review by Silent J
Alien³ 1992
Watched May 03, 2012
Silent J’s review:
I loved Alien. I loved Aliens even more. I was really disappointing with Alien 3. The one thing that really disappointed me the most was that, aside from Signourey Weaver as Ripley, there are no other characters I liked or even cared about. The first two films had such likable characters and for there to be no one to really root for, it's kinda heartbreaking. Not only that but, while some special effects look good, others look blatantly cheesy. The script does'nt use the story nor the characters to their full potential and it all amount to a messy script. Above all else, the magic from the last few films just isn't there here. The thrills and chills just are'nt there from the last films. This was David Fincher's first film and thank god he improved because this is a huge misstep for him.
It's not that this is bad, even if it steers very close in that direction. It's just that it does'nt offer anything new. The first film was something new for everyone. I don't think a combination of sci-fi and horror was ever attempted beforehand. At least not executed to perfection the way it was in Alien. Aliens was even better by not only utilizing horror and sci-fi to it's advantage, but it added elements of superb action with great character development within a human drama. This film is just the same song and dance with a few twists (some work, some don't) which if you've been a huge fan of both Alien and Aliens, can get pretty old after a while. This had potential, but the weak script just kills the film that nearly killed the franchise.
I totally with what you've said about the characters in this film. There's a line from Ripley that pretty much sums this film up for me, "What makes you think they're gonna care about a bunch of lifers who found God at the ass-end of space?"
The "making-of" for the film is very interesting though. The different ideas they were throwing around (a wooden planet?) and how much interference David Fincher had to endure from the studio while making it.
The making of sounds like something I definetely need to check out.
Yeah, I don't blame Fincher very much for this. He hardly had a say in its making, compared to his later stuff. They almost didn't want to let him direct because he'd only done music videos until then (though I think they were very nice and atmospheric, for what its worth; I read he directed the vid for Englishman in New York, which I have always loved).
On that note, what I most enjoyed about this film was the atmosphere. I have a weakness for isolated groups of people living in Catholic craziness, defined by their insularity and paranoia, somewhat good but dubiously so... And the sets were great, and the lighting, the chains and sound effects... I really liked that part of the film.
I completely agree. I don't blame him either. It was his first feature film after all and he was still trying to find his schtick. I loved the suspense and atmosphere though. Much of it really worked, especially when the alien got up close and personal in Ripley's face; that sent chills down my spine.
I think the main problem was that script should never have been green lighted. Fincher did the best he could with what he had and was allowed to do.