5mo ago

Please stop making Alien movies

www.spectator.co.uk Please stop making Alien movies

In the Alien films, a xenomorph is a monstrous, all-consuming life form that exists only to make more and more copies of itself. Once the first xenomorph appears, it’s only a matter of time until all those gleaming chrome walls will be covered in creepy black goo and the humans suspended lifeless fr...

Anyway, Alien: Romulus is the seventh film about these particular monsters. According to the producers, the film takes the franchise ‘back to its roots’. So we get a group of grimy crew-mates piloting a big rust-bucket of a spaceship who pick up an extraterrestrial stowaway and end up having to use their wits and courage to survive as it gobbles them up, one by one.
And it’s not a bad film. It’s nicely creepy, the special effects are good, the acting is perfectly serviceable. In fact, I could give you a normal review of Alien: Romulus, but just writing this is making me feel a little crazy. It’s not a bad film, but it’s also a direct copy of a much better film that already exists. That film is called Alien, and it came out in 1979. It had Sigourney Weaver in it. It hasn’t vanished. If you have a Disney+ subscription or a torrent client, you can watch it tonight. Why have we made it again? What’s the point? Why have we spent the past 45 years – which is longer than I’ve been alive – making seven different versions of the same film? What on Earth is going on?

143 comments

Why have we spent the past 45 years – which is longer than I’ve been alive – making seven different versions of the same film?
If you watch Alien, Aliens and Alien3 and come out with the idea that they are “different versions of the same film”, maybe the whole movie critic gig thing isn’t for you. Hell, they are not even the same genre.
- Spectator journalist incapable of perceiving nuance
  In other news, the sun rose today
- yeah that take is completely absurd.
- Kinda surprised the author could tell the difference between Alien, Predator, and Aliens v Predator at this point.
- Alien and aliens are 2 very different take on the same ide (opinions differ on Alien 3), that is not the reviewer claim.
  Their point is that Romulus is a useless remake of a much better original.
  
  Alien and aliens are 2 very different take on the same ide
  So are Ghostbusters and the Others.
  What is your fucking point?

Facehuggers are Disney princesses
- Since Disney owns the rights to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” so is…
  
  I fully and wholeheartedly support this
- God FUCKING dammit I hate Disney
- If you watch the new Aliens movie they can kill your wife. Read the ticket!!
- And this Disney princess doesn't get pregnant, YOU do!
- I thought the first action set piece with the facehuggers in Romulus was the films highlight. The corridor section, not so much.

I mean yes, totally. I haven’t seen it, yet, but will likely be going to the cinema for this one.
But, to just throw an idea out there … covers of and homages to songs are normal and sometimes awesome in music, and fundamental in live music.
So maybe the same isn’t so bad in film, especially if they’re not done badly, as it seems to be here.
Maybe “the problem” is more the lack of properly original works, the copious unashamed cinematic universe slop and faithless reboots?
In the same way that Bond films and Disney films find ways to manifest and apply to each new generation or era, why not other classic forms?
- But, to just throw an idea out there … covers of and homages to songs are normal and sometimes awesome in music, and fundamental in live music.
  So maybe the same isn’t so bad in film, especially if they’re not done badly, as it seems to be here.
  The film does a lot of things I liked but those call-outs are often so clunky it spoiled what could have been one of the great Alien films (it's still better than most).
  
  Are we reading the same article? The text was bashing anything that has a scary alien in a rust bucket spaceship killing ppl. The callbacks are corny sure but not the point. To say no one should make a film that puts a xeno in a space ship and have it hunt down ppl anymore because they did that 50 years ago is insane.
- The Bond franchise is an interesting one because they've essentially been remaking the exact same movie since Doctor No, and although there are definitely ups and downs, on balance it's still a good franchise! Virtually no continuity. Only occasional meta nods. In essence, every single Bond movie consists of...
  Bond goes to exotic location
  Bond engages in romantic shenanigans with one or more partners
  Bond faces a threat ranging from personal to world-ending
  Bond is menaced by a villain with some personal quirk
  Bond engages in a popular extreme sport
  Bond deals with a number of nameless goons plus at least one ascended chief goon, probably named, with their own particular quirk
  Bond foils the plans of the bad guy and has an epilogue with a romantic partner
  Change some variables, rearrange the furniture a little, but this is basically every single James Bond movie for the last sixty two years, and we still love them! It makes me think that originality is overrated.
  
  a fresh coat of paint on an old house is a good thing.
  trying to remodel the damn thing to fit whatever is trendy here and now, ruins the whole house.
  
  and we still love them! It makes me think that originality is overrated.
  Yea, kinda what I’m saying too. People like repetition and familiarity just as they like surprise and shock.
- I'm with you on the covers analogy, but I feel the best covers take the source material and do something different with it to set it apart.
  I haven't seen aliens Romulus yet myself, but it sounds like the 'cover' here doesn't really stand out or do anything different to the original.
  
