‘Alien: Romulus’ puts too much stock in franchise flashbacks
(Sept. 15, 2024) — Watching any “Alien” movie requires some knowledge of the franchise. Understanding humanity’s experience with the aliens/xenomorphs typically makes for a more enjoyable experience.
That said, one can enjoy the newest film, “Alien: Romulus,” without having any familiarity with the series.
Since I’ve seen every entry in the “Alien” franchise multiple times, I caught every reference to them in “Romulus.” And there were plenty. So many, in fact, it bordered on absurd at times. Because of that, I imagine a newbie might have appreciated this film more than me.
Still, there is plenty to like about this film. The cinematography and production design are top-notch. Steam obscures, lights flicker, shadows bounce. There are many pulse-pounding scenes. Face-huggers are not as scary as the full-grown aliens, but they sure inspire a few moments of terror. Although I wish there were more than six characters, a few of them are likeable.
Where I feel the film fell flat was in the overuse of references and homages to the rest of the franchise. It’s almost like they tossed the scripts of the first four films in a blender and this was the result. I appreciated the grime and dirt like “Alien 3” and the cocoon nest scene inspired by “Aliens.” However, once it seemed I could not go five minutes without thinking “Oh, that is just like in …,” I started to lose interest. Which is a shame, because the film works by any other measure.
Despite my misgivings, I still recommend “Alien: Romulus” to both those unfamiliar and those who know the xenomorphs well. B
‘Didi’ character is hard to like
That summer between 8th and 9th grade might be the most formative time in the life of a child. It can also be the most awkward. This is where the title character of “Didi” finds himself.
Chris (Izaac Wang), or Didi as his mom and grandmother call him, is already shy and gawky. He has a small circle of friends who are all outgoing and bawdy. Chris and his older sister Vivian (Shirley Chen) do not get along. To Chris, his well-meaning mother (Joan Chen in a solid performance) only exists to nag him. Meanwhile, his live-in grandmother spends all her time finding fault with what she perceives to be a failing daughter-in-law. Chris’s social-emotional well-being is not very sturdy.
When Chris gets the nerve to begin talking to a girl, he starts to open up. He expands enough to meet some new, cooler friends. Yet, at every turn, his hormones and awkwardness contribute to self-sabotaging tendencies. He is, as the kids would say today, very cringe.
In addition to his cringiness, Chris is also very annoying. Wang does a fine job, but the character is hard to root for. Sometimes, you do feel for him. But then he screams at his mom and blows a chance at a relationship.
The film takes place in 2008 in Fremont, where it was shot. I had fun seeing the dated technology. YouTube and Facebook were still in their relative infancy, and flip phones were the only cellular option.
“Didi” is a realistic look at teen angst. The acting and soundtrack are top-notch. Yet, with mostly unlikeable characters, it can be a tough watch. B-
Jeff Mellinger
Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord.