Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman
After Alien III’s failure to impress, the Alien franchise needed a shot in the arm --- instead, it wound up with a permanent black eye.
Such is the folly that is Alien: Resurrection, a melancholy indictment on Hollywood greed. Whilst exploiting the cheapest possible scenario to restore the Sigourney Weaver (Alien III) character of Ellen Ripley, the film twistes & writhe’s in agony, as it lurches from visually impressive, but ultimately hollow, action scene-to-action scene. The primary ingredient --- atmosphere --- has been completely removed, as aliens can be seen swimming freely through water & running down tunnels, as director Jean-Pierre Jeunet opts for excitement over tension.
It doesn’t work, & when he depict’s the aliens as intelligent & thoughtful, he completely contradict’s the creatures entire basis as fast-breeding, mindless insect-esque animals. Winona Ryder also makes a poor choice for such a film.
Ron Perlman (Blade II) is the only saving grace, he’s dogged & amusing, but he’s no saviour for this awkward, limp, & ultimately uninspired film.