This is one of the rare instances where I need to clarify which version of the film I’m writing about. In this case I’m reviewing the theatrical cut of Alien 3, as the assembly cut isn’t on Disney+. Another time perhaps.
Quickly explaining why the assembly cut is not called a directors cut will give some useful context. David Fincher has disavowed his debut feature and wants as little to do with it possible after a torrid time working on it. Even before Fincher there were multiple writers and directors involved. There were even sets built which were made obsolete by script changes. You can’t blame Fincher for taking it on, though it was definitely a poison chalice. Fair play to him for standing up for himself and pushing back on the suits, even if it didn’t work a lot of the time. With all this in mind, it’s a wonder Alien 3 even got to cinemas.
There is one fundamental aspect of this film I don’t agree with, but there’s plenty to like too.
Alien 3 is dank, oppressive, and filled to the brim with English character actors. Going back to a single Xenomorph is a reasonable shout; you can’t just keep upping it. Ripley continues to bring out the leader in those she meets as she tries to discover what happened after LV-426. She’s selfless, driven, and smart. It brought out the best in Hicks, and it does in some of the prisoners on Fiorina ‘Fury’ 141. Weaver once again does a great job, but I really enjoy Charles S. Dutton as a reformed convict. He commands the screen and is a tough sunnavabitch to boot.
I like detective Ripley, and how she’s wise to the Alien’s tricks now. She’s fed up, has lost her family multiple times, and just wants to end it. Men are a bit stupid though, so it takes some persuading, and some kills, to get them onboard.
As I’ve now I’ve mentioned it lets dig into my fundamental disagreement. Now, the universe may be a cruel and uncaring place. That’s definitely a viewpoint. But to (spoilers!) take away Ripley’s newfound family immediately seems dumb/cruel. Keeping in mind that though there are years between the films, in story time Ripley has the first encounter, slept, worked and nightmared her way through some time before the next encounter, then slept again. It’s been no time at all for her. Hicks and Newt could have continued to be strong characters. It just feels brutal, as though the films can only distress her more and more.
It’s funny that despite the film’s derisive nature, it contains one of the most iconic visuals in film, which I had to pick out for this review’s header image.
The Xenomorph itself is an odd one. It taking on characteristics of its host is something I grew up with through the toys. Snake alien! Gorilla alien! It makes sense to me, so a quadrupedal alien scuttling around feels right. To my eye it seems to be inconsistent in its size, but POV shots of it chasing hapless prisoners are suitably chaotic. Keep in mind that this was released before Jurassic Park, so whilst the movement is presented very well, the juxtaposition of the practical and computer alien is jarring.
The first two Alien films are classics. They’re so strong that people automatically look down on everything else. But despite its troubled production and some shocking story decisions, Alien 3 is still a decent entry.
Be the first to comment