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Post by MartinT on Aug 16, 2024 11:37:18 GMT
I thought everything after Alien/Aliens were differing levels of garbage, from absolute unbelievable garbage, to just garbage. Completely agree. |
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Post by rfan8312 on Aug 17, 2024 5:12:56 GMT
I think the toothpaste is out of the tube for us older Alien fans.
1. The first Alien film is so magical that I do think it may be a downhill slope forever now from such a high bar that was set not only in execution but in atmosphere.
2. The first Alien film was released because they had something and wanted to show it + cash in. Every movie since then has been just a grubby cash grab + attempt at thrills.
Romulus is no different but at least it gets the tone right with some good execution and atmosphere.
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 17, 2024 8:09:31 GMT
I'm hoping to see it on our huge IMAX screen in London. It should at least look and sound amazing there.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 17, 2024 10:18:45 GMT
Alien and Blade Runner. Two Ridley Scott films that transformed my view of intelligent SF by making you feel them almost as a participant.
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Post by Tim on Aug 17, 2024 12:12:57 GMT
A nigh on impossible task to follow up on which for me, are two of the greatest films in cinema history and the rare occasion when a sequel actually works.
I think A:R is for a younger audience and I was never personally going to be sold by a Cailee Spaeny Rip-off-ly character anyway . . . and that's before you get to the two other elephants in the room, Disney and Ridley Scott. But that's a personal thing.
I bet it looks really good though, as despite not being a fan of Fede Alvarez's films, like Fincher he has a very unique style, knows how to light a set, use a camera and create an atmosphere - so I do think he's a good director from that aspect, I just haven't enjoyed his films thus far story/character wise. The set and sound design looks superb from the trailers, so seeing it in an IMAX julesd68 should be an experience in itself, I just wouldn't be able to take that bunch of spring breakers cast seriously, so I'll be interested to hear your report 
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Post by rfan8312 on Aug 17, 2024 14:10:15 GMT
In Romulus, there's nothing spring breaky fun time about this cast. The tone is dead serious immediately with high stakes. The situations that unfold leave no room for "kids to be kids". I believe the cast is all in their 20's as well.
And Spaeny is nothing like Ripley.
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Post by Tim on Aug 17, 2024 15:44:20 GMT
And Spaeny is nothing like Ripley. No she isn t, that's exactly my point  |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 17, 2024 15:48:04 GMT
The set and sound design looks superb from the trailers, so seeing it in an IMAX julesd68 should be an experience in itself, I just wouldn't be able to take that bunch of spring breakers cast seriously, so I'll be interested to hear your report Exactly , it looks made for a great IMAX experience so as long as we have fun that's the main thing. |
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Post by rfan8312 on Aug 17, 2024 16:20:36 GMT
And Spaeny is nothing like Ripley. No she isn t, that's exactly my point Sorry, Tim. Seems you've been hoisted by your own petard. considerable altitude reached. Go see the movie. |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 17, 2024 17:49:52 GMT
Sigourney Weaver was just 30 when she made Alien whilst Spaeny is 26. I think that means something, but I'm not quite sure what just yet ...
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Post by Tim on Aug 17, 2024 18:46:25 GMT
Sigourney Weaver was just 30 when she made Alien whilst Spaeny is 26. I think that means something, but I'm not quite sure what just yet ... The thought of what you might think about it, is more exciting than the prospect of seeing it myself Jules 
I'll go get the popcorn  |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 17, 2024 19:21:05 GMT
Sigourney Weaver was just 30 when she made Alien whilst Spaeny is 26. I think that means something, but I'm not quite sure what just yet ... The thought of what you might think about it, is more exciting than the prospect of seeing it myself Jules
I'll go get the popcorn Oooohhhh very harsh yung Tim! Going to see it tomorrow at 5pm so there... |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 17, 2024 21:21:55 GMT
Back to 007 for a moment - apparently betting has been suspended on Aaron Taylor-Johnson being the next Bond. I do hope not - his filmography is horrendous from what I have seen. Maybe Barbara Broccoli has seen something in him the rest of the world hasn't ...
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Post by Tim on Aug 18, 2024 7:32:57 GMT
Oooohhhh very harsh yung Tim! Going to see it tomorrow at 5pm so there... Well you do owe me one for Maestro |
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Post by MartinT on Aug 18, 2024 7:41:40 GMT
his filmography is horrendous from what I have seen You're not kidding. |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 18, 2024 19:34:24 GMT
Here are my feelings on Alien: Romulus. I enjoyed the film but not as much as Robert did.
The good:
It looked utterly stunning on the IMAX screen and it's technically superb. The look and feel of the film feels admirably analogue but shot in digital. It's only a few shots where you are aware of heavy digital FX. Sets, production design and lighting are immaculate, an homage to the first two films. The sound is immense and I loved the music, of which I would have enjoyed more. The climax of the film (no spoilers) is suitably disturbing and tense. The poor chap sitting next to me sounded like he was nearly hyperventilating!
The not so good:
The film pays homage to the first two as faithfully as possible but takes us no further. The plot is essentially a rerun of Aliens. I expected more.
The cast. If I was at the casting session I would have rejected them all. The acting is for the most part capable, but not compelling and what's missing are actors with true charisma. That for me was the key missing ingredient. It's also a very young ensemble cast - it really needed a couple of older actors to bring their experience and a more varied dynamic between the cast. I didn't enjoy the performances of the two young English actors at all - they kind of sounded a bit like hoodlum extras from an ITV crime drama. Only David Jonsson as android Andy emerges with much credit for me.
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Post by Tim on Aug 18, 2024 19:54:56 GMT
That's pretty much always been my issue Jules, that cast. I'd bet you a pound to a pinch of snuff that's a Disney driven choice, it's classic modern Disney DEI and almost identical to what they've done with The Acolyte. It's a cheap cast too, it was initially going straight to streaming and wasn't going to get a theatrical release at all and I believe the casting was set when they changed it, but not 100% on that?
It's doing well at the box office though, over $100 million opening weekend, so Robert will probably get his wish for more!
Thanks for the prompt summary too, much appreciated old bean |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 18, 2024 20:16:37 GMT
By the way, we saw the trailer for Gladiator 2 and it looked absolutely immense - wow! The Colosseum action looked insane - they pushed the boat out there, pun intended ... Tough job for Ridley but he just *might* have done it. I'm a huge fan of the first film.
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Post by rfan8312 on Aug 18, 2024 20:28:43 GMT
Thanks for the Review, Jules. Very interesting to hear about some of the technical aspects of how the film is made and glad to hear those elements were of high quality. I also thought it looked and sounded amazing.
Did you guys know that director Fede Alvarez has pitched a new idea which is to direct an AVP film (alien vs predator) WITH director of the newest Predator film (Prey), Danny Trachtenberg? THAT would be something. Apparently the idea would be to do something like From Dusk Till Dawn the way that Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez created that film together.
I loved Prey and I love Fede Alvarez's style I think it's a home run if they go for it.
I'd love to make a comment about the divisive end of the Romulus film, but I'll hold off until everyone else has seen it.
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 18, 2024 23:17:11 GMT
This is one of a series of images that filled the IMAX screen before the film started proper - pretty cool. You can see some of the speakers behind the screen - they got a serious workout. |
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