#Xenomorphology
From the Daily Citation Archives for August 12th:
On this day in 2004 (in Thailand and Puerto Rico), two of Science Fiction's biggest names came together with the release of AVP: Alien Vs Predator. Written (in part) and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the film starred Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"During an archaeological expedition on Bouvetøya Island in Antarctica, a team of archaeologists and other scientists find themselves caught up in a battle between the two legends. Soon, the team realize that only one species can win."
For the record:
Talk about your open wounds? The 2005 Razzie Awards nominated AVP: Alien Vs Predator in the category of 'Worst Remake Or Sequel.' And the 2005 Fangoria Awards also nominated it for 'Worst Film.' And the 2004 Golden Schmoes Awards nominated it in their categories of 'Worst Movie Of The Year' and 'Biggest Disappointment Of The Year.' Ouch. That's gonna leave a mark!
Post Script:
Now, folks, I'm not here to mince words with anyone. As you know, my position as a cultural critic is that you're free to like and dislike anything you choose, but I've always -- ALWAYS -- said that it is my estimation only that -- on a purely popcorn level -- AVP: Alien V Predator isn't without its modest charms. No, it isn't a great film, and I say this in spite of the fact that, functionally, it strives admirably to deliver only on its slim promises ... and yet I still enjoy it entirely for what it is: a comic-book-fueled incarnation that sought to bring two heavyweights together for the first time.
Alas, the project wasn't a hit with audiences; and I think it's safe to say that fandom -- as a whole -- was disappointed it with it on many, many, many levels. The fact that it wasn't a hard-R action film -- bringing with it all the blood and guts viewers expect -- arguably had some impact. Additionally, having our lead Predator kinda/sorta adopt a human female as a kinda/sorta sidekick likely left a bad taste in the mouths of some. I've also read that, textually, there were minor retcons of established lore for both universes performed; and, yes, that tends to be a big no-no with purists. Of course, there's always room for more fighting -- I'll concede it was a bit slim in that department -- but I still had a bit of fun with it. So sue me.
Perhaps if the story hadn't been two established commodities -- perhaps if the script didn't involve our beloved Xenomorph and a Predator -- maybe moviegoers would've felt otherwise.
-- EZ
On this day in 2004 (in Thailand and Puerto Rico), two of Science Fiction's biggest names came together with the release of AVP: Alien Vs Predator. Written (in part) and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the film starred Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"During an archaeological expedition on Bouvetøya Island in Antarctica, a team of archaeologists and other scientists find themselves caught up in a battle between the two legends. Soon, the team realize that only one species can win."
For the record:
Talk about your open wounds? The 2005 Razzie Awards nominated AVP: Alien Vs Predator in the category of 'Worst Remake Or Sequel.' And the 2005 Fangoria Awards also nominated it for 'Worst Film.' And the 2004 Golden Schmoes Awards nominated it in their categories of 'Worst Movie Of The Year' and 'Biggest Disappointment Of The Year.' Ouch. That's gonna leave a mark!
Post Script:
Now, folks, I'm not here to mince words with anyone. As you know, my position as a cultural critic is that you're free to like and dislike anything you choose, but I've always -- ALWAYS -- said that it is my estimation only that -- on a purely popcorn level -- AVP: Alien V Predator isn't without its modest charms. No, it isn't a great film, and I say this in spite of the fact that, functionally, it strives admirably to deliver only on its slim promises ... and yet I still enjoy it entirely for what it is: a comic-book-fueled incarnation that sought to bring two heavyweights together for the first time.
Alas, the project wasn't a hit with audiences; and I think it's safe to say that fandom -- as a whole -- was disappointed it with it on many, many, many levels. The fact that it wasn't a hard-R action film -- bringing with it all the blood and guts viewers expect -- arguably had some impact. Additionally, having our lead Predator kinda/sorta adopt a human female as a kinda/sorta sidekick likely left a bad taste in the mouths of some. I've also read that, textually, there were minor retcons of established lore for both universes performed; and, yes, that tends to be a big no-no with purists. Of course, there's always room for more fighting -- I'll concede it was a bit slim in that department -- but I still had a bit of fun with it. So sue me.
Perhaps if the story hadn't been two established commodities -- perhaps if the script didn't involve our beloved Xenomorph and a Predator -- maybe moviegoers would've felt otherwise.
-- EZ
Also from the Daily Citation Archives for August 12th:
On this day in 2024 (in the U.S.), the good city of Los Angeles, California played host for the big screen exclusive theatrical premiere event celebrated the launch of Alien: Romulus. Written (in part) and directed by Fede Alvarez, the film starred Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe."
