As a die-hard fan of the Alien franchise who has seen each movie countless times and spent many sleepless nights contemplating their intricacies, I must say that the latest installment, Romulus, was nothing short of a thrilling ride. Though it may have felt like a glorified fan film at times, with several nostalgia-inducing callbacks to earlier chapters, I found myself completely immersed in its stunning production design, macabre body horror, and simplistic yet captivating storyline.
At long last, Alien: Romulus has landed. Judging by the online buzz, Fede Álvarez’s prequel/sequel has split the fandom, with some criticizing its return to basics and others celebrating it for that very reason. Personally, I loved it, flaws and all. So, where does it rank among the other Alien movies in the franchise?
Read on to find out — ranked from worst to best!
9) Alien vs. Predator (2004)
Paul W.S. Anderson’s Alien vs. Predator isn’t bad per se, but it doesn’t stand out as exceptional either. In essence, it serves as a fun, fan-made crossover between two iconic creatures, delivering its content effectively and stylishly. It also introduces intriguing backstories for the legendary aliens, with the bold move of incorporating the Alien Queen from James Cameron’s film, despite it being lower on the list of Alien films in terms of popularity.
8) Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
The Strause Brothers’ R-rated sequel to Anderson’s generic AvP is a grisly yet occasionally entertaining slasher film that skillfully utilizes its legendary creatures, particularly the Predator. However, it features several unmemorable TV actors who fail to make an impact. Despite this, AvP: R offers some stylish action sequences and fully embraces brutality, killing children, pregnant women, and ultimately annihilating a civilian town with a nuclear blast.
7) Alien 3 (1992)
As a devoted admirer, I must say that David Fincher’s controversial take on Alien 3 truly shines as a gripping solo horror tale. It dared to challenge and subvert audience presumptions, which makes it arguably the most somber summer blockbuster ever. The heart-wrenching demise of Newt and Hicks was undeniably bold, but it also felt like an unforgiving punch to the gut for fans who cherished James Cameron’s Aliens.
In this film, Sigourney Weaver delivers another compelling portrayal of Ellen Ripley, now appearing as a weary echo of her past self following numerous confrontations with the Xenomorph. Charles S. Dutton and Charles Dance shine among a cast that is otherwise easily forgettable. From a technical standpoint, Alien 3 excels due to Alex Thompson’s sharp cinematography, Fincher’s skillful direction, and Elliot Goldenthal’s chilling musical score.
Oh dear, being such an ardent admirer of the Aliens series, I can’t help but express my disappointment with 20th Century Fox’s seemingly negligent handling of the franchise. If their intention was to antagonize the dedicated fanbase, then Alien 3 certainly achieved that objective brilliantly.
6) Alien Resurrection (1997)
In a somewhat unconventional opinion, I found myself quite enjoying Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s controversial sequel to Alien during my recent watch. Its bold, all-out attempt at interpreting the material stood out to me. Compared to earlier installments, this Alien film seems less nuanced, opting for thrilling action and gruesome scenes over complex themes or character growth.
Still, Resurrection delights as a cheesy B-monster movie packed with stunning sets, fun characters, wild set pieces, and a few franchise-altering story beats. Sigourney Weaver clearly enjoys adding new wrinkles to Ripley, while Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman, and Brad Dourif add just the right amount of camp in effective supporting roles. The Xenos also look great, particularly the Alien Queen.
All told, Resurrection delivers approximately 109 minutes of engaging, frequently thrilling entertainment for its audience – a far more enjoyable experience compared to Alien 3.
5) Alien: Covenant (2017)
Ridley Scott advances the storyline of Prometheus with Alien: Covenant, an intriguing installment brimming with thoughts that don’t quite harmonize completely. Similar to Prometheus, Covenant poses numerous questions it fails to adequately address, leading to a disjointed second half that strives hard to blend Scott’s grand concepts with the blood-and-gore style expected from the Alien series by fans.
Despite being similar to many mindless summer blockbusters, Covenant sets itself apart by reaching for more depth instead of relying on familiar tropes. The visuals are breathtakingly beautiful due to Dariusz Wolski’s magnificent cinematography and Ridley Scott’s artistic touch. Michael Fassbender, once again, proves himself as the star player in the Prometheus series, skillfully portraying two distinct android characters. David, in particular, makes for a captivating antagonist; his actions may be cruel, but his motives for the murderous intent are intriguingly explained.
