“We’ll be in and out in 30 minutes”
-- famous last words before everything goes haywire
One of our most anticipated movies of 2024! We LOVE Aliens and we think that it is one of the best movie sequels of all time but we were still a bit skeptical about Alien Romulus (this film takes place between Alien and Aliens), though excited!
It’s been quite some time since we got a good Alien film. Prometheus & Alien Covenant were good but they focused more on the origin of life and all, as compared to a terrifying space horror like Alien. Alien Romulus was expected to bring all of it back! But did it? Here we go:
Alien Romulus really nails that eerie, tension-filled atmosphere that the Alien franchise is famous for. Right from the start, it felt like we were back in that cold, mechanical world where every shadow could be hiding something deadly. The whole vibe just pulls you in, and you can’t help but feel a bit on edge the entire time.
The characters were interesting, though not all of them stood out. There were a few that we connected with, especially Cailee Spaeny - she did a great job of making me feel every bit of fear and determination she was going through. David Jonsson, who played Andy, was also the standout in the film. But, we have to say, some of the others felt like they were just there to add to the body count, which was a bit disappointing. While in some scenarios, the dialogues had its moments, but there were times when either it dipped into the usual horror movie clichés or tried to have its fan service moment, which did not hit well.
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The movie starts off great by providing us with a tense and claustrophobic environment which is complemented by excellent set-making and sound design. The camera work as well as the cinematography was also exceptional, which made the setting of the deserted space station come to life. The first act sets up the tension really terrifically by making you feel the dread of the characters, as they try to make a desperate attempt at an escape, from the unknown organisms.
Although Alien: Romulus successfully recaptures the chilling horror of the original film, it abruptly shifts gears, transforming from a tense thriller into more of an action-packed spectacle, clearly taking cues from Aliens.
And yes, the third act of the film is something we didn’t enjoy. It could’ve been a brilliant film if they continued with how the story was going instead of suddenly changing things up. It felt that it tried to bring something from all of the previous films here and make a film for everyone and that it was something not everyone would enjoy.
Visually, Romulus is a treat. The xenomorphs looked as terrifying as ever, and the practical effects really made the horror come to life. The film takes its time building up the suspense, and while that worked out in the more intense scenes, there were moments where we wished things would pick up a bit faster.
TSHC Score: 7.2/10
All in all, Alien: Romulus is a good addition to the franchise. It may not hit the same high notes as the original movies, but it’s definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of sci-fi horror. It stays true to the Alien spirit (in most ways), with just enough modern touches to keep things fresh.
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