After Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, it is fair to say that filmmaker Ridley Scott’s standing among fans of the Alien universe might have slipped a little. So when he comes out strong for Alien: Romulus you do start to be a little cynical. Cameron and Terminator: Dark Fate, anyone?
Especially when you remember he is one of the producers. However, he does assure us that he most definitely did not get over-involved and back-seat directed. In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, he said of director Fede Alvarez::
“Fede is a surge of energy, and I had to step back and let him do it … Fede had a blueprint firm in his mind, and his script was pretty clear. It was also long, but the screenplay is always long. And so we got into that a little bit.”
Scott says he did not want to be an annoyance, but he’s seriously impressed with the new director’s work:
“It is hard work with anybody and their mother giving you advice — the last thing you want at a certain point is advice. I do not need advice. If I fall on my own sword and therefore lie bleeding, I say, ‘It was my fault.’
I hope Fede’s got another one up his sleeve because I think this is going to do really well. He’s got a streak of brilliance.”
Well, now we can start to get second opinions. It was already known that a test audience was shown a version of the movie back in March this year.
The audience burst into loud applause when the credits started rolling, and rumors from the screening say it was regarded by those attending as the strongest Alien movie since James Cameron’s Aliens in 1986.
Now early tracking figures are looking good for the studio. Meanwhile, the first critics screenings are being held, and the word on Alien: Romulus is strong.
Professional critics are not yet published, but online commentators, as usual, were fist out of the gate.
Usual health warnings apply to online commentators at test screenings. I mean, we wouldn’t want anyone’s explosive diarrhea to be miraculously cured by a movie screening, would we?
Here is the round-up:
I’m thrilled to report that #AlienRomulus scared the shit out of me. It’s smart, it’s funny, it’s horrifying. #Alien fans will love it. @fedalvar played continuity chess VERY well. He’s no rook, he’s the king.
Thank you so much @20thcentury for a great time!
Z. David Van Norman (@exzachly815)
Alien Romulus was fucking awesome. holy shit
Matt Ramos (@therealsupes)
#AlienRomulus The bitch is back. Was skeptical going in, but this is easily one of the better films in the franchise. Fede Álvarez doesn’t disappoint. Awesome sound design and world-building. The practical effects are so good that the film gave me nightmares.
Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt)
Fede Alvarez was the perfect choice for this one. If you’re a true Xenomorph fan, trust me—you WON’T be disappointed!
I had doubts about the young cast too, Man, I was SO WRONG.
The best sound editing experience of 2024!
Perfect Organism (@nostromolast)
first thoughts on #AlienRomulus
• Fede brought us back to the horror roots without compromising on the action
• Great homages to the original while adding new elements to the franchise
• CRAZY ENDING
• definitely watch the OG and ALIENS beforehand
4/5 for me
TropicalJoe (@imTropicalJoe)
#ALIENROMULUS is one of the movies of the year omg..
The most insane final act of a film I think I’ve ever seen.
Big Screen Berkan (@BigScreenBerkan)
I cannot wait to see Alien: Romulus again! Just when you think things are safe, it gets even crazier! 🤯 I highly recommend seeing it in 4DX.
SeeJay Lewis (@seejaylewis)
Ladies and Gentlemen, Alien Romulus is by far the best movie of the year. It’s the best in the franchise, and may be my new favorite horror. Can’t wait to see it again and I’m so excited for the world to enjoy this masterpiece like we did tonight. -hat guy🦒 (video taken by the… pic.twitter.com/cDLj64ub27
The Escape Pod Podcast (@EscapePodcastAA)
Ahhh, online hyperbole, don’t ever change! Still, this has to be far better than a load of fans saying it sucked, right? Do we have some hope here?
Alien: Romulus opens in cinemas this coming Friday, and if we don’t go out to support it then we probably lose the right to bitch about nothing but cape-shit making it to theaters these days, don’t we? Or do franchise/sequel rules apply and therefore this is exempt? I am so confused…