Alien: Romulus

Childhood Memories

My first encounter with the Alien franchise was at Grandma Hazel’s house. Aunt Dee and Mom had a rule: I could watch until I got scared, then it was off to bed. Naturally, I started watching during the infamous chest-bursting sequence. It was a terrifying yet thrilling introduction to a world that would captivate me for years.

Teenage Obsession

Fast forward to 1986, and I saw Aliens in the theater a staggering twelve times. My first viewing was with friends Chris Gates and Sean Johnston. Each time, the film’s intensity and action drew me back, solidifying my love for the franchise.

Family Reactions

Pa had his own take on the movie. While he enjoyed it, he couldn’t help but comment on the amount of smoking in the film, questioning its logic in a space setting. His observations added a humorous layer to my experience.

Things I Loved

1. Being Back in This World: The familiarity of the Alien universe was like returning home.
2. Opening Credits: Seeing the old Helvetica Black font brought a wave of nostalgia.
3. The Music: Pulsating and intense, it was reminiscent of Tangerine Dream.
4. Jackson’s Star Colony: The Catch-22 situation added depth to the story.
5. X-Ray Wand: Its use with Navarro was a clever touch.
6. Firefight and Acid Dance: This scene was a visual and emotional highlight.
7. Andy (David Jonsson): His reboot in the water with Facehuggers was unforgettable.
8. Rook: The synthetic with Ian Holm’s face was a brilliant nod to the original.

Things I Liked

1. Suspense: The film kept me on the edge of my seat.
2. Grossness and Horror: The vile nature of the horror was both repulsive and fascinating.
3. Practical Effects: The use of puppets over CGI gave the Aliens a tangible presence.
4. Character Adaptation: The quick understanding and adaptation to the world’s rules by the characters was impressive.
5. New Faces: A fresh cast brought new energy to the film.
6. Callbacks: Over a dozen references to previous Alien movies delighted long-time fans.
7. Romulus/Remus Connection: The mythological reference added an intriguing layer.
8. Facehuggers: Their hunter/killer behavior was chilling.

Things I Hated

1. Children and Spacecraft: The idea of children having access to a spacecraft and not using it to escape was absurd.
2. Jackson’s Star Inhabitants: The lack of action from the 2,000+ people on Jackson’s Star was unrealistic.
3. First 30 Minutes: The story only picked up after reaching Romulus/Remus.
4. Bjorn (Spike Fearn): His performance felt out of place.
5. Human/Xenomorph Offspring: I preferred the Predators over the hybrid concept.
6. Video Game Feel: The movie sometimes felt more like a video game, with Rook acting as a narrator.

My journey with the Alien franchise has been a mix of fear, excitement, and nostalgia. From childhood memories at Grandma Hazel’s house to countless theater viewings, Alien has been a significant part of my life. Despite some flaws, the latest installment continues to captivate and entertain, proving that this iconic series still has plenty of life left in it.