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RTTP - Alien series.

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Also, people saying "Blomkamp can't possibly make anything worse than Alien 3 or Resurrection" - people have been saying something similar ever since Alien 3. And for how low Alien 3's bar is apparently set, nobody's been able to hit it. Not Resurrection, not Prometheus, definitely not the two versus movies.

So suggesting that the guy who got District 9 right is going to suddenly show back up and kick the guy who ate shit on Elysium and Chappie out of the chair, take an 80 to 100 million dollar budget from 20th Century Fox, and make a 65 year old Ellen Ripley and a looks-like-he's-105 year-old Michael Biehn softly jogging around a warehouse in wearable Alien Suits somehow look cool, cool enough to make you forget you're watching dead characters make a direct sequel to a movie that will be older than some of your parents by the time it comes out?

Doesn't seem like that much of a no-brainer to me.
 
Alien is a masterpiece. Aliens imo gets worse after every rewatch. The other 2 are unrateabale. Isolation is actually a worthy contribution to the lore. Flawless aesthetic.
 
Lightning Count said:
Insight into Ripley's bond with Newt because Ripley's own daughter had died.

We find out how the colonists came into contact with the Alien and just how personal the situation is for Newt due to be involved from word one.

The sentry scene ups the ante because we see just how frail the survivors defenses are and just how many Aliens they are up against.
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1). Is not needed. We already see through the movie Ripley's motherly connection to Newt. Knowing that Ripley had a daughter before adds nothing.

2). Unnecessary. Seeing the colony after it's decimation by the Aliens adds mystery & tension. By adding those scenes back in you remove any and all tension.

3). Useless filler. We already know how frail the colony's defenses were when we first arrive on LV426.

Frankly, the deleted scenes add nothing to the movie that wasn't already there whether implied or stated outright.
 
BobbyRoberts said:
No it isn't. It's an amazing game with a substandard, uninteresting, poorly executed story - like a whole bunch of other amazing games.

"Lore" is also becoming the most overused word since "trope."
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Yeah I guess I meant franchise more than lore. I just dug the attention to detail is all GET OFF ME BACK BOBBY.
 
A Fish Aficionado said:
Alien 3 does not and will not exist.

Alien:Isolation should be included. So good.
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Agreed, it's awful. Assembly Cuts, etc do nothing to fix the melodrama and ridiculousness of that movie. It is an absolute train wreck of a movie. While the studio can be blamed for much of it, that doesn't help fix what a broken movie it is. It's just not good.
 
Henchmen21 said:
1). Is not needed. We already see through the movie Ripley's motherly connection to Newt. Knowing that Ripley had a daughter before adds nothing.

2). Unnecessary. Seeing the colony after it's decimation by the Aliens adds mystery & tension. By adding those scenes back in you remove any and all tension.

3). Useless filler. We already know how frail the colony's defenses were when we first arrive on LV426.

Frankly, the deleted scenes add nothing to the movie that wasn't already there whether implied or stated outright.
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Bold #1 - Eh, the theatrical cut of Aliens just has the two bond and doesn't really flesh that out at all. The directors cut establishes that Ripley straight up missed out on her chance to be a mother, and Newt is that second chance. The directors cut makes this a lot more clear and it helps the movie as a whole because of it.

Bold #2 - I don't see how it's useless filler. It explains why the Xenomorphs don't just straight up bum rush the Marines immediately and also explains why the Xenomorphs had to take an unorthodox route into the building.
 
Henchmen21 said:
3). Useless filler. We already know how frail the colony's defenses were when we first arrive on LV426.
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That's one's not entirely the case, but for a different reason. The film establishes that the barricades the colonists set up aren't effective. So why is it that the aliens choose to sneak into the complex through the ceiling instead of just powering through the barricades like before? The automated guns scene provides a reason for that.

It's the only thing from the Aliens director's cut I think adds anything, though.
 
SpoonyBard said:
Anyway, Alien Resurrection > Prometheus.
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5MAnq5r.gif


Not sure I agree with this one. Prompetheus is underwhelming, but in my opinion it doesn't feel as "fan-fictiony" as Alien Resurrection did.
 
