The salvation of the epic saga!

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2012)

Say what you will, this installment definitely saved the saga from the premature demise that was almost engineered by Sigourney Weaver when she indulged in way too much PMS hostility toward the series while making Alien3.
The slaughter of all our darlings during the course of that film spelled desolation and oblivion for any hope of further sequels. But, lo and behold! Jeunet & company have done the impossible in a very houdinian escape from what looked like certain destruction with this film!
I say HOORAH!
Yes, it's very icky and slimy in its own way, but is that out of keeping with this tradition? Au contraire!
This film also has its own original brand of beauty and elegance, perhaps more than any other installment thus far.
Each installment makes its own special contribution: Alien=Atmosphere and suspense. Aliens=Action, adventure, and human interest. Resurrection=Visual effects and sheer creativity. Aliens3=Stupidity and forgettable-ness!
The character development is wonderful. Ripley as Alien/human hybrid is a revelation of sinister anti-heroism. The dialog is snappy and often very funny. Ron Perlman is also wonderful as the hulking merc who is devoid of etiquette.
I was so relieved when I saw this film! Once again, a great director adds his own genius to the anthology.
But I still regret that David Fincher didn't get his fair shot at contributing with Alien3. If only Ms. Weaver had been in a less bitchy frame of mind back then (sigh!)
Ah, well! As the French say, C'est la vie!