Alien : Romulus *****

Starring : Isabela Merced, Cailee Spaeny, Archie Renaux, David Jonsson, Aileen Wu, Spike Fearn,Robert Boboczkyi and Daniel Betts

Director : Fede Alvarez

Certification Rating Certificate : 15

Duration Running Time : { 1 Hour 59 Minutes } [119 Mins]

Distribution : 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox), Scott Free Productions, Brandywine Productions

'ALIEN' is in fact classed as 'A SCIENCE FICTION AND ALSO AN ACTION MEDIA FRANCHISE' that's centred on Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), a Warrant Officer, and her extreme battles with an 'EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE-FORM' that's simply known or also commonly known as the 'ALIEN' (''THE XENOMORPH '') and also 'THE PREQUEL SERIES' to the 'SCIENCE-FICTION' MOVIE FRANCHISE - which follows the the ''EXPLOITS'' of the 'DAVID 8' character known simply as 'DAVID' - this was an 'ANDROID' - 'a fictional character' (Michael Fassbender - a German/Irish actor) that was originally introduced in 'PROMETHEUS' (2012), directed by Sir Ridley Scott, also, just for the record, 'DAVID' in question, is in fact an 'ANDROID', whose unique jobs include the following : such as serving as a butler, a maintenance man, and also as surrogate son to Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce), his original creator, and also the 'ELDERLY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER' - 'C.E.O.' of Weyland Corporation, not forgetting 'THE CREATORS' of the eponymous creatures referred to as 'THE ENGINEERS'.

However, in order of his preparation to portray the character of 'DAVID 8' - the 'android' featured in the 'PROMETHEUS' series of movies, Fassbender, in question, had 'NOT ONLY AVOIDED' watching the main 'android' characters that were featured in the 'FIRST TWO ALIEN MOVIES' (1979 & 1986), and had 'INSTEAD' by simply studying 'THE REPLICANTS' that were featured in 'BLADE RUNNER (1982), directed by Sir 'RIDDERS', with a unique focus on the character of Rachael - courtesy by actress Sean Young, - whose unique 'vacancy' and also longing for a soul - had in fact - interested him.

Fassbender, had also drew the inspiration from the 'ORIGINAL VOICE' of 'HAL 9000' computer - courtesy of Douglas Rain in '2001 : A SPACE ODYSSEY' (1968), directed by Stanley Kubrick, and featuring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester and also Leonard Rossiter, the star of the tv series 'RISING DAMP' as Rupert Rigsby, the lecherous landlord, and also based on 'THE SENTINEL' (not the 1977 supernatural film directed by Michael Winner and featuring Cristina Raines, Chris Sarandon, Ava Gardner, Burgess Meredith, Sylvia Miles and even Eli Wallach - nor is it the 2006 'political action thriller' directed by Clark Johnson and featuring Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Eva Longoria, and also Kim Basinger - but the 1951 original 'short-story' by Arthur C.Clarke), and also 'THE FUNNY WALK AND ALSO THE ECONOMY OF MOVEMENT' by Greg Louganis, an Olympic diver, who incidentally won 'GOLD' at the 'SUMMER OLYMPICS' in 1984, in Los Angeles, USA, (the next games will take place in the Summer of 2028, in Los Angeles, USA, for only 'THE THIRD TIME') and also the 'SUMMER OF OLYMPICS' in 1998, 'four years later' in Seoul, South Korea, plus the unique performances of the legendary David Bowie in 'THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH', originally released back in 1976, directed by Nicolas Roeg, adapted by Paul Mayersberg, and also based on the novel by Walter Tevis, originally published back in 1963, and whose other novels notably 'THE HUSTLER' originally published in 1959, this was his debut novel and also 'THE COLOR OF MONEY' originally published in 1984 were also turned into 'BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES'.

The film version of 'THE HUSTLER', directed by Robert Rossen, was released in movie theaters back in 1961, and featured Paul Newman, as '' FAST-EDDIE'' FELSON, a small-time pool hustler who challenges 'MINNESOTA FATS' (Jackie Gleason), a legendary pool player.

