Resurrected by Whedon

Rating: 7/10 (5 July 2012)

While the first three installments were dark space creature tales stripped of all hope and mercy "Alien: Resurrection" changes the tone significantly. The fourth time around what we get is a sci fi actioner, a fun ride through space with aliens as a mere gimmick. Die hard alien heads might be unforgiving - and with good reason. If you don't care for the franchise but love yourself a gory laugh, you're in for a face hugging, chest bursting treat.
The atmosphere has changed and here is why: The Ripley of A4 is not the Ripley we once knew - for the simple fact that she's dead. Weaver is actually playing Ripley's clone number 8, a clone with a xenomorphic vengeance. Her blood is acid, her powers are strong. Aliens won't touch her as they consider Ripley as one of them. So... where's the suspense when we needn't worry about the heroine? Clone number 8 doesn't worry about itself very much either. Instead of a deadly serious, protective female what we get is a cynical, indifferent thing with super powers. That's fun to watch, but is it frighting? Is it breath taking? Is it menacing? Nah...
And then there's Dan Hedaya playing the boss of the space ship and the comic relief. But what it is he comically relieves us from is beyond me. His overacting is totally out of line and makes no sense, not even in Whedon's Alien universe. Good thing he's killed of quite soon.
Then we're manipulated in falling for Winona's character. Don't. Not worth it.
Ron Perlman and Leland Orser are mixing it up a little.
But there was no moment I wasn't somehow entertained. Nice action, disgusting creatures and tons of fun action sequences kept me awake after a hard day at the office.
If you know the feeling, you'll be able to enjoy this.