Sephzilla said:
Not sure I agree with this one. Prompetheus is underwhelming, but in my opinion it doesn't feel as "fan-fictiony" as Alien Resurrection did.
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Well, at least the scenes followed each other logically in Resurrection... It was much better directed film. And the director explained that he came to Hollywood as a hired gun (by the producers) to direct a Hollywood action movie and he had fun doing it. The plot is of course shit, and the characters uninteresting, but Prompetheus is no better.
 
goombatommy said:
IMO, Alien is the top dog, followed by Alien 3 (Assembly Cut), Aliens and Alien: Resurrection.
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I agree with this order. However, if we include Isolation it would be;

1 - Alien (Theatrical)
2 - Alien: I
3 - Alien 3 (Assembly)
4 - Aliens (Director's Cut)
5 - Alien R (Director's Cut)
 
L.B. Jeffries said:
hr-giger-6.jpg


I prefer the original Alien because of the element that was never copied by later films: the deeply unsettling overtones of sexual violence in this corporate, asexual environment. The director has always been explicit about this but it's not a subject the film directly addresses, it's just there. The phallic alien, the violent impregnating of Kane, and the unsettling anxiety the creature induces in you. None of these people have any sexual chemistry, they are all rambling about corporate shares and stupid company policies. And then this violent penis monster gets set loose on the ship with them.

Aliens 2 did away with this for a grim action narrative and Aliens 3 went for a Space Jesus thing, all of which have aged or were copied to death. But man, even today if you fire up Alien, it will start to get to you on that weird unconscious level.
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yip yip yip

Strong theme, practical effects remain fresh, and masterful editing. Though I've never had much problems with Alien 3, but that's probably because we rented the VHS of it before the others. Depending on which cut you watch, both Alien and Alien 3 can seem like completely different movies, whereas I personally think Aliens is pretty much the same movie, whether it's the theatrical version or the special edition. I feel the special edition is the 'intended' movie though, even if Ripley's sudden child completely retcons her character. And for the record: considering that canon makes her the worst. mother. ever.
Consider for a moment why hypersleep exists in this universe, and you'll notice what I mean.

So basically these 'sequels' have little to do with one another and should not be considered continuous at all (which used to be how shit worked in '80s anyway).
It's kind of a pity we now have sequels with continuity that have to follow a specific formula too.
 
BobbyRoberts said:
Alien Isolation is an amazing game, maybe my favorite gaming experience in the last 10 years. I've given it as a gift to two different friends, and talked two more friends into getting it themselves to play it.

Alien: Isolation has a boring, poorly implemented story that adds not much more than the most basic incentive to start the next mission. It only packs whatever emotional punch it packs because you're the one playing it, not because any of the characters it renders are interesting/involving on an intellectual or emotional level. People suggesting it's a good replacement for Alien 3 are wrong.
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Here, here. It's an incredible experience-INSANELY nerve wracking.
 
Messypandas said:
Alien is a masterpiece. Aliens imo gets worse after every rewatch. The other 2 are unrateabale. Isolation is actually a worthy contribution to the lore. Flawless aesthetic.
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I've seen Aliens so many times I'll have to disagree. But I know what you mean about Alien though. I saw them both recently on the big screen and Alien really benefits from it more than Aliens, it's incredibly cinematic, up there with Bladerunner in terms of vision.

I tend to treat anything after Aliens more as curiosity than cannon, but I think both are enjoyable films. I like how throughtout the whole series each director brings their own particular style to the world. Also, considering the production hell that was Alien 3, Fincher actually did a rather good job at making a film so coherent and atmospheric.
 
Freeza Under The Shower said:
yip yip yip

Strong theme, practical effects remain fresh, and masterful editing. Though I've never had much problems with Alien 3, but that's probably because we rented the VHS of it before the others. Depending on which cut you watch, both Alien and Alien 3 can seem like completely different movies, whereas I personally think Aliens is pretty much the same movie, whether it's the theatrical version or the special edition. I feel the special edition is the 'intended' movie though, even if Ripley's sudden child completely retcons her character. And for the record: considering that canon makes her the worst. mother. ever.
Consider for a moment why hypersleep exists in this universe, and you'll notice what I mean.

