Alien: Resurrection

The fourth chapter of the franchise that maestro Ridley Scott launched way back in 1979 turns out to be a solid sci-fi horror product supported by an ingenious screenplay and driven by frenetic pacing. Jean-Pierre Jeunet opts to go the “action” route and energetically directs a work that, despite not matching the expressive power of “Aliens” (1986) – the other film in the series that bet heavily on the action component – does bring the series to a respectable conclusion (prequels and spin-offs aside).

Standouts in the cast include an exuberant Ron Perlman and a confident Sigourney Weaver who’s even tougher than usual. Against this backdrop, Winona Ryder, finding herself stuck in the role of the obligatory is-she-good-or-is-she-evil “synthetic”, is perhaps the sole weak link.

As for the topics tackled, reflections on the theme of diversity – mainly on the female side – are given priority, as seen by the presence of characters such as the Ripley clones, the synthetic, and even the alien queen.

The practical special effects are effective with just the right amount of gore, but the CGI leaves something to be desired. At any rate, the human-alien hybrid that bursts onto the scene towards the end – its appearance reminiscent of “Pumpkinhead” (1988) – is a simultaneously repulsive and terrifying creature, but also one worthy of compassion.