'THE HUSTLER' in question, was in fact classed as 'A MAJOR AND ALSO A CRITICAL POPULAR SUCCESS' and also 'GAINING A UNIQUE REPUTATION AS A MODERN CLASSIC', but also that its 'UNIQUE EXPLORATION THAT CONSISTS OF WINNING, LOSING, AND ALSO A UNIQUE CHARACTER' had also garnered 'A UNIQUE NUMBER OF MAJOR FILM AWARDS' throughout, but also, that, 'IT IS ALSO CREDITED WITH HELPING TO SPARK A UNIQUE RESURGENCE IN THE POPULARITY OF THE GAME OF POOL'.

While 'THE COLOR OF MONEY' originally released in 1986, and also directed by Martin Scorsese sees Newman 'reprising' his role as 'FAST-EDDIE FELSON' - who this time has given up 'playing pool' and is now working as a successful liquor salesman working in 'THE WINDY CITY OF CHICAGO', and it is that at this time when he encounters Vincent Lauria (Tom Cruise), a pool hustler who Felson befriends and also mentors him - the film also features Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Carmen, his girlfriend, (and no it isn't either the hair products, nor even the opera, written by Georges Bizet, the French composer) and also features Helen Shaver as Janelle, the girlfriend of 'FAST EDDIE'.

Meanwhile, the 'SCI-FI FILMS' in question, were produced and also distributed by '20TH CENTURY FOX' (now known as '20TH CENTURY STUDIOS'), the series of movies began with 'ALIEN' (1979), directed by Sir Ridley Scott, and was followed by at least 'THREE SEQUELS' - notably 'ALIENS' (1986), directed by James Cameron; then 'ALIEN 3' (1992), directed by David Fincher, and also 'ALIEN RESURRECTION' (1997), directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, but Scott, in question, had also directed 'ALIEN: COVENANT (2017), these were known as the 'PREQUEL FILM SERIES' to the 'ALIEN FILM FRANCHISE'.

Now, 'THE SERIES' in question, has in fact led to the following products : - such as 'NOVELS', 'COMICS', 'VIDEO GAMES', and even 'AN UP-AND-COMING TV SERIES' - entitled as 'ALIEN : EARTH', which has been 'DEVELOPED BY SCOTT' himself for 'FX NETWORKS LLC' on 'HULU' with Noah Hawley, and it has of course, has in fact, developed - 'A UNIQUE NUMBER OF 'SPIN-OFF'S' -most notably the 'ALIEN vs PREDATOR' series - this is uniquely classed as a 'SCIENCE-FICTION, ACTION and also a HORROR' franchise series originally created by Randy Stradley and also Chris Warner - who ironically happen to be 'TWO COMIC-BOOK WRITERS'.

Now, the 'ALIEN vs PREDATOR' SERIES - is actually classed as a 'CROSSOVER' that's 'BETWEEN' and is also part of - 'THE LARGER ALIEN AND ALSO PREDATOR' franchises - by simply 'DEPICTING THE TWO SPECIES' - notably - 'XENOMORPH' ('ALIEN) and also 'YAUTJA' ('PREDATOR') - this is as part of - AS SIMPLY BEING IN CONTACT WITH ONE ANOTHER - just think of it as part of 'ONE OF THE GREATEST DOUBLE ACTS' such as 'ANT and DEC' - the shirt-lifting joined at the hip duo from Newcastle Upon Tyne, maybe its Andrew Pierce and Kevin Maguire - these are two consulting journalists/news editors/wanna be tv stars from rival newspapers such as 'THE DAILY MAIL' and also 'THE DAILY MIRROR' or could it be 'GUY & NEIL' these are simply classed as the nicest dipstick-knob head gents from the 'RESALE DEPARTMENT' and working together for an international sign company located in an undisclosed area - one is a 'DIE-HARD' Manchester United fan and the other describes himself as a 'CLOSET PRESTON NORTH END FAN' and wanting 'that dream job' to become the Manager of 'ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE' - the gateway to Blackpool - and also the birthplace of Andrew 'ARE YOU READY FREDDIE' Flintoff, the former Lancashire cricketer - only to realise that a certain Gareth Southgate, the former England Manager who led his team to 'TWO BACK-TO-BACK- EURO-FINALS' - 'AND ALSO LOST THEM BOTH SIMPLY BY BECOMING 'RUNNERS-UP' with only a 'RUNNERS UP MEDAL' that was purchased on various antique emporiums originally owned by 'ONE DAVID DICKINSON' - aka 'THE BRONZED DUKE' complete with a fake tan and also the star of the tv series 'DICKINSON'S REAL DEAL' (other antique shows featuring various antique dealers are also available on various tv channels throughout)has got his eye of the job in hand (and which that he 'REALLY REALLY WANTS') OF ALL-TIME.

