not a very plausible character.

Then there are some moments when one feels that the action isn’t convincing either.

Here's the scene: Person A is viciously attacked by a monster. We know that person B or C will have to help A out if he is going to survive. The attack lasts several minutes during which we cannot but wonder what B and C are up to, because we are given no indication that they are otherwise occupied.

Eventually they do help, but it is hard to decide why they choose exactly that moment, when they could obviously have done something much earlier.

The must-see bits revolve around:

• Ms Weaver oozing in the lap of luxury - or rather the lap of the queen monster
• Ms Weaver showing a lot of affection for some really ugly creatures

However, in the end I enjoyed Alien Resurrection. Good, gory fun - and I can think of no better way to spend the afternoon.
 

• Read the script.
• Read about the planned Alien prequel.