***SPOILER***
I had a ton of fun with this movie. Fede Alvarez did a great job directing this new installment in the Alien universe. There’s just enough setup to anchor us in the setting and establish the challenges that Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and her friends are facing, which drive them off planet.
The major flaw, however, is the ending. I say this with full recognition of how challenging it must be to write a story years after the last installment, especially in today’s landscape, where respecting the franchise’s legacy is paramount.
Unfortunately, by tipping the hat to Prometheus, we end up with something… odd. Kay’s (Isabela Merced) Xenomorph offspring takes on an awkward, lanky version of the Engineers, with a cavity where genitalia might be (why was this even included?). It’s a bold choice, and while the audience might have accepted it, the film ‘jumps the shark’ when the creature begins to drain Kay of her life force. Xenomorph hatchlings have always burst from their hosts’ chests, not drained their blood or life force. This departure from the classic Xenomorph behavior feels jarring. If there were precedent for this, it likely would have made it into previous films.
In the end, this story choice somewhat undercuts the excellent buildup throughout the movie. Up until then, it was shaping up to be a fantastic entry in the Alien franchise.
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