Tags
2010s, Alien, Charlize Theron, Damon Lindelof, Dariusz Wolski, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green, Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, Prometheus, Ridley Scott, The Re-watch
“I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel…” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
The earliest ventures of Ridley Scott in the realm of science fiction delved deeply into the relationship of creator and creation, the inclusion of android life as a reflection of human beings own potential to replicate the work of gods and of their creation’s ability to turn on them, to question them, or demand answers of them. It’s an element more prevalent and poetic in Scott’s BLADE RUNNER than in ALIEN, but his 2012 prequel to the latter borrows aspects of both to create a squirm inducing horror-fest that also reaches for loftier ideas, though is far more successful in the former. A return to the genre he defined in the late 70s and early 80s that generated ample excitement prior to release, and myriad questions upon viewing, it’s still one of Scott’s best outings in the last ten years. It struggles to find decent footing, and occasionally relies too heavily on previous tropes from the series thus creating scenes that are sometimes more predictable than frightening, but once the wheels start turning and foreign bodies start using the humans as hosts for future destruction, Scott’s knack for terrifying anatomical grisliness is put on dazzling display. Even upon revisiting, foreknowledge of what transpires is not enough to prevent one from partially shielding their eyes during the most gruesome and sickening moments. It certainly bites off a whole lot more than it can chew, especially in ways that still aren’t completely satisfying in their relation to the rest of the ALIEN universe, but the methodology of the chewing is nauseating and still greatly entertaining. Continue reading