The 'ALIEN'/ 'PREDATOR' franchise simply began as a 'COMIC BOOK SERIES' back in 1989, before being 'adapted' into a 'VIDEO GAME SERIES'- and like 'the ALIEN franchise' they too were produced and distributed by '20TH CENTURY FOX' (now known as '20TH CENTURY STUDIOS') - 'THE FILM SERIES'- in question had begun with 'ALIEN vs PREDATOR' (2004), directed by Paul W.S.Anderson, and was followed by 'ALIEN vs PREDATOR : REQUIEM' (2007), three years later directed by 'THE BROTHERS STRAUSE' (Greg and Colin), but that there was also a 'DEVELOPMENT' of 'A THIRD MOVIE' - which by the way, has been 'DELAYED' indefinitely, but also that 'THE SERIES' in question, has also led to numerous items such as 'NOVELS', 'COMICS', and also 'VIDEO GAME' spin-offs such as 'ALIEN vs PREDATOR' - (the video game) originally released back in 2010.

So now, before I give you my personal review of 'ALIEN : ROMULUS' - let's recap about the sci-fi franchise series so far.

Well to begin with there was 'ALIEN' (1979), directed by Scott himself - and which also saw the 'NOSTROMO' space trawler containing at least 'SEVEN PEOPLE' on board the spacecraft including the following : Dallas, (Tom Skerritt), the captain of the Nostromo, Kane, (Sir John Hurt),the executive officer who incidentally becomes 'THE HOST' for the Alien, Ripley, (Sigourney Weaver), the warrant officer aboard the Nostromo, Lambert, (Veronica Cartwright), the Nostromo's navigator, Parker, (Yaphet Kotto), the chief engineer, Brett, (Harry Dean Stanton), the engineering technician, and also Ash, (Sir Ian Holm), the ship's science officer, who, by the way, is 'REVEALED' to be 'AN ANDROID', anyway, the 'NOSTROMO'S space trawler touches down on (LV-426), a distant planet, only for a crew member to get jumped by a 'PARASITIC SPIDER-CRAB' and also 'SPAWN THE XENOMORPH - THAT KILLS EVERYONE ABOARD' - 'EXCEPT ONE' - notably Ellen Ripley, however, at the end of 'ALIEN' the 'FIRST INSTALMENT' of the 'SCI-FI FRANCHISE FILM SERIES' - Ripley, in question, and also along with Jonesy - the cat, simply puts herself into 'HYPERSLEEP' and heads for Earth.

But in 'ALIENS' (1986), directed by James Cameron, this was described as an 'EPIC GUNG-HO-ADVENTURE' featuring the likes of Paul Reiser, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, Carrie Henn, Jenette Goldstein and also Bill Paxton in supporting roles,Ripley,(Weaver -reprising her role for only 'THE SECOND TIME') our heroine, finally 'AWAKES' after at least 'FIFTY-SEVEN YEARS' lost in space - only to discover that 'LV-426'- is now 'THE SITE OF A TERRAFORMING COLONY' for the 'NEFARIOUS WEYLAND-YUTANI' Corporation, and sure enough, the 'XENOS' in question - have in fact - slaughtered the 'COLONISTS', and also prompting Ripley, in question, to return with a squad of 'SPACE MARINES' and also 'SIMPLY LET RIP', and that the 'FRANCHISE' in question, had continued and also rolled on with 'ALIEN 3' (1992), directed by David Fincher, and is also 'SET IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SECOND INSTALMENT' - where Ripley -(Weaver) reprising her role for only 'THE THIRD TIME' - and also an 'ALIEN ORGANISM' - they are the only survivors of the Colonial Marine spaceship 'SULACO' following an escape pod's crash on a unique planet housing a penal colony that's populated by a 'VIOLENT MALE INMATES' by including the following such as Charles Dance, Brian Glover, Charles S.Dutton, Ralph Brown, Paul McGann,(both Brown and McGann had starred in 'WITHNAIL AND I' back in 1986, which also featured Richard E.Grant - however, Fincher, in question, had initially offered the role to Grant, and was also hoping to reunite with both Brown and also McGann) Danny Webb, Lance Henriksen (the voice of the damaged 'Bishop -Android' as well as playing a unique character that simply credited as 'BISHOP II' and who appears in ''SPOILER ALERT'' - the film's final scenes) Holt McCallany, Pete Postlethwaite and also Danielle Redmond as Rebecca 'Newt' Jordan - the young child originally portrayed by Henn.

