Alien³ (1992)

People with ADD won't like this one
It would seem that some "fans" of the Alien series would have preferred it if Hicks, Newt, and Ripley had ended up becoming one big, happy Alien-killing Brady Bunch.

Thankfully, Alien 3 ended any possibility of that nonsense.

Released in 1992, Alien 3 was an international success, but a critical failure, mainly because it was a dark, downbeat, and nihilistic horror film as opposed to a fun blow-em-up. The exciting and simplistic approach of James Cameron in Aliens is replaced by a gothic, methodical, and apocalyptic approach by David Fincher, who is much more of an visual artist than Cameron ever was or will be.

The fact is, Alien 3 restores the horror, cynicism, and hopelessness of Ridley Scott's Alien, all of which which was lost in Aliens; don't get me wrong, Aliens is an incredible film, but it was very much an action film that disregarded the subtext of Alien. Cameron dumbed down the Alien design considerably, turning them from psychosexual nightmarish beings (from the mind of H.R. Giger) into basically big insects who work for a Queen.

The acting by Charles Dance, Charles S. Dutton, Brian Glover, and Danny Webb is superior to anyone in Aliens. Alien 3 is populated by complex, flawed individuals, not the cliched (but very likable) grunts of Aliens. Weaver delivers another fantastic performance as Ripley, the lone female who is tasked with turning a prison full of (deeply religious) murderers, criminals, and deviants into fighters willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. That alone makes Alien 3 a much deeper film than Aliens.

Alien 3 is rife with subtext, like Alien. Themes of religion, self-sacrifice, corporate dominance, fatalism, and objectification of humans is prevalent in every frame. No, the characters are not likable, but they are surely fascinating.

The camerawork, visuals, sounds, and action sequences are innovative and top-of-the-line. The first-person perspective of the Alien as it chases down the inmates in the film's climax is astounding. This is truly an art film designed as a slasher movie, like the first Alien.

Alien 3 is not without flaws, but thankfully- much like Blade Runner- the film is finally getting the respect it deserves. It's a shame that there are still some close-minded "fans" who hate Alien 3 for killing off two needless characters (yes, admit it, Hicks and Newt were fun in Aliens, but they weren't necessary in the long run), but in the end, Alien 3 is a gutsy and very non-Hollywood horror movie, one that will stand the test of time.

One of the worst in the series unless you watch the directors cut
Alien³ is the worst in the series because of the studio. David Fincehr had a dark film in his mind but the studio cut it down. The film does have a few good scares and the cinematography is cool. But the film is very slowly paced and most viewers won't be able to take it.

People relish ragging on sequels, the question is.... WHY?
When an alien attacked a ship full of irritating blue-collar workers, the people loved it.

When the alien attacked a group of arrogant marines, the people loved it.

So why on earth, in the name of corn, for the sake of all that is good in this world (namely pizza) can't people like this? Shaven headed, Self rejected, isolated in a prison, fundamentalist converts being attacked by aliens? Is it so original that it hurts their heads? Were they so scared that they pushed the traumatic experiences from their minds? Do they not like it when christians are put in a good light? Or all of the above?

As far as I'm concerned, Alien3 is a gem that, not nly should be heralded as the best Alien movie, but one of the best sci-fi, horror films of all time. Why? Yeah, I knew you would ask that, I'll tell you.

In this third installment of the Alien series Sigourney Weaver returns in her iconic role as Lt. Ripley. Though this time she is not backed up by miners or marines or even paid workers. This time she is backed up by a motley assortment of rapists, murderers and child molesters! But wait, there's more! they're religious converts! (I know you atheists just love this).

Now I know it sounds like I'm trying to insult you by being sarcastic, but I'm not. I think that the reason Alien3 wasn't ever accepted, is because it might have 'offended' whatever group of people watched it. Atheist didn't like the positive light on religion, feminists didn't like how most of the main characters were rapists, those who believe themselves to be the respectable type didn't like being forced to like prisoners. The point is, all who watch the film should watch it from an unbiased point of view.

I think viewers would like it if they just stop thinking about it being 'anti-them' and watch it without thinking from their automatic point of view.

9/10 stars.

Note: I watched the Assembly Cut, available in the two-disc special edition.