The Love it or Hate it Cult Film

Rating: 8/10 (19 January 2008)

Rest assured, most of us have a detailed assumption of the production troubles David Fincher had to endure making this film. I am one of those damn fans that defends Alien 3 as a highly stylized above the norm sci fi flick, that whilst not falling into the title of masterpiece, is still a brilliant exercise in the darker pleasures of cinema. Alien 3 is an anti climax, or perhaps Aliens was so climatic that there was no need for another sequel. Accepted on its own terms however this may well be a hidden gem of the 90's sci fi cinema.
Yes Hollywood is run by the dollar but Alien 3 is a story within a story, the gritty, gun less battle between the nadir of mankind and a lone Xenomorph. It is also Fincher Vs. Fox, the question which may never be answered is: did he save a disaster of film from being a total disaster or did he escape the hands of his accommodates with a stylish but flawed above par mood piece. Out of personal preference I like to think of the second option. Fincher did bring the most creatively shot film to the franchise, and Alien 3 is also the blueprint for Fincher's later artist success's such as his most known works "Se7en" and "Fight Club".
The characters in the theatrical release are indeed at times confusing to tell apart, but the films main supporting leads are well drawn out and acted by excellent turns from Charles Dance and Charles S. Dutton . Dances character, Clemens does seem underused but as the franchise has frequently shown us, even the strongest of leads can become the creatures next victim. The take no prisoners aspect of Alien 3 works much better than many of its genres other titles surprisingly. The proof is in the visceral impact Fincher allows you to intake, and make no mistake, Alien 3 is not a feel good film. Weaver gives a restrained but affectionate portrayal to the Ripley character, and in the films emotionally climatic ending some can understand that the restrained performance was a good compliment to it.
In terms of Art direction the film is a complete success, especially if one views the assembly cut. It's also always a good thing to have the talented Mr H.R Giger at the helm when designing the runner. So how about the Alien in this film, well he certainly is the most unpleasant the franchise has to offer, and its to Finchers credit that his damp and lonely shots of the "Fury" capture some of the spark the original Alien possessed. The fear is not in the jumps that the audience receives but in the ominous tone of the film as you just don't know where the creature is lurking. Plot holes are also indeed little, a big misunderstanding about a movie like this is the shouting of the words "plot" and "hole" unless your personal opinion on events is compromised there isn't much left unexplained.
One of the complaint's about Alien 3 is its CGI, as this was a movie to use some of the first early CGI techniques of the 90's, however weak shots of the creatures CGI are short and in-between. Perhaps my biggest grievance lies in the pacing of the films near final 10 minutes, Fincher does manage to create a kinetic energy to hide this flaw however and the ending of the film also makes these 10 minutes redeemable. Final consensus of this film is in my opinion a high one, I long made peace with it's first 15 opening minutes and concentrated on the substance of the film as a whole. Alien 3 is a strong and satisfying ending to a brilliant franchise ..if you allow it to be in the most honest of manners.