Alien: Romulus (2024) - Not bad, for a 'midquel'

Right off the bat, 'Alien Romulus' isn't as good as the two previous entries in the series, but probably alongside the third and forth one (we'll just ignore the 'vs Predator' and 'Prometheus' movies). 'Romulus' wears its reverence for its predecessors on its sleeve with its oppressive, industrial set design to the dim, flickering lighting.  At least this goes a long way to make the film looks and feel like it was made alongside the original. 

The art direction and practical effects are pretty good and these 'plus points' go some way to obscure its narrative shortcomings. There's plenty of fan service and they do help to make up for just how bland most of the characters were (the only real stand-out is the android who's by far the most interesting of the - way too young - spaceship's crew).  However, as the story goes on, moments that echo 'Alien' and 'Aliens' come frequently—too frequently. The film risks leaning so heavily on its predecessors that it struggles to carve out its own identity. 

At least it is watchable, delivering enough tension, gore, and xenomorphic mayhem to satisfy fans.  Where the film falters most is in its plot.  At first glance, the story seems serviceable, but the cracks start to show if you think too hard about its finer details.  The lead actress will never come close to Sigourney Weaver's iconic portrayal of Ripley and general character motivations rely on leaps of logic that strain believability. 

Perhaps the worst part was the last fifteen minutes which are so drawn-out and redundant that they threaten to undo some of the goodwill the rest of the film earns. It’s not a total disaster, but it feels more like an extended epilogue than a satisfying conclusion.  Despite its flaws, 'Alien Romulus' is a worthy addition to the franchise for those willing to embrace it on its own terms. It may not match the brilliance of the original or its immediate sequel, but its nostalgic feel and overall tension make it an enjoyable, if imperfect, homage. Just don’t go in expecting airtight storytelling, and you’ll likely come out entertained.

7/10