We continue this months theme with a look at a new franchise each week and ask how would you fix it. You could pitch a new entry into the franchise, a reboot, rewrite, or even erase previously released films.
This week we are take on The Alien Franchise. Created by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett, the franchise currently includes 8 films and a television series in development.
- Alien (1979)
- Aliens (1986)
- Alien 3 (1992)
- Alien Resurrection (1997)
- Alien vs. Predator (2004)
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
- Prometheus (2012)
- Alien: Covenant (2017)
So how would you fix The Alien Franchise? Share your ideas and help expand on others.
Please DM me any future requests or challenges.
Next week: The Indiana Jones franchise
TSPDT 347, highest ranking 302 in 2007; TSZDT 52, highest ranking 43 in 2018; Director: James Cameron; Writer: James Cameron, David Giler, Walter Hill, Dan O’Bannon (characters), Ronald Shusett (characters); Watched June 1st as part of the 20th Century Fox Alien 6-Film Collection Blu-ray release IMDB
137 minutes. This plays like the original Alien movie grew up to be a gym-rat, jagerbomb-drinking, gun-loving bro that has a tough exterior but a good heart.
Every ounce of atmosphere from the original is replaced with adrenaline and terror with testosterone. There’s a batmobile in one part, Sigourney Weaver grows from shell-shocked scientist to a DC heroine and there as many types of weapons as a Michael Bay movie. I’m actually not convinced this isn’t a Micheal Bay movie made under a pseudonym.
I’m sure y’all know the basic plot right? Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) wakes up from space sleep 57 years after the first incident and gets pulled in to help with a distress signal coming from the very planet she escaped from so many years ago. Even though she’s brought in as a consultant, she winds up needing to save the military as they brought a bunch of trigger happy idiots on the mission that don’t get the severity of what they have been asked to do (her words not mine, although I agree).
So, everything is over the top and loud, but I get why this is a popular movie. It’s easy to watch and very entertaining. James Cameron has a great ability to understand what is ‘cool’ and exciting to see on screen, and has always pushed effects with this being no exception. I really hate the dialog here, and the characters are all paper thin, but at the end of the day this is not about the characters it’s about the action. In that sense, the suspense is real, the stakes seem high, the music supports the drama of the moment and the action is creative and non-stop. It’s been so long since I’ve seen Alien 3, I’m actually really curious to see why it’s so universally hated.
TSPDT 5475, highest ranking 4691 in 2015; Director: David Fincher; Writer: David Giler, Walter Hill, Larry Ferguson, Vincent Ward, Dan O’Bannon (characters), Ronald Shusett (characters); Watched June 13th as part of the 20th Century Fox Alien 6-Film Collection Blu-ray release IMDB
114 minutes. I was very interested to rewatch the third Alien movie after 20 years. I know people typically don’t like this one as much but I couldn’t remember why.
Many, many years after Aliens, Ripley’s escape pod is picked up by a maximum security prison that only has a few prisoners left and none of them have seen a woman in a long time. Not the ideal situation for any woman, especially one who is in a deep part of space with no chance of rescue. As the Alien creature starts to run amok, it turns out Ripley may be connected to this vicious race in ways she was not expecting and never wanted.
As goofy as Aliens is, I think it was really helped by setting the movie back on the Alien’s home planet. The stakes felt real and the plot did not feel over manufactured. I believe Alien 3 suffered from this, and I think the actual core premise of the movie was pretty hokey. It’s kind of Terminator 2 retold in the Aliens universe including a suspiciously similar ending.
That aside, I liked it and feel it should get a second chance from people who haven’t seen it in awhile. Going in knowing it’s dumb fun I think will help, and this makes me very curious for Alien 4.
TSPDT 13091, highest ranking 8705 in 2017; Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet; Writer: Joss Whedon, Dan O’Bannon (characters), Ronald Shusett (characters); Watched July 1st as part of the 20th Century Fox Alien 6-Film Collection Blu-ray release IMDB
148 minutes. It’s too bad this series has had so many near misses. This fourth entry was another example of an Aliens movie that could have been great.
Alien 3 had a weak premise but strong execution and this had a great premise, and a really unique and cool idea, with mediocre execution. Jeunet’s kookiness was probably not the best choice for this series but Joss Whedon’s ideas were good. For starters, from the first few minutes there’s no doubt Ripley is a badass. The basic premise is they found DNA of hers at the old crime scene and have been working tirelessly to bring her back to life as a genetically modified stone cold killer. They don’t stop there, however, as arrogance takes over and they believe they can bring the aliens back to life as well and control them to create the ultimate killers.
Much in the way humans are destined to be flawed, mistakes are made and underestimates plague the executive decision-making from leadership. The crew of this particular ship finds themselves in dire straits as both Frankenstein Ripley and the bugs are not exactly who they wanted them to be.
