Does Alien: Romulus’ Fan Service Go Too Far?

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Does Alien: Romulus’ Fan Service Go Too Far?

As a lifelong fan who grew up watching the original Alien movies and having fond memories of late-night viewings with my dad, I found Fede Alvarez’s Alien: Romulus to be a thrilling ride that brought me back to those days. The film successfully paid homage to the franchise’s roots while injecting some fresh blood into the veins of this iconic series.

I thoroughly enjoyed Fede Alvarez’s take on the Alien: Romulus series. After a long wait, it’s gratifying to see a director deliver an Alien movie that lives up to its reputation. While it may not quite reach the heights of Ridley Scott’s original Alien or James Cameron’s Aliens, it certainly holds its own within the franchise and improves upon repeated viewings.

Interestingly, while the sequel/prequel generally received positive feedback from critics, viewers seem to have differing opinions. A common complaint is the abundance of references to earlier films. More specifically, the use of a CGI version of Ian Holm as a robot resembling Ash named Rook, along with David Jonsson’s synthetic character Andy repeating the iconic line “Get away from her, you bitch!” during a key scene, has sparked criticism.

It’s clear that contemporary films have amassed vast sums by tapping into the public’s fond memories of the past. However, the line between satisfying fans and overdoing it can sometimes blur. The question arises: when does catering to fan nostalgia become excessive? Moreover, does Alien: Romulus risk joining other “requels” in obscurity?

The Requel

2015 saw the phenomenon of “requels” taking off, as Jurassic World and Star Wars: The Force Awakens released, serving as sequels to Jurassic Park and Star Wars respectively, but essentially functioning as soft reboots. This trend quickly caught on like wildfire among studios, leading them to create uninspired, almost identical continuations of once-dormant franchises, which were heavily laced with fan service, masking their lack of originality and depth.

Occasionally, a movie like Top Gun: Maverick, Creed, or Spider-Man: No Way Home manages to bring fresh perspectives to their series’ history. However, more often than not, an overly zealous attachment to a cherished property can hinder a project, stopping it from soaring to its full potential. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is one such example, as it faithfully paid homage to Ivan Reitman’s original Ghostbusters, filled with not-so-subtle references that overshadowed the new characters. Whenever Afterlife seems ready to chart a fresh course, the film hits viewers over the head with another predictable Easter Egg, reminding us of past glories instead of forging its own path.

In a playful, self-aware manner, the delayed fourth installment of The Matrix, named The Matrix Resurrections, humorously tackled the concept of a “rebootquel” while wholeheartedly endorsing it. However, viewers found its lackluster execution unconvincing. If the creators don’t seem engaged, why should we be?

Instead of closely following Jan De Bont’s 1996 Twister, Twisters intentionally took a new direction, leading to the birth of a fresh franchise instead of a carbon copy of its predecessor. It’s hard to believe Helen Hunt wasn’t cast as Daisy Edgar-Jones’ mother in this new take. Similarly, Cobra Kai faithfully adheres to its original source material while continually discovering innovative ways to develop existing mythology. Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep joyously paid homage to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining while further advancing the storyline that film established.

Fan service works in the right hands.

It’s usually essential to cater to fans’ desires when trying to revive a flagging franchise, and that’s exactly what Deadpool and Wolverine have been doing. They’ve been working tirelessly to keep the masses entertained with their comedic, action-packed extravaganzas – the very formula that made Marvel such a financial powerhouse. And it seems to be paying off, as audiences are flocking to see them, breathing new life into the struggling superhero genre. For now, Deadpool and Wolverine might age faster than one of Deadpool’s quips, but for the moment, they’re doing just fine. At least, they’ve earned enough money to fund a few more Marvel films.

Is it a creative success? Hell, no. D&W did its job. Nothing more, nothing less. Is that enough?

Alien: Romulus’ Use of Fan Service

This brings us back to the movie “Alien: Romulus,” which, much like Deadpool and Wolverine, largely follows established paths but still has some unique twists up its sleeve. Alvarez skillfully creates an entertaining spectacle that subtly incorporates fresh ideas into the formula, especially in its thrilling finale.

Have we seen it all before? Yup. Where else can you take the Alien saga?

Romulus had a challenging mission: Assess audience curiosity towards an ancient franchise, present the Alien series to fresh viewers, and reignite the passion fans initially had for the concept. Given the unfavorable response to Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, as well as the less-than-stellar AvP films, Alien required a boost to lure audiences back into this mysterious future realm. Alvarez largely accomplishes this goal by creating a film that appeals to longtime enthusiasts (such as myself) and lays the foundation for more impressive journeys ahead.

This strategy may not be entirely innovative and at times might seem overly sentimental, but it was crucial to get the franchise back on a successful course. So far, so well! Romulus has managed to gross $225 million worldwide in just two weeks, with a budget of only $80 million. With a bit of luck, its total earnings could reach approximately $350-400 million by the end of its run.

With Dan Trachtenberg’s hit movie “Prey” adding to its success, fans are excited about more Alien/Predator series installments, led by individuals who truly appreciate this universe.

Mission: accomplished?   

In essence, fan service can be a powerful tool – it can rekindle enthusiasm and draw viewers closer, yet it may also restrict innovation and hinder a series’ progression. For Alien: Romulus, the fan service is effective, but its long-term success is questionable. As the franchise advances, it needs to strike a balance between upholding tradition and venturing into new realms – otherwise, it could find itself adrift in the empty expanse of space alongside other sequels.

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2024-08-28 00:40