  Don’t disagree. Sometimes though a relatively straight cover of something people like but in a more modern style can work well too. Bond films are maybe an example of that.
  
  Its a mixed bag. They do some cool and original things with the premise. There are also a lot of "point at screen because you remember this" moments. Overall its definitely one of the stronger entries in the franchise and definitely does enough new to justify its existence.

I haven't watched the new film yet, but saying that 7 remakes of the first movie have been made is total bullshit.
- Yeah … Alien is one of the greatest movies of all time and Aliens is a rare sequel which is almost as good as the original and it does it while switching primary genres from the first. 3 is weaker but is carried by set design and incredible acting.
  Honestly, all of the Alien movies that don’t have “Predator” in the title are at worst above average films.
- Anyway, Alien: Romulus is the seventh film about these particular monsters.
  That's not the same.
  
  Why have we spent the past 45 years – which is longer than I’ve been alive – making seven different versions of the same film?
  
  Why have we spent the past 45 years – which is longer than I’ve been alive – making seven different versions of the same film?

"Covenant" and "Prometheus" would've been killer movies to kick off a new IP.
I might be the old man shouting at clouds, but I've been turned off to all franchise "reboots". Just sick of rehashes and revisits and the cute little "winks" these movies do to the previous installments. Have an original thought, damn.
- The interesting thing is that I almost always hate remakes and reboots, but I love the Alien series. I think Covenant and a couple others were bad but generally they're all still worth watching for me. I really enjoyed Romulus and I loved Prometheus. I do not get all the hate that movie got.
  
  Because it was bad movie. Bad characters, nonsensical plot, and did nothing creative or interesting with the mythos. Sure, it was shiny and had need effects, but it was forgettable and empty otherwise. Just another big budget Hollywood movie.
  People were looking for something memorable and epic and that expanded the mythos... Promethus was none of those.
- Hollywood has retold so many stories they're running out of things to come up with. Hence all the reboots and remakes :(

What about please stop making BAD Alien movies?
- Exactly! Romulus is not without its faults, but damnit if it isn't a worthy follow-up to the first two films.
- They should make alien movies but not Alien movies. Try something new, leave Alien alone, they fuck it up everytime!

meh, I enjoyed it.

This article would maybe have a point if they hadn't finally released a good Alien movie for the first time in like 30 or 40 years.
- I mean, the fact it took them SEVERAL DECADES to finally make a good repeat kinda'... actively reinforces the point of the article...
  How many interesting new ideas could we have gotten instead without Hollywood morons chasing that virtually unattainable goal for several decades?
  
  It's not like they were pushing Alien hard for several decades. There's more superhero shit in 2 or 3 years than Aliens in 50.

Nonono.
I like alien movies.
Moar please. Just not sucky ones.
- I love Alien. I want more. Give me more!

Capitalism: No
- Also capitalism: We’re threatening a lawsuit for even saying that because we can, and you can’t afford the legal fees
- Also capitalism: made the original film
  
  I don't think you'll find the themes of the first film to be pro-capitalism.

Haven't seen it yet, but if it's got xenomorphs I'm in. I like all the Alien movies, even the "bad" ones like 3 and 4. I even liked the original aliens vs predators.
- Then you'll love this!
- Everyone here is cynical and hates on everything. Coming from a huge alien/aliens fan (like these are my #1 jam) it was an amazing movie. Best one since aliens imo. I think alien is better but this one had amazing pacing in comparison, as soon as shit hits the fan it’s intense until the credits roll.
  Go see it. If you liked 4 (my god even I hated that one lol) go see it dude, guarantee you will love it.
  
  No one. I repeat: NO ONE is hating on this movie for its own merits. No one is even under that illusion except you weirdos taking offense at people not liking the same things you do.
  If you like anything the color blue, OFC you won't agree with those saying, "yea but I like a little more color in my life." Ya'll are genuinely sad, not even respecting others' opinions enough to understand where they're even coming from...
- Are you me?
- You're gonna have a blast then. I can already tell you're gonna have a blast when it comes to all the facehuggers

What’s the point?
Um, same point as any franchise or reboot or remake: money. It’s easy too. Story is already there in one form or another; just add a few modern tweaks. You get the nostalgia kick from the original fans, and you get a boost from the younger fans who have heard all of the hyper from the OG fans. People have short term memories, so they get to rinse and repeat every few years.
Edit: for example… 🙄
- Hey, I have an idea, let's make another Spiderman/Batman/nope not going to continue this even as a joke...
  
