@MLClark I've been reluctant because the Alien franchise has been done to death. What is new and fresh about "Romulus" that makes it worthwhile?
Not getting into a full run-down fresh out of theatre, but the short answer is that it works because it's *not* trying to add new gimmicks, or follow in the footsteps of Nu Alien. It is a return to the classic themes, narrative structures, and cinematography that made Alien and Aliens work so well.
But if I say anything more right now I'm going to be diverting my high from the film, so - more later.
@MLClark Okay, thank you ... I have a weekend to myself in mid-September, so perhaps I'll go see it then.
😅 Oh, you'll have my full thoughts before then!
But I hear you - I wasn't going to see it in theatre myself, until an SF friend I trust saw it and recommended it. I too was burned out on all the franchise's misfires.
I don't know if I've mentioned this, but I was *so* cheesed off with Prometheus that I rewrote the screenplay in a 3-day fury, using the same story elements but with better execution. 🙃 Scott is good on visuals, but ALWAYS needs a good writer to complement his work.
*For clarity, Romulus is not directed by Scott: it was done by Federico Álvarez, and his love for the first four Alien films comes through clearly in his execution here. My Scott reference was for Prometheus.
Considering that SNW took a xenomorph direction with the Gorn, we're definitely setting ourselves up for an S3 opener that takes a different direction with Xenomorph XX121's evolution.
My wager is not a *full* transition to a species that can see others with respect, but definitely one with enough internal discourse about the future it wants for itself that it opts for a treaty with the Federation that lets its next generation work things out for itself. Ah, the Star Trek way. :)
@MLClark 🐊
La'an: "Nice shoes, captain. Alligator?"
Pike: "Gorn, actually."