Search Movie Review Archives

Film production is like gambling; no matter how well you've done, you always think you can do better. That's the premise behind this re-release of the four Alien films in both the original theatrical versions and expanded editions. That along with the smell of Christmas sales helped prod Fox to produce this extensive boxed set. So did putting it all on the line pay off? Sometimes. Ridley Scott's original film was a masterpiece of suspense and terror. The snail's pace pacing, like Hitchcock's best films, created an underlying tension that found release in a few key scenes. Unlike Blade Runner, Scott's vision of Alien hasn't changed significantly. The extended branching scenes do add a number of fine character moments but they don't make the film any scarier or more effective. In the boxing match between Alien vs. Alien Revised Directors Cut, it's nearly a draw where both films have their merits. Ultimately, though, the leaner, meaner original cut wins simply on the sheer power of the film. It's hard to improve on perfection. ***

James Cameron's Aliens is an altogether different matter. Cameron was contractually obligated to provide a film to Fox that didn't go over a certain time limit. As a result, Cameron had to work with a number of restrictions and knew, despite the power of many sequences, that he was going to have to slice and dice the film. The original theatrical version was pretty powerful (and has been only available on video and laserdisc--this is its DVD premiere) but the extended version (which saw life on DVD and laserdisc previously)wins the match. Cameron's ability to craft strong characters and create complex, intelligent story lines only enriches this film. The extended version has visuals that were completed long after the film wrapped but the quality is comparable to the original visual effects. These sequences seamlessly fit in with the older visual effects. I still like the idea of having both because they are each unique. The theatrical version has more punch and is much more direct an experience. The extended version is like watching a flower unfold; you appreciate each individual petal and its unique form. OK, that was a lousy simile. ***

David Fincher's Alien 3 was crippled from the start. Vincent Ward's original premise was fascinating and the rewritten screenplay kept some of the basic elements but dispensed with some of the best plot points and themes. Still, the work print offers a fascinating glimpse into what might have been if Fincher had been allowed to release a longer version of the film. I have to agree that the newly added CGI effects don't measure up to the original (unlike the care that went into Cameron's revised version)but the added sequences do improve the film and make it much more distinctive and less derivative. ***

Fincher had nothing to do with this reissue. Most likely, there's still bitterness of having the film yanked out of his hands and reedited without the original vision he had in mind. Disliked by many fans of the first two films, Alien 3 stands revealed as a minor classic. Fincher committed allowed two of the most popular characters from the second film to die. This alienated (pardon the pun) the core audience. The darker, bleaker look and general tone also made it difficult to like after Cameron's approach to the film. Fincher, unfortunately, came to a project in complete disarray; the script was a disaster and the studio had already parted ways with one director (Vincent Ward ). Fincher approached the challenge with gusto but quickly was betrayed by a lack of time, support and money. ***

The work print of the film suggests that if Fincher had had his way, it would have been a much stronger and consistent film. There's no commentary from Fincher so we won't know what his thoughts are on the work print of the film. Editor Terry Rawling's comments no doubt echo some of Fincher's thoughts but it doesn't fully reveal what was going through his head as he directed the film. Original director Vincent Ward came up with the concept of Ripley landing on a film occupied by monks. Ultimately this vision was altered to the prison planet. The project was compromised from the very beginning. ***

I have to disagree with the assessment of most critics regarding Alien Resurrection. It's an underrated gem that manages to be both satirical and full of over-the-top dramatic moments. It lacked the power of the original, the character development of Cameron's second film (and action)but played with the conventions and expectations of the audience. Disliked by Alien co-creator David Giler (he produced and did a number of rewrites on the screenplay) and many of the fans, Joss Whelan's original screenplay is witty and fun playing with the conventions of the first three films . In some respects, it's like Sergio Leone's spagethei westerns;. It's a script (and a film)that's self reflective and about science fiction films. The final theatrical version is the superior version although it's interesting to get a glimpse at the "alternate" version as well.

All the films look exceptional. Alien shows the most immediate improvement as the Director's Cut was restruck from the original negative. The colors are richer and the picture sharper than the 1999 release.. Although the difference between Aliens released in 2001 on DVD and this edition looks about the same to me. The original soundtrack is in Dolby Digital 5.1 and sounds magnificient. When compared to the 1999 the sound has better imaging. ***

Cameron's original film was shot on a high grain stock to enhance the feeling of "reality". The theatrical version is a marked improvement on the laserdisc version where the was an attempt by Fox to soften the grain. The result was that the picture didn't look as sharp. ***

The extended version of the film is very much comparable to the 1999 release on DVD. That version was state-of-the-art at the time with a high definition film to tape transfer. It appears that the same type of transfer occurred here as well. The soundtrack doesn't include a DTS track. The film was never released that way although which might account as to why the DVD doesn't have it. The previous version on DVD wasn't in DTS either. Fox claims that it had more to do with the amount of disc space it would take up. ***

Fincher's Alien 3 workprint looks pretty good as well when compare to the final theatrical print. You do need to keep in mind that it is drawn from a workprint of the film and doesn't look quite as sharp. I never did have Alien 3 on DVD so can't compare the 1999 version to this one. (it's out of print as well). ***

Alien Resurrection looks very good. There's a bit more grain than I expected but, again, I can't compare it to the previous DVD because I don't have it and it's out of print. The soundtrack is presented in both 5.1 and DTS. ---

