Review of Alien Resurrection (1997) by Renzo V — 15 Sep 2014

"RIPLEY VS THE ALIENS, 4.0".

- 'Alien: Resurrection' is a 1997 sci-fi horror film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Le Fabuleux Déstin d'Amélie Poulain, Un Long Dimanche de Fiançailles) and the fourth installment of the 'Alien' film franchise. Although Ellen Ripley died in the third movie, she is cloned by scientists to retrieve the alien queen growing inside her chest. I very much love the alien films, but felt a bit disappointed when I saw this part. The first two films were brilliant, the third one was dark, but this one is very bizarre and messy. I didn't feel the Ellen Ripley that I felt in the previous movies, nor did I like the hybrid alien. On the plus side; the aliens are truly amazing and deadlier than ever. With the wonderful Sigourney Weaver (Avatar, Aliens), Winona Rider (Edward Scissorhands, Bram Stoker's Dracula), Dominique Pinon (Le Fabuleux Déstin d'Amélie Poulain, Un Lond Dimanche de Fiançailles), Ron Pearlman (Drive, Hellboy), Brad Dourif (Child's Play, the Lord of the Rings: the Two Towers) and Dan Hedaya (Mulholland Drive, The Usual Suspects).

200 years after the events of the previous film, scientists onboard the space vessel USM Augira have been able to successfully clone Lieutenant Ellen Ripley (Weaver) and the alien Queen embryo inside her. After surgically removing the xenomorph, they place the creature under military supervision. The Ripley clone is kept alive to study.

Shortly after the queen has had eggs, a group of mercenaries arrive with their vessel 'The Betty'. Among the criminals are Johner (Pearlman), Vriess (Pinon) and Call (Ryder). They are delivering several kidnapped humans in cryogenic sleep. These will be used by Doctor Gediman (Dourif) to produce aliens. While the crew of the Betty meets Ripley, things go wrong with the aliens. Another fight for survival occurs. Will Ripley be able to stay alive this time?