Alien³

Rating ***/*****, or 6/10

Slow paced second sequel to Alien (1979) returns to the stylistic roots of the series by focusing on eerie atmosphere and mounting tension more than relying on all-out action. This time it pays off less successfully, though this is partially due to the chaotic production history of this project. First time director David Fincher handles himself decently enough and gets a decent number of chilling scenes of suspense and compelling performances out of it all, but as a whole, this film is certainly not on par with the previous two installments of this franchise. While in hypersleep, Ripley (Sigourney Weaver again, believably introvert now, since she lost the few people she cared about) crashes on a prison planet where she finds herself confronted with another Alien soon enough, as well as untrustworthy inmates and a dark secret brooding inside herself. A so-called Assembly Cut of this film is available, running over 30 minutes longer than the theatrical cut, incorporating many different scenes as well as a less powerful climax: an interesting compendium to the original film worth checking out if you enjoyed the regular cut.

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Charles S. Dutton, Charles Dance

Directed by David Fincher

USA: 20^th Century Fox, 1992