Review of Species: The Awakening (2007) by Matthew C — 28 Feb 2011

In the continuing saga of missing the point comes this third follow-up to the surprisingly good Species. Unfortunately, the original film has a dreadful ending which sabotaged the whole message of the movie, and which has been capitalized on by its sequels.

Sil, the mutating alien/human hybrid was not an evil killing machine sent by aliens to destroy Earth, but a victim of child abuse, given little guidance by her clinical, detached 'father,' the scientist who helped create her.

Her killing was not done out of malice, but out of instinct and personal protection. However, all of that was tossed out for a cheesy Alien-rip-off ending in the sewers. And in the subsequent films, the sexy lady-alien is simply a monster with no depth.

This fourth film meanders along, occasionally flirting with a cool concept or two, but never exploring it. The effects are terrible and the acting all over the place. I could have forgiven either if there had been a good story.

Even alien hunting Ben Cross with a shotgun didn't counteract that crap.