Alien 3 (1992)There are some franchises out there that always manage to give back something with each new viewing. In terms of this one, I am continually amazed at how Ridley Scott manages a mysterious mood of suspense and tension with the first outing, James Cameron created a great standalone sequel filled with exciting action, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet's sensibilities were wasted on a needlessly violent and unnecessary film. However, when it comes to this outing, I tend to be at a loss. There's good elements and bad elements, and combined with some devastating background information, make this a somewhat indecisive film.
I guess I should offer apologies if you haven't seen the first or second film, but by the simple fact that there were three sequels, I'm guessing you've already figured out that Ripley makes it in the end of them. At the end of the second film, Ripley, her Marine friend Hicks, the little girl Newt and the robot Bishop escape the aliens and drift away once again in hyper-sleep. Too bad they didn't know facehuggers were on board, breaking into the pods, causing damage to the ship which leads it to crash on a prison colony. Hicks and Newt are killed, leaving Ripley to fend for herself among the male dominated prison. Matters only get worse when an alien is born from an animal on the planet that was met with another facehugger.
In order to fully understand this film, it is important to know some of the backstory behind the film. This was a movie that was born out of a release date even before a script, leaving the production to be pressured underneath scheduling, studio interference and creative differences. This was the feature film debut of the now legendary David Fincher, and when you watch the film, you definitely pick up his dark nihilism that has perpetuated his entire career. In his early stages, Fincher does find the right amount of beautiful bleakness, impressive art design and a sinister score from ace composer Elliot Goldenthal.
Unfortunately, you can't help but imagined a compromised vision here, leading the plot to veer on a meandering path, the tone become muddled and the action to be a chaotic mess with no motivation behind it. The alien this time doesn't have the same menacing premise and instead feels like a generic movie monster. The story sucks out any emotional impact that could have been had since all of Ripley's companions are dead. We are instead forced to make bonds with a group of men who all carry the same bald, grimy look with English accents. The only man who does have somewhat of a connection to Ripley is killed quite early on in the film. It's bad storytelling from top to bottom that squanders all good will that came before it.
It's also apparent that Weaver is phoning it in here. She looks bored in this movie and doesn't present any energy or fascination with this character. Even in the abominable fourth entry she tried something different to distinguish herself. Here, there's nothing of the sort, and the support players are just as bland. Everyone is playing a character type and none of them are memorable in the least. This could have been a beefy ensemble, but instead they're as dull as the film's color pallet.
I love the first two films and hate the fourth one. When it comes to this one, it's hard to say. That's because, in actuality, there is no Alien 3. The film that everyone initially set out to make does not exist. What does exist is a visual representation of all the high emotions, ill feelings, fatigue and studio pressure to hurriedly complete a film in order to turn a profit. Fincher has since disowned the film, and it's easy to imagine why. The making-of documentary on the "Alien Quadrilogy" offered a comprehensive look on this film that is much more interesting than anything that was filmed. It's a shame, considering that the potential for this film could have only been seen in hindsight.
C
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