This was followed in 1997, when 'ALIEN : RESURRECTION' - 'THE FOURTH INSTALMENT' directed by Jean-Pierre Junot, with Weaver, who for only 'THE FOURTH TIME' had reprised her role as Ripley, - and that in this film which was 'SET AT LEAST TWO HUNDRED YEARS AFTER 'ALIEN 3' - but this time Ripley is 'CLONED' and also that 'AN ALIEN QUEEN' is in fact 'SURGICALLY REMOVED' from her body, however, the 'UNITED SYSTEMS MILITARY' - 'USM' - hopes to breed the Aliens - basically to study and also do the research on the spaceship - notably - the 'USM AURIGA', using 'HUMAN HOSTS' abducted and also delivered to them by a group of mercenaries, featuring a star-studded cast including Winona Ryder (remember her) as Annalee Call - the newest crew member of the 'BETTY' as well as Ron Perlman, Dan Hedaya, James E. Freeman, Brad Dourif, Michael Wincott and also Dominique Pinon, but also that the 'ALIENS' in question, escape their enclosures, and that Ripley and also the mercenaries attempt to escape and also destroy the 'AURIGA' before it reaches Earth, just before the franchise film series rewinds itself ''BACK IN TIME'' with at least 'PREQUELS' such as 'PROMETHEUS' (2012), 'THE FIFTH INSTALMENT' co-produced and also directed by Scott, with the screenplay co-written by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof - and also features an all-star cast which apart from Michael Fassbender and Guy Pearce, the cast also included the following such as Logan Marshall-Green, Noomi Rapace, Idris Elba, and also Charlize Theron.

Now the 5th part of the franchise, is set in the late '21ST CENTURY' where the film in question, centres on the crew of the spaceship 'PROMETHEUS', as it follows 'A STAR MAP' (however don't worry as this isn't a remake of 'MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN') that's simply discovered among the 'artefacts' of several ancients earth cultures, and no it ain't the messiah that they're looking for as he's been a very naughty boy which probably means that it could be Huw Edwards, once the golden-boy fantasy Welsh-born pin-up former news-reader - ie : the 'MAIN ANCHOR' of BBC NEWS who at around 'TEN O'CLOCK' on weekdays - simply delivered the daily news to millions of tv viewers when he shouldn't be 'PULLING HIS PUD' that's uniquely underneath his desk (other news channels are also available) and now his golden crown is completely f***** and also ruined his tv career and is soon about to enter 'the dark side' of a prison cell and that his reputation is in 'TATTERS' because he's soon about to 'SERVE HIS PRISON SENTENCE - AND ALSO SHARE HIS CELL - WITH AN 'UNDER-AGE RENT-BOY', this will probably be a 'FLY ON THE WALL' documentary and shown on 'BBC THREE' - however seeking the origins of humanity, the crew in question, arrives on a distant world and also discovering a unique threat that could cause the unique extinction of the human species.

And then there's 'ALIEN: COVENANT' (2017) directed and also produced by 'SIR RIDDERS' himself - which is also happens to be 'PART SIX' of the franchise, but not only does it feature Fassbender reprising his role as 'DAVID' - THE ANDROID' but also features the likes of Katherine Waterson, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride and also Demian Bichir in supporting roles as it follows the crew of a colony ship that lands on an uncharted planet - and also in the process makes - a terrifying discovery.