The bulk of the extras are included on the second companion disc for each feature film. The extras include a number of featurettes (the original Alien only come with 9 vs. 11 for most of the others). There's also the original laserdisc extras archived on the final disc. You also get a glimpse into screen tests and other cool rarities. Dan O'Bannon's original Star Beast treatment is included for Alien as is the screenplay. ***

Fox has been generous in this arena; they've not only produced a number of new feaurettes for all the films but also dug into the laser disc archives for the original release to disc. Many of these items were not duplicated on the 1999 DVD release of Alien and Aliens and, as a result, would have been unavailable to anyone who didn't own a laserdisc player during the original special edition releases. ****

There's also a generous sampling of promotional artwork, trailers, interviews, vintage featurettes and TV spots. Additionally we get to see some of the material that Dark Horse Comics produced for their Alien adaptions. There's also a peak into Bob Burns' collection of Alien memorabily which includes the Alien Queen. Burns has been cataloging (like Forrest J. Ackerman before him) a large range of props and models that might have been lost or stolen if the studio had kept them. We're lucky to have him keeping this collection of material intact. ***

The featurettes focus on all three areas of film production: pre-production where we get a glimpse into the genesis of various script ideas and writing; film production focuses on the various challenges encountered during the shooting of each film; post-production looks at everything from visual effects to music composition and the editing of the final product. Luckily, the Alien franchise has been well documented over the years and the bulk of the pre-production and post-production materials used have survived. Really this boxed set, like T2: Judgment Day Special Edition has set the standard for giving a complete overview of film production. ****

The only criticism I have to make revolves regarding the featurettes and interviews surrounds the production of Alien 3 and Resurrection. It appears that comments negative about the management of Fox at the time has been removed. Rumor has it that there was a large amount of material that laid the blame for the failure of both films at the doorstep of Fox and their decisions on promoting the films. There are critical comments to be sure, but nothing that deals with the issues of why the third and fourth films in the series failed so miserably at the box office. Nobody likes to have the finger pointed at them regarding marketing blunders but to lay the blame on the audience's lack of interest is truly passing the buck. ---

Loads of commentary from director Ridley Scott on the original Alien (both versions no less) and from the cast, producer and production staff of Aliens (although James Cameron is curiously absent but is represented in interview form later in the set). Alien 3 has absolutely no involvement from David Fincher which isn't a surprise given the circumstances described previously. However, with Fox releasing the work print with finished CGI effects (which, admittedly, aren't quite up to the caliber of a theatrical film but make the presentation more complete), I would have thought that Fincher might want to participate here. As it is, we'll never known his true thoughts on each and every scene in the work print. As a consolation we get well known editor Terry Rawlings and members of the production crew filling in quite nicely for Fincher. Alien Resurrection has both the director and production crew participating in various sequences. ***

The commentary could have been improved; the involvement of Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Yaphet Kotto, Harry Dean Stanton and Veronica Cartwright would have provided some much needed observations about the acting. While Scott does make comments about the performances now and again, it's always much more satisfying hearing from the performers as to the thought process they were going through on certain scenes. For example, I would have loved to hear a commentary from Skerritt and Weaver on the famous sequence where she discovers what happened to Dallas originally cut from the film prior to its release. ***

A note about the clumsy packaging that Fox elected to use for this boxed set. The accordion design of this set is clumsy and will be subject to significant wear and tear. It's clear why Fox elected to emulate the packaging for the Star Trek: The Next Generation boxed sets--it's cheaper. On the other hand, Paramount made the wise choice of at least putting DVD packaging in a strong cardboard box. Personally, I would have preferred to have this presented in snap cases with booklets (not too dissimilar to the Alien Legacy set produced a couple of years ago). The plastic DVD holders also have a tendency to pop out if there wasn't enough glue used to secure them. With a mass produced product like this, it could be an issue for many fans. ***

On the whole the massive Alien Quadrilogy sets a new standard for the documentation and presentation of a classic film series. Quadrilogy is a flawed but admirable set that focuses on the most important aspects of the production while glossing over the conflicts that helped give birth to these films. While Alien and Aliens are the cream of the crop here, I came away with a new appreciation for Alien 3 after seeing Fincher's work print. I had admired that film but thought is badly flawed by a number of the scripting decisions. The work print doesn't correct that impression but makes the film a much stronger one. Alien Resurrection still seems to be the least appreciated of the four films. I doubt that the boxed set will change that impression for those critical of the film. ***

The picture quality is simply stunning particularly on the Director's Cut of Alien which was digitally remastered from the original negative. Aliens still looks stunning but keep in mind that the grainy look of the film and harsh lighting was intentional. Fox has stayed true to Cameron's original design of the film with a faithful reproduction of both versions. Since the only previous version of the theatrical cut was a badly transferred one, it's a joy to finally have it available in all it's gory, grainy glory. The new transfer for Alien 3 doesn't change the impression of the film but the work print, despite some visual flaws, does argue for a reassessment of this fine but flawed film. Alien Resurrection's dark humor and witty script is still a strong highlight of the film. The visual detail on this new transfer is stunning at times although the darker look was, again, intentional. ***

The sound is truly spectacular although DTS fans will lament the fact that films 2 and 3 aren't available in that format. For those folks who don't want to purchase the entire set, they will become available individually starting in early January. The same masters will be used for all the films. The 9th disc of promotional material, trailers, interviews will be missing however. I'm not really sure how many of the extras will be retained from the companion discs for each movie.