Glad I bothered

Rating: Null/10 (24 November 2004)

Understand and accept all the comments and criticisms of AVP. But when I finally saw it last night (alone, the only person in the entire theatre!) I actually rather enjoyed it. For all the ludicrous hokum of the script and set-up/back story at least there were some ideas on screen, unlike, say the very limited scope of Alien Resurrection. I also found the way the story, such as it is, resolves more satisfying than Resurrection. I agree that the fight sequences are somewhat inconsequential. For all that, some nice dramatic ideas, especially the pyramid reconfiguring - certainly more inventive than the confusing chase/decoy climax of Alien 3. The face hugger scenes are suitably horrible and the Predator space ships satisfy. Given the script, thought the cast did well. Was not convinced about Sana'a Latham until she played the more intense scenes (the brief moments where she starts to lose her nerve, or has no lines at all to work with in the climax). Good job. Also enjoyed the all too brief appearance of Agathe De La Boulaye. Bit of a franchise tradition here for me, prematurely killing off characters (John Hurt, Charles Dance) who I think are working well in the movie. I'd say the real victim of the movie are xenomorphs - inside the pyramid, they are not nearly nightmarish enough. Having said that (and not wishing too give away too much) the scenes near the end with whale bones work stand comparison with other memorable moments in the franchise. It's much more a Predator movie (and I didn't like either of the originals).On its own terms, as a B-movie, without AVP is enjoyable. Come on Ridley - let's have Alien World.