So now, in 2024, 'FORTY-FIVE YEARS' later since 'ALIEN' - 'THE FIRST INSTALMENT OF THE SCIENCE-FICTION FILM SERIES' began showing in many movie theaters worldwide - and also terrifying 'movie audiences' around the world we now have 'ALIEN : ROMULUS - this is in fact classed as 'THE SEVENTH INSTALMENT IN THE FRANCHISE FILM SERIES' - and is also classed as 'SEQUEL' to 'ALIEN' and also a 'PREQUEL' to 'ALIENS'.

The 'FRANCHISE' in question, is helmed by Fede álvarez, a 'NEWBIE', who brings along his own distinct pedigree, and that Alvarez who describes himself as a 'FULL-BLOODIED HORROR FILM DIRECTOR' who's also responsible behind 'EVIL DEAD' (the 2013 'remake horror version of the 1981 AMERICAN INDEPENDENT SUPERNATURAL HORROR MOVIE - directed by Sam Raimi, and also 'DON'T BREATHE' (originally released back in 2013) and who's also keen to return 'ALIEN' to the claustrophobia of Scott's 1979 original, and who also by the way that Scott (or even Sir Ridders) in question, happens to be the producer of this latest instalment.

His unique script, which is in fact co-written by Rodo Sayagues, centres on the desperate young residents of a mining colony (think 'OUTLAND' the 'SPACE-EPIC' originally released back in 1981 - described as 'HIGH NOON' in outer space and also featured Sir Sean Connery as W.T.O'Neill, a federal Marshal - the original character that Gary Cooper performed as the Marshal in Fred Zinnemann's time-less 1952 classic entitled as 'HIGH NOON') and also where 'GAS-LEAKS' and also 'LUNG-DISEASE' throughout, have not only 'DECIMATED THEIR FAMILIES', but also that 'WEYLAND-YUTANI - (the corporation behind all things nefarious in the 'ALIEN UNIVERSE') - have in fact - 'IMPRISONED THEM' - in an unbreakable contracts.

Anyway, a small crew that consists of the following people - notably - Rain (Spaeny), an orphan, Andy (Jonsson), her father's android, and also that who also in question has come to see as a brother, Tyler (Renaux), her ex, Kay (Merced) his sister, and also a unique couple consisting of Bjorn (Fearn), and also Navarro (Wu), - escape to the remote planet's outer rings and also a decommissioned space station - complete with the hypersleep chambers necessary to flee - and also begin to start 'A NEW LIFE'.

Unfortunately, there lies a unique problem (as you do) when the place in question - is infested with 'XENOMORPHS' - these are the highly evolved, acid-blooded murder machines whose only instinct is to 'ENACT' the Freudian reproductive horror on all 'LIFE FORMS' that are located within their reach.

Alvarez also accurately replicates the unreal beauty and also the majestic scope of Scott's 'SCIENCE-FICTION WORLDS', thanks to the minimalist clutter of Naaman Marshall, a production designer, whose unique interiors, the analogue beeps, and also the unique clicks of the film's sound design, not forgetting the powerful music score of Benjamin Wallfisch, which also gives a unique nod to both Jerry Goldsmith's (the true godfather of the original music score - and also the uniquely original creator of 'THE FANFARE' - THE ORIGINAL AND ALSO THE MOST POWERFUL SCORE THAT INTRODUCES 'THE FORMER 20TH CENTURY FOX AND NOW 20TH CENTURY STUDIOS LOGO' - BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MOVIE)' as well as James Horner, and whose both contributions to the 'CINEMA MUSIC SCORES' to both 'ALIEN' and also 'ALIENS' respectively.

But also that 'ALIEN: ROMULUS' too, which also touches on the uniquely on the FRANCHISE'S SERIES'S of ideas of 'WHAT LIES AHEAD - between - 'THE HISTORY OF 'MAN', 'MONSTER' and also 'THE MACHINE' - but also - 'THE NATURAL' and 'THE UNNATURAL' - but also while Spaeny (brilliant as the young journalist in 'CIVIL WAR' - which you can also read about it - exclusively on this platform) makes for a fine new 'REINCARNATION' of Ellen Ripley, a Warrant Officer, but also that Jonsson as well, are the unique standouts who both shine out very clearly in this film.

