Not deserving of so much hatred.

Rating: 7/10 (24 July 2012)

Granted, the first two movies in this franchise would have been a tough act to follow, and this movie doesn't offer us much that we hadn't seen before, but it's still unfairly vilified in this reviewer's humble opinion. Story picks up as Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley crash lands on a truly desolate planet at the ass end of the universe, used as a prison facility populated by various unsavoury characters. Once again, a xenomorph must be battled, but we're going back to basics in a way, as it's only the one monster brutalizing individuals left and right in this case. David Fincher, making his feature directing debut here after having worked on music videos, maintains an incredibly bleak vision from start to finish. (It's certainly true that there are elements here that are going to come across as major bummers to some audience members.) The picture returns to the visual style of the first film in one sense in that the aspect ratio is once again 2.35:1. Visuals are appropriately stark and special effects are generally good; owing to the way this particular alien is brought into the world, its movement is even more animal like than usual and there is camera-work representing alien p.o.v. shots that is extremely striking. Now, it's true enough that with so many of the characters being lowlifes - no matter if they have found God - that it's hard to feel much whether they're alive or dead. There are exceptions, of course: Charles S. Dutton has a commanding presence as Dillon, the top con, and Charles Dance is given far and away the most interesting role in the whole thing as the medical officer with the dubious past and who makes a connection with Ripley. Lance Henriksen makes a token appearance reprising his role of the android Bishop (and has a second role as well), and the strong, mostly British supporting cast features capable performers such as Paul McGann, Brian Glover, Ralph Brown, Danny Webb, and Pete Postlethwaite. The screenplay, overall, (credited to Larry Ferguson and longtime series producers David Giler & Walter Hill) may be somewhat formulaic but the movie still delivers in a visceral way. What's recommended is seeing the two hours and 25 minute long assembly cut as it fleshes out the story and characters a bit more and it's a more intriguing experience than the theatrical version. While clearly this entry is not going to be for all series fans, it's got its moments, and at the very least starts off on a nice ominous note with its spin on the Fox Fanfare theme and its opening credits. Seven out of 10.