So basically these 'sequels' have little to do with one another and should not be considered continuous at all (which used to be how shit worked in '80s anyway).
It's kind of a pity we now have sequels with continuity that have to follow a specific formula too.
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Well, you could argue the events of Alien make Ripley more aware of her failings as a parent as well. (Come to think of it, do they ever mention the father in any of the movies, and what happened to him?) "Career man/woman realizes what's truly important is family, and cats" is a pretty straight moral line to draw between the two films.
 
Sephzilla said:
5MAnq5r.gif


Not sure I agree with this one. Prompetheus is underwhelming, but in my opinion it doesn't feel as "fan-fictiony" as Alien Resurrection did.
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I never really thought of it before but I'd probably agree. For all its problems at least I found Resurrection coherent and entertaining. I really thought Prometheus was a nonsensical mess.
 
mokeyjoe said:
I never really thought of it before but I'd probably agree. For all its problems at least I found Resurrection coherent and entertaining. I really thought Prometheus was a nonsensical mess.
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Prometheus seems like a movie that went through a few too many script revisions before filming. It feels like it has more potential than it realizes. Meanwhile, with Resurrection, I don't think there's any kind of script tweaks/modifications you can make to redeem that movie outside of "replace it with another script"
 
I only really liked the original Alien, which remains one of my absolute favorite movies of all time.

Aliens felt a bit corny with the "baditude" of the soldiers or marines (or whatever they were). And Alien 3 kind of bored me. I haven't seen any of the other movies/spinoffs.

The original movie is really in its own league, in my humble opinion.
 
Sephzilla said:
Prometheus seems like a movie that went through a few too many script revisions before filming. It feels like it has more potential than it realizes. Meanwhile, with Resurrection, I don't think there's any kind of script tweaks/modifications you can make to redeem that movie outside of "replace it with another script"
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Even so, I thought it was better edited and directed.
 
Alien and Aliens are sublime. Isolation is a nice little side dish. The rest is rancid dogshit.
 
Sojgat said:
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Byoutiful.

MASSIVE Alien/Predator fan here. Grew up as a horror fan, I absolutely hate Star Wars and Star Trek, but I love the Alien and Predator franchises. I've seen the first 3 Alien movies and first 2 Predator movies at least 50 times a piece of the years. Alien 3 and Predator 2 are severely underrated.
 
Toa TAK said:
Predator should've stopped after its first.
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Predator 2 isn't as good as the first one but I give it a pass because it's still fun and it's pretty much a Predator x Lethal Weapon crossover. Plus Bill Paxton completes the sci-fi franchise triple-header in this movie
 
Lightning Count said:
Been revisiting these recently on Blu Ray, some thoughts.

Alien - this film gets better every time I watch it. Currently on a bit of a triple bill with this, reading the novelisation and recently I have been playing Alien Isolation. Watched the standard version and director's cut back to back, in this case the director's cut is weaker as Ridley Scott actually shortened the running time. The set design is just perfect, it all looks and feels functional, this is not a sci fi where I am looking at something unable to make heads or tails of it. It feels rough, this isn't squeaky clean, this is a working environment and the film is that much better for it.
\
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There is pacing in the theatrical release. This is broken in the directors cut. Even Ridley Scott himself said that the movie needed no more footage, since he was very happy with the movie as it is. I agree 500%. I am glad the bluray includes both versions tho. But i never go to the DC.
 
A little back on topic - the reason I dislike Alien 3 is primarily because of the opening of the movie. It basically takes a massive shit on Aliens and feels like a mean-spirited attempt to ignore the second movie. After that the rest of the movie feels like it's trying to recapture what made the first movie great, but never fully succeeds

Firemind said:
Robocop 2 is actually good? I forgot.

Also add Die Hard to the list.
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wait, i'm not alone in thinking die hard 3 is overrated?
 
BobbyRoberts said:
Because people keep substituting it in where it doesn't actually fit. It's a word that makes people think they're talking about story/setting in more interesting ways, when it doesn't even mean "story" in the way they're using it.
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I gotcha. I was just curious because I don't see it used as much as you do apparently.
Firemind said:
Robocop 2 is actually good? I forgot.