The character of Andy - 'THE ANDROID' - portrayed by Jonsson, is in fact, radically different to the character of Ash (portrayed by Holm) and also the character of David (portrayed by Fassbender), are all radically different, but also that Jonsson, the young actor, also shares in their unique 'fine-tuned' ability to simply control the expressions and also in order to simply signal a unique shift in either a thought or even a demeanour.

'ALIEN : ROMULUS' is also simply classed as a 'NUTS-AND-BOLTS-HORROR-ADVENTURE-ACTION-STORY', and that it simply doesn't have not only much on its mind, - but also that it does has 'SOME UNIQUELY GOOD JUMP SCARES' - along with also a disappointingly bland heroine, also a sympathetic android, and also the usual collection of various characters throughout, that are also disposable characters - who by the way are unduly 'KILLED' by slavering, rampaging extraterrestrials.

But also yet that the 'CALLBACKS' and also the 'REFERENCES' start to simply stack up by 'ALIEN' directed by Sir 'RIDDERS' - and also 'ALIENS' directed by Cameron (that's James and not David - the former British PM and also the Foreign Secretary) plus 'PROMETHEUS' - the 'PREQUEL' to the 'FRANCHISE' series, that's also directed by Scott, who by the way has been a very busy man who with the release of 'NAPOLEON' the 2023 version starring Joaquin Phoenix, as the emperor of France, and which you can 'READ ALL ABOUT IT' exclusively only on this platform and also 'GLADIATOR II' featuring Denzel Washington,Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen reprising her role as Lucilla which is released in movie theaters in November, (just in time for Thanksgiving and also having a turkey sandwich or two - just by simply digesting the body) and no doubt that this will also be reviewed exclusively on this platform and also this as well.

'ROMULUS' in question, was in fact created in a direct response with 'COVENANT' - the 'LAST ALIEN FILM' THAT WAS RELEASED IN 2017, to 'POOR BOX-OFFICE' and also to 'MIXED REVIEWS - which is as quite exciting seeing various cooks appearing on various tv shows throughout and also performing their unique craft and having a 'COOK-OFF' with each other and also declaring with each other 'WHO IS THE MOST EXCITING DISH' and also to say 'THAT I REALLY ENJOYED THIS LATEST INSTALMENT IN THE FRANCHISE SERIES', specifically as a feverish collision between that eldritch horror (but more like an accurately account and also described here as an eldritch panic) and also a 'FRANKENSTEIN' story in which 'SPOILER ALERT' that the monster in question simply takes its revenge.

This is a wonderful epic blockbuster of a spectacular space movie epic {nearly two hours} from Alvarez himself who's also a 'DIE HARD FAN OF THE SERIES FRANCHISE' that's just simply 'OUT OF THIS WORLD' and that Alvarez simply invites movie audiences watching this by experiencing an epic adventure and also watching on the 'BIGGEST MOVIE SCREEN' on the entire planet and that I originally saw this in 'IMAX' described by many as 'THE 'MOTHERF*****' of all formats, but that there's spectacular special effects, stunning cinematography, and also plenty of cutting-edge editing throughout that'll have you gripped at the edge of your cinema seat from start to finish - and also that if you hear some strange noises lurking about - for heaven's sake don't worry as its one of those strange creatures lurking around and known to many as 'SWIFTIES'- that are smartly dressed in their unique outfits and also wearing their charm bracelets - and who are desperately searching for their leader - unaware that she's in an undisclosed location - and counting out her well earned cash from her recent 'ERA'S WORLD TOUR' - for this is one of those late summer/early autumn blockbuster that's well-worth seeing in movie theaters worldwide and also one that you simply have to see - before you die

AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE AND ONE THAT'S NOT TO BE MISSED ON THE BIG SCREEN WHERE IT DESERVES TO BE SEEN - JUST FOR 'THE FULL-ON' 'SUPER-CHARGED' TURBO CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE'

DON'T MISS IT !

David M.G.Mitchell