  Only if you can tell me their origin for the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the film.

Couldn't disagree more. I loved this movie. I could critique aspects of it, but it was fucking stellar overall.
- You're missing the point. They're not saying it's a bad movie, just that it's an unnecessary remake.
  
  If a movie is good, I'm not sure how I follow that it is "unnecessary ". Nothing is necessary, outside of base needs.

I'm so surprised at how much people liked this movie. I thought it sucked out loud. Alien and Aliens FTW!
- This movie was overall damn good, brother those first two are such a high bar that is impossible to clear let's be real
  
  I don't like it when there is not an internal consistency. In the first movie they established how long a face hugger is attached to someone before an alien hatches. This was ridiculously fast. And it grew from the size of a large baby to an 8 foot tall monster in less than 17 minutes. At one point they said that the blood neutralizes shortly after the creatures death. Will not in this movie.
  It just felt to me like they essentially told the same story over again, in but not as well.
  But I'm glad you liked it.
- Alien and Aliens FTW but also I loved this movie! I love all three. First is the best one, but this is the first sequel that actually felt like a direct sequel in tone and style and worthy follow up to the original. Aliens is an amazing movie and I love it, but it is a totally different feel from the original.
  
  That's a very nice opinion. Too bad it's wrong.

No. Keep making them because Alien: Romulus was fuckin rad. It didn't reinvent the wheel, I got kind of annoyed with the callbacks towards the middle/end part of the movie, but I want to see it again, if not in the theater I'll rent it on streaming. It's the 3rd best Alien movie imo, that's high praise for such a robust franchise. Anyway, the writer of this article is an industry hack, Furiosa is great too. I'm out 🤟
- I'm with you. I can't wait to see Romulus again.

Romulus would be better without the callbacks to the first two films. One character in particular I wish was someone else entirely. Also, I didn't like the ending as it tied into Prometheus/Covenant, my least favourite of the Alien franchise.
I feel Alien has gone the way of Star Wars which keeps linking to the Skywalker's. Let Alien break free of the Ripley verse (She's even in Romulus as a well hidden Easter Egg!) and do something different. The comics have had excellent stories over the years, adapt one of those.
One of my favourites is Aliens: Labyrinth which is about a crazy scientist on a deep space station who has successfully got the alien species under control. His backstory is quite something and you know it will go wrong in the end.
- Agreed. The star wars stuff that is great is the stuff that isn't tied down to the original trilogy characters and plot. it's stuff that expands upon it with new characters and stories in the existing universe's rules.
  This is why the star wars prequels/sequels were so poorly received, they were totally inconsistent with the universe for the sake of ham-fisting in the original characters and re hashing the original plotline of the first trilogy. There was no respect for the rules that were established in the OG trilogy that people came to know and love.
  
  Agreed. Apart from Andor, I haven't really liked anything else. Take Obi Wan for example. It felt to me like shoehorning in a new story that didn't need to exist at all.
- Where's Ripley? I don't remember seeing her.
  
  Its Very well hidden.

The problem is, Alien: Romulus was pretty good. It gives the original a run for its money in my opinion.

That’s like, just your opinion man.
I for one enjoyed Romulus and want to see more. Give me more.

Remember when they re-released Star Wars episode 4 in 2015...
There are no new ideas. Just new talent to play old roles.
- Remember when they made Son of Frankenstein? A sequel to a sequel to a loosely adapted book back in 1939? Then went ahead and made another half dozen including Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein?
  This has always been the case with studios. They want to play it safe and make money.
  If you want original contact, do what has always needed to be done, support independent artists.
  
  The Sprinkler Sprinkled was released in 1896 and remade in 1897.

bro just stop watching alien movies it's that simple
- Nothing wrong with watching it. Just don't PAY for it.

Counterpoint: please make another actually good work in the universe.
I have my fingers crossed for the HBO (I think) series set to release next year.

Yes make aliens mini-series instead. The comics used to release in anuals that would tell a complete arc wether that be about the destruction of a floating research station on a jungle planet after the hunters turned it into an alien hunting world, the fall of earth or refugees stumbling upon an insane scientist trying to domesticate the damn things. Any one of those anuals would make a fantastic basis for say a 12 episode mini-series.