Honestly, I think this movie with Whedon in the director’s chair would have been great. He was in his prime here and many of the characters and scenarios were interesting and a clever extension of the Alien universe without being overly silly. The interpretation of Whedon’s writing, however, and Jeunet’s trademark style of camerawork and humor were misplaced here and missed the mark. The series went claustrophobic horror (Alien), large-scale sci-fi action (Aliens), T2 cover song (Alien3), and now a cross between City of Lost Children and Buffy set in the Aliens universe*.*
I did enjoy it overall, but can see why people were super annoyed at this as a movie that was somehow trying to be Alien or Aliens. The silver lining from this whole experience from Jeunet’s perspective seems to be going back to France, doing some soul searching, and delivering his career defining work, Amelie, four years later. All’s well that ends well I guess!
TSPDT 111, which equals its highest ranking; TSZDT 4, which equals its highest ranking; Director: Ridley Scott; Writer: Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett; Watched May 21st as part of the 20th Century Fox Alien 6-Film Collection IMDB
116 minutes. Atmosphere. If the question is what makes this film stand out from other horror films I think this would be my answer. Intense atmosphere.
Director Scott really understands how to create terror for a crew that tries to do the right thing in responding to an SOS in space but ultimately falls into the trap of an aggressive alien race looking for dinner.
For one, is there any more claustrophobic prison than space if you’re under attack? There are multiple points throughout this movie where we are reminded that the crew, who realizes that the alien they brought on to their ship is both deadly and aggressive, are faced with two bad options around what to do next. They mostly feel despondent at the idea of being forced to fight this seemingly invincible alien race, but the only other option is near-certain death if they are forced to abandon ship.
Also, the way the alien hides in shadow is really brilliant here. It becomes difficult to know, even for the audience, where the alien is at any time and that kept me glued to the screen. And even though this is such an obvious point, the practical special effects in Alien are really phenomenal. The alien creature is just so menacing and such a natural hunter. There’s no real exposition, they just show how terrifying it is and it makes for a wonderful horror film. I remembered loving this movie but I had forgotten why. It’s very good and I would recommend this to anyone who is okay with a bit of blood.
Phil
Sudden Lee
Go post NSFW jokes somewhere else. If I can't tell my kids this joke, then it is not a DAD JOKE.
If you feel it's appropriate to share NSFW jokes with your kids, that's on you. But a real, true dad joke should work for anyone's kid.
Mods... If you exist... Please, stop this madness. Rule #6 should simply not allow NSFW or (wtf) NSFL tags. Also, remember that MINORS browse this subreddit too? Why put that in rule #6, then allow NSFW???
Please consider changing rule #6. I love this sub, but the recent influx of NSFW tagged posts that get all the upvotes, just seem wrong when there are good solid DAD jokes being overlooked because of them.
Thank you,
A Dad.
So far nobody has given me a straight answer
..... Will get a reward.
Because they work on many levels
Well, toucan play at that game.
Windows
Argon does not react.
Martin Freeman, and Andy Serkis.
They also play roles in Lord of the Rings.
I guess that makes them the Tolkien white guys.
She said apple-lutely
'Eye-do'
This is my first post pls don't kill me lol.
The people in the comment section is why I love this subreddit!!
Cred once again my sis wants credit lol
Keep in mind, my son is 4 years old, so everything is an original to him.
I had to work late into the evening yesterday, and he was just going to bed when I got home. I had left home for the office nearly 14 hours prior, had a long day, lots of meetings, traffic, etc.
When I walked through the door, I was exhausted, run down, and starving. My wife hugged me and asked how my day was, and I replied, "Done. It was a good day, but has got me exhausted. I just want to grab a bite and go to bed. I'm hungry."
From my son's bedroom, I hear him shout, "Hi Hungry! Nice to meet you!"
Not only did it make me laugh, but I completely forgot about how hungry and tired I was. I went to his bedroom, and we laughed together about it. It was exactly what I needed.
Edit: Thanks for all the awards, kind strangers! I'll let my son know y'all enjoyed his joke too!
I heard parents named their children lance a lot.
First post please don't kill me
Edit: i went to sleep and now my inbox is dead, thank you kind strangers for the awards!
To get to the... Bottom...
(as told by my 5yo son, I'm so proud)
Japan.
"No, the regular kind!" I laughed.
second hand stores!
it's Hans free now..
Old Neeeeiiiiighvy
10+10 is twenty and 11+11 is twenty too
A buck-an-ear!
I Thank ye kind Matey for the booty! I be truly overwhelmed! Thank you!
Holy cow! Thank you everyone for the upvotes and awards! I wasn’t expecting this!
He should have a good vowel movement. His next diaper change could spell disaster though.
and not:
Making it all the way home and realizing that they forgot one of the containers:
Riceless
That was the punchline