For the record:
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2024, I caught a theatrical screening of Alien: Romulus (2024) when it made the rounds through theaters near me. Interested readers can find my review right here.
Post Script:
I guess what they say about "if it ain't broke then don't fix it" could be applied to 2024's Alien: Romulus from the talented writer/director Fede Alvarez. Some in the audience saw his addition to the big space franchise as a 'return to form,' presenting our lovable Xenomorph in precisely the big, bloody, and bold fashion that fans love to see. Whatever your take on the film, there's no denying it was big business for cineplexes: Google.com reports that it grossed over $350M worldwide on a reported budget of $80M (no indication of marketing costs). Definitely, that's a respectable haul -- maybe not what other entries have seen but debatably solid -- and it helped cement Alvarez as a mover and shaker in the business.
For those interested, I did see it theatrically and pen a review. While I won't summarize everything, I have vague recollections of being a bit disappointed with it, feeling like even though the thrills and spills were solid we had already seen a goodly portion of it before and even in the same universe. That isn't necessarily a bad thing -- Alien as a franchise is decades-old, indeed, and a case could be made that it needed a bit of re-introduction to viewers of the modern age -- but diehards like myself may've struggled to appreciate it for being anything greater than what it was: simply good with nothing all that new.
-- EZ
On this day in 2024 (in the U.S.), the good city of Los Angeles, California played host for the big screen exclusive theatrical premiere event celebrated the launch of Alien: Romulus. Written (in part) and directed by Fede Alvarez, the film starred Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe."
For the record:
- At the 2025 Academy Awards, Alien: Romulus earned a nomination in the category of 'Best Achievement In Visual Effects.'
- At the 2025 Saturn Awards, the film earned an impressive seven nominations in the categories of 'Best Film Make-Up,' 'Best Film Visual / Special Effects,' 'Best Supporting Actor In A Film,' 'Best Supporting Actress In A Film,' 'Best Film Production Design,' 'Best Film Direction,' and 'Best Horror Film.' At the end of the evening, Alien: Romulus went home only with the trophy for 'Best Horror Film.'
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2024, I caught a theatrical screening of Alien: Romulus (2024) when it made the rounds through theaters near me. Interested readers can find my review right here.
Post Script:
I guess what they say about "if it ain't broke then don't fix it" could be applied to 2024's Alien: Romulus from the talented writer/director Fede Alvarez. Some in the audience saw his addition to the big space franchise as a 'return to form,' presenting our lovable Xenomorph in precisely the big, bloody, and bold fashion that fans love to see. Whatever your take on the film, there's no denying it was big business for cineplexes: Google.com reports that it grossed over $350M worldwide on a reported budget of $80M (no indication of marketing costs). Definitely, that's a respectable haul -- maybe not what other entries have seen but debatably solid -- and it helped cement Alvarez as a mover and shaker in the business.
For those interested, I did see it theatrically and pen a review. While I won't summarize everything, I have vague recollections of being a bit disappointed with it, feeling like even though the thrills and spills were solid we had already seen a goodly portion of it before and even in the same universe. That isn't necessarily a bad thing -- Alien as a franchise is decades-old, indeed, and a case could be made that it needed a bit of re-introduction to viewers of the modern age -- but diehards like myself may've struggled to appreciate it for being anything greater than what it was: simply good with nothing all that new.
-- EZ
Readers, one of the things I've started doing with SciFiHistory.Net -- along with these somewhat loose feature-style articles -- is to look for small ways to make a bit of money. As you can guess, the bigger something gets the more expensive it is; and I've started to feel a modest bit of pinch from keeping the doors open and these lights on. Mind you: it isn't dire ... but it's something that I'd like to avoid as the site definitely grows more and more every year.
In that respect, I've become an Amazon Affiliate; and what that means is I can provide links for products you can purchase on the internet superstore while earning a small commission for my efforts. So if you're perhaps interested in picking up your own home video copy of either release highlighted in today's Xenomorphology report, simply click on the links below and you'll be transported to the retailer on my behalf:
AVP: Alien V Predator (2004)
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Otherwise ... thanks for reading, thanks for sharing, thanks for being a fan ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
In that respect, I've become an Amazon Affiliate; and what that means is I can provide links for products you can purchase on the internet superstore while earning a small commission for my efforts. So if you're perhaps interested in picking up your own home video copy of either release highlighted in today's Xenomorphology report, simply click on the links below and you'll be transported to the retailer on my behalf:
AVP: Alien V Predator (2004)
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Otherwise ... thanks for reading, thanks for sharing, thanks for being a fan ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
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