Also add Die Hard to the list.
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Wrong thread homes. Even so, Die Hard isn't sci-fi.
 
Sephzilla said:
wait, i'm not alone in thinking die hard 3 is overrated?
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It feels more like fanfiction with Hans' brother plotting revenge. Also McClane should be a loner, kicking all the terrorists' asses by himself. Not part of a buddy cop pairing. I love Samuel Jackson, but it's exactly this dynamic that ruined the franchise (see 4 and 5 for further evidence.)

edit: wrong thread indeed
 
params7 said:
I loved Alien Resurrection. I find it as good as Aliens.
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You're making a mistake here, son. You should watch that tongue. Could get ya fucked up 'round these here parts.

cyberheater said:
So no one is talking about the truly excellent Prometheus. Anyone?
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I hate Prometheus and I'm a really really big Alien franchise fan. I originally saw it in theaters going in with the mindset that it was an Alien prequel, it was a flop in that respect.
Than, on Blu-Ray, my girlfriend and I watched it as it's own independent thing and it still is a mess. The characters are hollow, the "Engineers" were poorly designed and their motives were questionable, and the
Weyland twist, running away from the falling ship in a straight line, unexplained mystery goo and, perhaps most offensively, awful prototype Xeno at the end were all ridiculous.
I'd give it like a 5/10 for universe expansion potential and gorgeous visuals but the actual film is hollow and I personally didn't like it.

I'm glad others got enjoyment from it though!
 
JigglesBunny said:
I hate Prometheus and I'm a really really big Alien franchise fan. I originally saw it in theaters going in with the mindset that it was an Alien prequel, it was a flop in that respect.
Than, on Blu-Ray, my girlfriend and I watched it as it's own independent thing and it still is a mess. The characters are hollow, the "Engineers" were poorly designed and their motives were questionable, and the
Weyland twist, running away from the falling ship in a straight line, unexplained mystery goo and, perhaps most offensively, awful prototype Xeno at the end were all ridiculous.
I'd give it like a 5/10 for universe expansion potential and gorgeous visuals but the actual film is hollow and I personally didn't like it.
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I was kind off kidding.

I too have the Bluray and I love the visuals but It's one of those movies that the more you think about it the less sense it makes. It's a massive waste of an Aliens license.

Still. As a standalone sci-fi movie it's okay.
 
Sephzilla said:
Predator 2 isn't as good as the first one but I give it a pass because it's still fun and it's pretty much a Predator x Lethal Weapon crossover. Plus Bill Paxton completes the sci-fi franchise triple-header in this movie
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Predator 2 is a good sequel. The city setting works, Danny Glover was a great lead, the action scenes are great and on par with the first film. I'm sorry, but if you think the opening scene and the penthouse massacre isn't well done action then you're dead to me. It also built on the Predator mythology a little bit and established that they have an honor code, may have had something to do with the Aztecs, and have been coming to Earth for a very long time. It does what Prometheus failed at (I think the fan-edits of Prometheus are pretty decent) and provides an entertaining movie that ALSO does some universe building. Predator 2 also established that the Alien and Predator are in the same universe, surely that deserves a mention?

Firemind said:
Robocop 2 is actually good? I forgot.

Also add Die Hard to the list.
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Robocop 2 is underrated as fuck. Good sequel, goes a little off the rails (in a gloriously non-PC action movie kind of way) but it's fun.
 
Alien 3 is garbage. A slap in the face to fans of Aliens. I honestly prefer Resurrection even though it sucks, too.
 
cyberheater said:
I was kind off kidding.

I too have the Bluray and I love the visuals but It's one of those movies that the more you think about it the less sense it makes. It's a massive waste of an Aliens license.

Still. As a standalone sci-fi movie it's okay.
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There's a scene where the main character removes an alien from her body in rather nasty and painful way, walks out of the room like nothing has happened and meets some other people. Doesn't mention what just happened to her in any way. I just can't get over that fact... this is not the way humans act (or work). That's scene is unforgivable in any movie, be it Alien series film or cheap direct-to-DVD release.
 
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