Better than expected: As good as hoped?

Rating: 10/10 (30 September 1998)

Perhaps it had something to do with Alien3 - a badly shot, confused film set in what looked like a large Victorian Toilet. But I went to see the (apparently) last installment of the Alien series with no expectations whatsoever.
Better than expected:
The Ripley of Resurrection is - in a word - dangerous. Her character changes quite a few times dring the film, from brooding to laconic to furious to distraught to plain nasty: all with an undercurrent of something menacing beneath the surface, like a dorsal fin on a heavy sea. This is the best performance that Sigourney has ever done in the entire series. Her support is also quite good - from the Gucci-ceries carrying a hijacked crew in suspended animation to use as carriers for the Alien young to the Conscienceless Scientists and Military aboard the Warship. And now to the important part - The Aliens themselves. After the god-awful obviously computer animated alien of the last film, we are finally back into Geiger-esque territory - and none too soon. The Alien warriors have undergone yet more modifications. They are more streamlined and inhuman looking. More importantly they move in a realistic fashion which does'nt look as if the camera was merely overcranked. (They're a bit more intelligent also!) The genetic prequels to a successful Ripley were Truly horrific and the discovery of the same was one of the few moments in film that have honestly put a shiver down my back. The storyline was a tad simplistic but perhaps that was for the best, with fewer gaps showing and allowing the film to progress at a fluid pace.
As good as hoped?
No. But considering the impact and flavour of the original film, (which despite the effects looking dated today, it is still the most powerful and believable film of the four) I certainly was not disappointed - In fact I think I'll see it again - Soon.
Dan