ALIEN: ROMULUS is a solid sci-fi horror thriller, but it doesn't provide anything new to the ALIEN franchise we haven't seen before. There are tons of Easter eggs to other films in the series. This latest film is directed by Fede Alvarez and it takes place between ALIEN and ALIENS while Ripley is still wandering in cyrosleep in her escape shuttle. This latest ALIEN movie is better than ALIEN: COVENANT, but it still has some story holes you can melt acid through like the xenomorph's acid blood does to the derelict space station that a band of Weyland Yutani contract employees come across as they seek a way to escape the world they are stuck to until the company decides they can get a flight to a different and better world. The production design and special effects and Alien creature design is top notch, but the CGI used to create the face of the android named Rook as a reference to the android who was in the first ALIEN could have been better.

ALIEN: ROMULUS is a success for 20th Century Studios, but I do think they need to bring something original to the next ALIEN movie like the first two movies did. ALIEN: ROMULUS is a good step in the right direction except you need to have something new to bring to the table like how ALIENS was different from ALIEN and how ALIEN 3 tried to be different from the previous two where ALIEN RESURRECTION tried and failed. This movie has grossed more than ALIEN: COVENANT and it was originally intended as a streaming movie for Hulu. So I hope they do something more original next time and break new ground with the next film (not including whatever ALIEN: EARTH will be like).


SPECIAL FEATURES:
Three extended scenes and one alternate scene

RETURN TO HORROR: CRAFTING ALIEN: ROMULUS: a four part look at making ALIEN: ROMULUS-

THE DRIECTOR'S VISION-

CREATING THE STORY-

CASTING THE FACES- all about the cast and how the director has an actor in mind for the characters as the script is being written
CONSTRUCTING THE WORLD- a look at the production design of the movie

INSIDE THE XENOMORPH SHOWDOWN

ALIEN: A CONVERSATION- Fede Alvarez talks to director Ridley Scott about ALIEN and some of the things that Ridley did to make it a classic and use the most out of the small budget.

Also included is a code to download and stream a HD copy of the movie

FINAL ANALYSIS: ALIEN ROMULUS is an improved sequel compared to the horrible mess that was the prequel ALIEN COVENANT. ALIEN ROMULUS is a solid sci-fi horror entry that sometimes relies too much on callbacks and homage without providing anything new to the ALIEN franchise. The amount of extras are good, but I would have loved to see a deeper making-of documentary, the trailers for the movie, and an audio commentary.

This movie review is ©9-4-2024 and 12-29-2024 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com