This was great to watch, and as a fan of both the ALIEN saga and Michael Biehn, I enjoyed it a lot. The interviews with cast members like Harry Dean Stanton, Tom Skerritt, Jenette Goldstein and Michael Biehn were particularly enjoyable. I have to admit, it started off boring with "Alien" as the recollections of the ageing producers were not very exciting, but as the show moved on, it became very enjoyable. A rare treat to see Michael Biehn on an interview, especially on british TV, it's about time my idol got the status he deserved!
4 Reviews
If you think you know everything about the Alien franchise, you are wrong!
InkJava20 June 2002
I had the chance to see the North American Premiere of Alien Evolution and I was quite impressed by it. As a fan of this franchise and thinking that I knew everything about it, I have learned many things while watching it. It's a lovely documentary to see because it talks a lot about what the actors, directors, producers of each films think about all four movies. It's a must-see for every movie-goers especially for the first thirty minutes, I would say, because everyone who was involved in the 1979 classic "Alien" give their point of view (and H.R. Giger as well) on the creature and the sets where the story took place. It is great! Also, there is some actors from the first three movies who appear to say their impression about all kinds of things. Ridley Scott, H.R. Giger and Sigourney Weaver had many good things to tell us about.
My only disappointment, I think, would be that Alien Resurrection was a little bit ignored in this 1 hour and a half long documentary. The only persons interviewed who were in this 4th installment were the director, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and of course Sigourney Weaver. It made me a little bit sad because Alien Resurrection is my favorite of them all but Alien Evolution was so well done and what the people had to say was so interesting that I still give it a perfect 10 on 10 because it was excellent!
*I wish we could put 11...
My only disappointment, I think, would be that Alien Resurrection was a little bit ignored in this 1 hour and a half long documentary. The only persons interviewed who were in this 4th installment were the director, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and of course Sigourney Weaver. It made me a little bit sad because Alien Resurrection is my favorite of them all but Alien Evolution was so well done and what the people had to say was so interesting that I still give it a perfect 10 on 10 because it was excellent!
*I wish we could put 11...
A Bit Too Pompous
Theo Robertson22 May 2003
I don`t know what to think of Mark Kermode as a critic , he`s far better than the egocentric and sycophantic Johnathan Ross but nowhere near as good as the brilliant and witty Barry Norman . Kermode lacks the sense of humour needed for being a truly great film critic , but in this case he`s probably the most appropiate presenter for this documentary
ALIEN EVOLUTION could have been one of those tedious features with a bunch of thespians gibbering on about how honoured they were to work with a great director . Thankfully this is not the case , but that doesn`t mean it`s a classic documentary . Structured on themes like ` Ancestors ` Gestation ` and ` Birth ` directors , screenwriters , designers and actors discuss the concept , subtext and progression of the ALIEN saga , but this is where it`s flawed . Films are all about making money but you`d think it was some sort of intellectual art form the way the cast and crew talk about the first two movies " It`s the ultimate form of rape " etc . They do confess that the latter two films are indeed about money , but these two films only take up a very small percentage of recollections which is a pity because I was wondering how the people involved in the making of the original film feel about the series becoming one very dumb excuse in making money ? I guess talking about art is more important than talking about money , but it does strike me as being slightly dishonest . And there`s not enough info on the umpteen rejected storylines for ALIEN 3
One word of warning : Several scenes feature strobing light effects which may trigger fits amongst people suffering from photo sensitive epilepsy . Satillite stations warn viewers about this before they broadcast films , TV shows and pop videos , but for some reason network never does this .
ALIEN EVOLUTION could have been one of those tedious features with a bunch of thespians gibbering on about how honoured they were to work with a great director . Thankfully this is not the case , but that doesn`t mean it`s a classic documentary . Structured on themes like ` Ancestors ` Gestation ` and ` Birth ` directors , screenwriters , designers and actors discuss the concept , subtext and progression of the ALIEN saga , but this is where it`s flawed . Films are all about making money but you`d think it was some sort of intellectual art form the way the cast and crew talk about the first two movies " It`s the ultimate form of rape " etc . They do confess that the latter two films are indeed about money , but these two films only take up a very small percentage of recollections which is a pity because I was wondering how the people involved in the making of the original film feel about the series becoming one very dumb excuse in making money ? I guess talking about art is more important than talking about money , but it does strike me as being slightly dishonest . And there`s not enough info on the umpteen rejected storylines for ALIEN 3
One word of warning : Several scenes feature strobing light effects which may trigger fits amongst people suffering from photo sensitive epilepsy . Satillite stations warn viewers about this before they broadcast films , TV shows and pop videos , but for some reason network never does this .
Pretty good, but couldn't warm up to it.
MovieAddict20164 December 2004
Some of the interviews I found annoying. They should have focused less on the writers and more on the stars and directors. Too much time is spent focusing on the story behind the original film - i.e., pre-production - and by the time it gets around to the production aspect, and the sequels, etc., time has run out so they try to wrap everything up far too quickly.
I first caught this after a UK broadcast of ALIEN - it was featured after the film was over and I was eager to see it because I think Mark Kermode is a pretty good critic and always has something interesting to say.
But overall it's just a bit too superficial and annoying to consider deep - the other documentaries on the ALIEN Quadrilogy are much better.
I first caught this after a UK broadcast of ALIEN - it was featured after the film was over and I was eager to see it because I think Mark Kermode is a pretty good critic and always has something interesting to say.
But overall it's just a bit too superficial and annoying to consider deep - the other documentaries on the ALIEN Quadrilogy are much better.
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