ALIEN 3
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 1996 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): *
Let me first confess that I absolutely loved ALIEN (1979) and
ALIENS (1986). In fact, ALIENS is one of my favorite (top 20 or 30)
movies of all time. I was extremely disappointed by ALIEN 3. In
ALIEN, the shock of the concept as well as the acting carried the
picture. In ALIENS the fear of the beast was tempered by the sweetness
of the little Newt character. Most of the same writers (Larry
Ferguson, David Giler, Walter Hill, and Vincent Ward) are back, but
this time with a different director (David Fincher) and mainly a new
cast, and they craft a totally different vision. This is a dark and
mean spirited show. Both of the first two had gems of hope in them.
This one reeks with despair and hopelessness.
As always, Sigourney Weaver is back as the ever resourceful
Ripley. Other than Lance Henriksen as Bishop II, I think most of the
rest of the cast is new to the ALIEN series. In ALIEN 3 we have
Charles Dutton as Dillon, Dance as Clemens, Paul McGann as Golic, Brian
Glover as Andrews, Ralph Brown as Aaron, Danny Webb as Morse,
Christopher John Fields as Rains, and Holt McCallany as Junior. The
cast is acceptable, but none of them are very impressive. The problem
in the movie boils to two words, script and direction. Both are
pathetic.
What didn't I like about it? Mostly it is boring. It is a one act
and one scene play that has a short and mildly interesting prologue.
The prologue is maybe 10-15 minutes long. I did not time it because I
thought the rest of the movie would have lots of scenes and be much
more interesting. In fact the rest of the movie is a lugubrious and
unsuspenseful 2 person show, Weaver and the monster.
Remember what wonderful and essential other characters there were
in the other movies? Well, there are a few other potentially
interesting actors in ALIEN 3, but they are never developed and have
almost nothing essential to do other than keep it from being a 2 person
play. Remember the suspense, fear, and intensity of ALIEN and ALIENS?
Good, hold that memory while watching this show. Memories are good;
this show isn't. Better see it while it is still on the big screen.
The murky cinematography by Alex Thomson is so dark it may be invisible
on the little boob tube at home.
You say, well there must be SOMETHING you liked in it? Well, yes
there is a tiny mystery in the way that the monster acts toward Weaver.
This mystery is easily solved yet I found the premise kind of cute.
ALIEN 3 runs way too long at 1:55. I wish editor Terry Rawlings
had hacked away more of this depressing film. It is correctly rated R
for violence and bad language. It would be okay for most teenagers. I
give it a thumbs down recommendation and a single *. If you are a real
ALIEN series fan, I do not think you will be able to miss seeing it.
Even with terrible reviews I had to see this movie. I remain hopeful
that ALIEN 4 will be more like the best in the series which was ALIENS.
**** = One of the top few films of this or any year. A must see film.
*** = Excellent show. Look for it.
** = Average movie. Kind of enjoyable.
* = Poor show. Don't waste your money.
0 = One of the worst films of this or any year. Totally unbearable.
REVIEW WRITTEN ON: May 27, 1992
Have I Seen This Movie: Yes
And What Did I Think?: I was kind of disappointed with Alien 3, and did not live up to its 2 predecessors. It didn't have the same dramatic suspense as Alien, and the action was nowhere as good as Aliens. This movie just felt too gloomy since it was set in a prison, and didn't make me want to look at the surroundings too much. I was also very angry at what happened to the survivors of the previous movie. After all they had been through, they die in a crash in the beginning, all except for Ripley of course. That was totally senseless. David Fincher's directing of this does not measure up to James Cameron and Ridley Scott's masterful directing of the first two. However, its not all bad. In fact Alien 3 is somewhat good, and has some nice special effects and scary scenes. I liked Charles Dutton here as the prisoner Dillon. None of the other supporting actors were nothing of note though. There were more things that I didn't like about this film, then I liked. The bleak atmosphere, the death of the survivors of the second movie, the death of Ripley, even Sigourney Weaver's shaved head. I'm just glad they didn't end the Alien franchise with this movie, since Alien Resurection redeems the series. Weakest in the series here, although it is deserved a look.
I give Alien 3 2.5 out of 5 stars
Review written July 8, 1999