But....I liked Prometheus and its sequel....
- And I want the next one!

saw it, and I went put with the idea that it was an Alien movie whose target audience was young people that didn’t see the first alien movie.
I still prefer the original first alien movie. Like a lot, but this one is pretty decent. It was like a “netflix remake” with lots of copy/paste from the original movie. Some sentences are exactly copied, some scenes greatly copied and modernized for 2024 eyes.
The main differences that make the first Alien movie superior (to me at least). In this latest movie there is no “mother sound” in the original Alien the spaceship appear to breathe and live with a constant sound that really put you into the “Alien mood”.
Sigourney Weaver. Both her role and her acting were incredible. That is just decent in this new movie.
Critic about megacorps is visible in this new movie, but felt even more terrible in the older one IMHO.
Still, there are a few things not present in the original movie in this one that are a bit nice. The relation with the androids, some great action scenes. But that’s about it. If you love the alien universe it is a pretty decent Alien. If the first Alien is a 9/10 movie I would give this one a 7/10.
- I'm always down for more android drama so that's worth two points itself.
  I also love Weyland-Yutani's single minded obsession with "the perfect organism" biting them in the ass again and again when they're already making a superior version of humanity that can colonize space.
  What's even the profit to be had in turning humanity into xenomorphs or whatever bullshit they're on? It's the fatal flaw of corporate bureacracy we're seeing in real time as our current mega-corps set piles of money on fire on the regular, they're not even fucking good at capitalism, just at beating down workers who don't have an alternative.
  
  I always thought their goal was to weaponize the xenomorphs?
  But I suppose it's not meant to be clear. They're greedy corporations looking to milk as much profit from anything they can find. Good thing corporations aren't like that in real life ;P

Surprised no one in this thread has yet mentioned how this movie very much parallels Alien: Isolation and the huge success that game had by being so consistent with the premise of the first movie.

reason is that historically and statisticwise, sequels make more money then original movies. so there you have it.

I just want another Aliens vs Predator video game. Those 3-way multiplayer matches were so fun.

What a dumb take, the person that wrote this jerks themself off thinking about their opinions
- The person that wrote this was likely AI infected with McAfee malware, what a soulless trash waste of an article
- "What a dumb person; they don't like something I like!"
  You're pathetic, bro, and nothing will change that.
  
  No idc if they don’t like aliens I think it’s a terrible take to say “stop making aliens because the best one was the original and that’s the only one people should enjoy”

theres billions of Alien movies to be made. mash-up with a Adam Sandler dating comedy. Toss into a Kung Fu epic. C3PO is stranded with one and they nerd out and philosophize. Every movie with a great start that doesn't know how to end could switch to Alien mode.
- resurrection can already be watched as a romantic comedy. will the manic pixie fembot finally get together with the alien powered clone?

And Avatar, we don't need anymore thank you.
- I've got bad news for you.
- I wouldn't mind another show following Korra's replacement

Haven’t seen the film yet but I was agreeing with them until the very last part.
There’s some great arguments against these Disney soft reboots that tell the same story as the original films, but throwing all the previous sequels under the same bus as Romulus seems nonsensical to me.

Alien 3 it's the last enjoyable part of this saga, even resurrection if you're bored, nothing later should ever be done.

What? They haven't even made Fast and Furious and Alien yet.
- Now that is one Hell of a way to end the franchise - Vin Diesel shouting "family" and sacrificing himself to stop the xenomorph.
  
  Isn’t that Pitch Black?

I feel the same about Marvel films. I don't watch them
- Every time they try something different it gets destroyed by critics. At this point I don't blame them for making the same movie over and over.
  
  Who? Marvel? Look, i don't care if people like Marvel films. That's fine. My point was just that people should just not watch films they don't like. Not every bit of media has to be just for you, specifically.

Money
There are movies that are too successful for their own good. Then someone buys ip rights and milks the cow.
Like latest planet of apes movie. It’s so unnecessary. There’s a yellow sign “cash grab” in every scene

Lmao I just posted about alien in the moviesandtv shows comm

I was entertained. Nothing Else Matters. Movie critics have the dumbest stuck up takes sometimes.
- Babies are also entertained by jingling keys.
  I'm sorry all you want in the world is jingling keys. Sad.
  
  Lol, pathetic bait.
  
  This is a post made about a movie, which is just one example of entertainment. If someone is successfully entertained by said movie, what about that is sad to you? What more are you looking for?

https://youtu.be/T5jSRtwk6iM (0:15) Doctor Who has opinions on this topic.

Please stop making vampire movies.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_vampire_films

I saw an ad for this one and it looks like a remake of 2. Woman has to kick ass and protect surrogate daughter

Exactly the same thought I had when I left the theatre, like I just saw Alien all over again (only not quite as good). It was less an homage and more a copy of the original.

Op, first time in capitalism?

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