Alien: Resurrection Special Edition Blu-Ray Review

Rated R (Strong Sci-Fi Violence and Gore, Some Grotesque Images, and for Language)

Running Time: 1 Hours & 56 Minutes

Cast-

Sigourney Weaver-Ripley #8

Winona Ryder-Annalee Call

Ron Perlman-Johner

Michael Wincott-Frank Elgyn

Gary Dourdan-Christie

Kim Flowers-Sabra Hillard

Dominique Pinon-John Vriess

Brad Dourif-Dr. Jonathan Gediman

J.E. Freeman-Dr. Mason Wren

Dan Hedaya-General Martin Perez

Raymond Cruz-Vincent DiStephano

Leland Orser-Larry Purvis

Steven Gilborn (voice)-Father, Ship's Computer

Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet 

"Alien: Resurrection"--a wholly unnecessary sequel.

Note: Part of the "Alien Anthology" Blu-Ray box set.

Despite the finality of “Alien 3,” 20th Century Fox still saw some dollars left to be squeezed and made a fourth film, “Alien: Resurrection,” released in 1997 five years after the third installment. This one is the oddball out of the franchise and feels like a ‘what-if’ scenario or fan fiction. A strange eroticism permeated the film and it didn’t seem to take itself too seriously, often veering off into grotesque territory. “Alien: Resurrection” is certainly watchable but while Sigourney Weaver remains in fine form, everything else feels clichéd and tired, and the well of ideas seems to have run very dry indeed.

Two hundred years after her death on Fiorina 'Fury' 161, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is revived as a clone by scientists working for the United Systems Military on the spaceship USM Auriga. They successfully extract the Alien Queen embryo implanted before her death and the clone, dubbed Ripley #8, is kept alive for further study. The scientists plan to collect the Alien Queen’s eggs in an effort to tame her offspring. As a result of the cloning process, Ripley now has both human and Alien DNA, possessing enhanced strength and reflexes, acidic blood, and a telepathic link to the Aliens. A mercenary ship called the Betty, led by Frank Elgyn (Michael Wincott) docks with the Auriga carrying kidnapped humans in cryo-stasis, which the scientists use as hosts for the facehuggers. Among Elgyn’s crew is Annalee Call (Winona Ryder), who, upon learning about Ripley, attempts to kill her but the Alien Queen’s matured offspring quickly escape from captivity and begin killing or harvesting anyone they find. The ship’s computer executes its default emergency command by setting a course for Earth which would prove disastrous if the Aliens escape. Ripley teams up with the remaining surviving mercenaries to escape and destroy the Auriga before it reaches its destination.

“Alien: Resurrection” feels outlandish at times and ultimately devolves into clichéd science fiction tropes. It actually feels more at home as a comic book than an actual film. Ripley is brought back through cloning, which is hard to swallow after her trip to the furnace at the end of “Alien 3.” Although Weyland-Yutani no longer exists (they were brought out by Wal-Mart?!), the scientists working for the United Systems Military hasn’t learned a thing after two centuries and get their just comeuppances. The franchise’s formula has also grown stale but that hasn’t stopped Fox from making more movies. Written by Joss Whedon, the mercenaries bore a strong resemblance to the crew in his future television series “Firefly”. He later remarked that director Jean-Pierre Jeunet made the film ‘all wrong’ but it felt like a flimsy excuse to not take responsibility for writing a sub-par script. The most interesting aspect is the Ripley clone, which, besides appearance, bears little resemblance to her original in terms of personality. She’s still tough as nails but lacks a strong moral compass, walking with an air of sensual superiority and has a strange fondness for caressing people, such as when she and Call first meet. The real Ripley does break through but only for a moment when she meets her horribly mutated copies and breaks into tears. The tone is noticeably goofy with the characters frequently sprouting one-liners, especially Johner, played by Ron Perlman. Aspects of the film veered into grotesque territory, such as the birth of the Alien/Human hybrid, who meets a rather messy demise that might disgust some people. The film made up for its lacking story with a strong visual style and the action packs a visceral punch but the horror aspect is virtually gone at this point. With its brighter color palette, we get to see the Aliens in full view and the gore is sometimes too gratuitous. The underwater sequence is a highlight but very implausible considering all the characters hold their breath for way too long to actually survive. “Alien: Resurrection” has a feeling of been there, done that but it is still watchable if nothing else.

Sigourney Weaver plays a more sinister Ripley and she’s quite good, sexy even with her slick hair. The rest of the cast don’t make much of an impression. Winona Ryder, who is a fine actress, is miscast in this film as all her dialogue sounds forced and she never quite fits into this world. Ron Perlman seems to have the most fun in his role with his macho-man attitude that recalls Private Hudson from “Aliens.” Everyone else, however, is largely forgettable.

“Alien Resurrection” arrives on Blu-Ray as part of the “Alien Anthology” set and like “Alien 3,” the picture is a little soft at times but close-ups show fine detail and shadows are solid. Overall, it looks great if lacking the extra care of the first two films. For audio, this is the loudest “Alien” film with John Frizzel’s booming score and most of the cast shouting half their lines.

Instead of the summer, “Alien: Resurrection” was released during fall on November 26, 1997. With its pricey $75 million production budget ($11 million went into Weaver’s salary), the film flopped at the North American box office with $48 million, but made up for it internationally for a total gross of $161 million. Reception was lukewarm at best with 54% on Rotten Tomatoes. Although I enjoyed certain aspects of “Alien: Resurrection,” it was a mistake to make this film as it is a wholly unnecessary addition that adds little to the universe or Ripley’s character. To be honest, it isn't a terrible sequel, just a mediocre one.

Final Rating: 2.5 out of 5

"There's a monster in your chest. These guys hijacked your ship, and they sold your cryo-tube to this...human. And he put an Alien inside of you. It's a really nasty one. And in a few hours you're gonna die. Any questions?"