Covenant navigates the series past its boundaries, yet it sheds light on some enigmas that arguably should have remained unexplored. This is why it falls in the mid-tier among the films ranked in the Alien movie series.
4) Prometheus (2012)
After the Alien vs. Predator films, it was astonishing that Ridley Scott revisited his cherished Alien series. Instead of simply repeating his initial work, the renowned director brought forth a plethora of innovative concepts to guide the storyline into unexplored realms. Prometheus aspires for greatness but falters due to a messy script, underdeveloped characters, and an excessive number of confusing plot twists.
The movie titled Prometheus, featuring Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, Guy Pearce, Charlize Theron, and Idris Elba, narrates an expedition of astronauts embarking on a quest to encounter extraterrestrial beings. As they traverse the cosmos, they stumble upon the “Engineers,” a highly advanced race from Earth’s past who are now set on destroying their creation. Unbeknownst to them, this ancient race possesses a deadly biological weapon, which carries the fundamental components necessary for breeding the fearsome Xenomorph.
Scott skillfully communicates these concepts through striking visuals, and manages to strike many resonant chords. Though Prometheus certainly has its flaws, it remains gripping, thrilling, and consistently thought-provoking. It’s hard not to admire Scott for his ambition, despite the fact that a deeper exploration of more substantial themes would have made this prequel truly unforgettable.
3) Alien: Romulus (2024)
Following numerous years spent navigating the intricate and increasingly perplexing David sagas by Ridley Scott, Alien: Romulus seems like a welcome change of pace. Skilfully guided by Fede Álvarez, this sequel/prequel at times appears to be more than just an extravagant fan production with a few questionable nods to past installments. However, despite these moments that might provoke a roll of the eyes, I was captivated by Romulus’ remarkable set design, chilling body horror elements, and a straightforward yet intriguing narrative plotline.
In a more conversational style:
In much the same way as others have pointed out, Romulus sticks to playing popular tunes and doesn’t stray too far from familiar territory. Álvarez seems to be deeply enamored with this world, meticulously aligning every flashy light or carefully illuminated corridor with Scott’s (and particularly Alien: Isolation) rhythm. Romulus gives off the impression of being a compilation of every Alien film, but in a positive manner, even down to its wildly controversial ending that has sparked debate among fans.
After skimming numerous critiques, some criticized the excessive use of nostalgia and reliance on past elements. Despite a handful of recognizable moments and an unexpected yet unessential appearance, Romulus effectively refreshed the franchise without undermining its earlier installments, particularly Prometheus and Covenant. In fact, those movies seem more significant than ever, especially if Álvarez plans to continue the storylines of Rain and Andy – a prospect I’d embrace enthusiastically.
Working on the Alien franchise can be quite a challenge for any director. Stray too much from the established formula and you risk losing fans; stick too closely to it and you may also disappoint them. It’s a difficult task to balance these expectations. However, Álvarez’s commitment to maintaining the franchise’s lore, along with his excellent direction, stunning visual design, and exceptional performances by Spaeny and Jonsson, make Prey (Romulus) an exhilarating revival for this long-running series. It might not recreate the cosmic grandeur of Alien or Aliens, but it surely offers a fresh take that is worth looking forward to.
2) Alien (1979)
I have a strong affection for the movie Alien, characterized by its ominous and eerie imagery, captivating premise, and escalating suspense. Similar to its terrifying villain, it’s truly a flawless creature — an unsettling dream teeming with innovative ideas and breathtaking visuals. Despite numerous imitations, follow-ups, and spoofs, it continues to be a masterpiece of cinema and arguably Ridley Scott’s finest work.
1) Aliens (1986)
For me, the pinnacle of the franchise remains Aliens. While Ridley Scott laid the groundwork, James Cameron’s epic sequel propelled the series into a stratosphere no one else has reached. Cameron adheres to the original formula but amplifies every aspect, much like he did with Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Avatar: The Way of Water. Ripley becomes a more complex character, grappling with the loss of her daughter and severe PTSD; the stakes are higher, the characters more vibrant, the aliens more menacing, and the scope more expansive. Cameron both honors and surpasses Scott’s vision, delivering the perfect sequel, blockbuster, and perhaps the greatest action film ever made.
Currently, I’ve grown tired of anticipating a suitable sequel to Aliens. James Cameron has truly raised the bar with his masterpiece, making it an unrivaled work in cinema, hence its top spot on our list of Alien films we’ve ranked.
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2024-08-20 00:41