The Alien Universe Explained: Prometheus Timeline & Reviews

The Thrifty Typewriter・2 minutes read

Recent UFO sightings have garnered attention, with a notable incident in California and an object falling into someone's backyard. A detailed exploration of the Alien franchise films reveals their timelines, theories, characters, and unique aspects, leading to mixed reviews and ratings for each installment.

Insights

  • UFO sightings, including a triangle over a California base, have recently captured attention.
  • The Alien franchise, from the slow-burn horror of the first film to the gory intensity of later installments, offers a diverse and evolving cinematic experience.
  • "Prometheus" and "Alien Covenant" delve into complex themes of creation, evolution, and faith, expanding the franchise's lore and offering unique perspectives on the "Alien" universe.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Alien franchise about?

    The Alien franchise follows a series of sci-fi horror films.

  • Who directed the first Alien movie?

    Ridley Scott directed the first Alien movie.

  • What is the rating for Aliens?

    Aliens is rated 8.7 out of 10.

  • What is the premise of Prometheus?

    Prometheus serves as a prequel to the original Alien.

  • What is the plot of Alien: Covenant?

    Alien: Covenant follows a crew investigating a dangerous planet.

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Summary

00:00

Alien Franchise: Lore, Suspense, and Action

  • UFO sightings have been prominent recently, including a triangle hovering over a base in California.
  • Witness called 9-1-1 after an object fell from the sky into their backyard.
  • The Alien franchise has been a mystery, but after watching all the films, the timeline and theories are clear.
  • A deep dive into the lore, characters, and timeline of the Alien franchise is undertaken.
  • The first Alien movie in 1979, directed by Ridley Scott, is a slow-burn horror film inspired by Star Wars.
  • Practical effects were used in the film, with miniature models creating the ships.
  • Ellen Ripley is introduced as a smart and relatable protagonist in the film.
  • The film creates a claustrophobic and isolated atmosphere, building suspense effectively.
  • The presence of a robot character adds a twist to the plot, enhancing the mystery.
  • Despite great practical effects and cinematography, the presence of a cat in the film is a personal issue for the reviewer, who rates the film 8.5 out of 10.
  • Aliens, directed by James Cameron, picks up where the first film left off, expanding the world and lore of the Alien Universe.
  • The film balances expanding the world without overwhelming the audience with exposition.
  • The film feels like a thriller, with the aliens remaining consistently scary due to their design and James Cameron's directing.
  • The survival horror aspect of the film is well-executed, with constant concern about resources and ammo.
  • Ripley's relationship with Newt adds depth to her character, making her more relatable.
  • The ending of the film showcases the robots' faithfulness and the humans' potential for betrayal.
  • The film is rated 8.7 out of 10 for its suspense, characters, action, and effects that hold up well.
  • The anticipation for the next film in the franchise is high after the positive experience with Aliens.

14:10

"Alien" film series: A concise overview

  • "Alien 3" was directed by David Fincher, his first film, released six years after "Aliens."
  • The film is set on a planet with male prisoners, where Ripley must collaborate with them to survive an alien attack.
  • Notable characters from "Aliens," like Hicks and Bishop, are killed off early in "Alien 3."
  • The movie is the most violent and gory of the series, showing the alien more frequently.
  • The lack of weapons and traps adds a unique element to the familiar isolated setting.
  • The film lacks a cohesive direction for the trilogy, with no overarching story or plan to stop the alien species.
  • The ending, reminiscent of "Terminator 2," feels unearned due to the basic nature of the film.
  • Early scripts for "Alien 3" had more complex storylines involving rivaling enterprises and weaponizing aliens.
  • The assembly cut of the film is said to be an improvement, but the original version is criticized.
  • Overall, "Alien 3" is considered a mediocre third film in a trilogy, scoring 5 out of 10.
  • "Alien: Resurrection" takes a different direction, introducing a cloned Ripley 200 years after her death.
  • The film features a group of pirates and experiments involving the Queen alien baby inside Ripley.
  • Ripley's superhuman abilities in this installment make her character less relatable and more peculiar.
  • The story, set on Earth, is more interesting than "Alien 3," with pirates and government experiments.
  • The practical effects for the alien are praised, making it the most horrifying in the franchise.
  • The film is gory but balances scares from the original "Alien" and the violence of "Alien 3."
  • "Alien: Resurrection" is rated 6 out of 10, considered a standard survival horror film.
  • "Prometheus" serves as a prequel to the original "Alien," focusing on scientists searching for their creators.
  • The film is directed by Ridley Scott, returning to the franchise after the initial film.
  • The protagonist is different from Ripley, headstrong and ambitious, leading to a unique dynamic.
  • Michael Fassbender's character, David, stands out as a complex and gray character, contrasting with the original film's antagonist.
  • The pacing of the film is well-done until the third act, which feels rushed and confusing.
  • "Prometheus" provides answers to questions from the original film, like the giant alien being and the alien ship.
  • The film features some callbacks to the original, with standout performances from Fassbender and Idris Elba.
  • The movie's second half is criticized for introducing confusing rules and twists that don't align with the established story.
  • Despite some flaws, "Prometheus" is praised for its atmosphere, visual effects, and unique take on the franchise.
  • Overall, "Prometheus" is rated 7 out of 10, offering a different approach to the "Alien" universe.

28:41

"Alien Covenant" Explores Humanity, Evolution, and Faith

  • The movie is captivating initially but loses momentum halfway through, still better than Alien 3 and 4, with Ridley Scott directing.
  • Michael Fassbender's character, David, plays a central role and is the standout of the film.
  • The crew in "Alien Covenant" receives a distress signal from a dangerous planet while seeking a new home for humanity.
  • The film introduces a new protagonist, Dany, reminiscent of Ripley, offering a better character to root for.
  • The plot mirrors the original "Alien" film, with a crew investigating a distant planet after receiving a distress call.
  • The movie expands the franchise's lore, offering new scares and world-building elements.
  • "Alien Covenant" is notably more violent than its predecessors, earning its R rating with intense horror scenes.
  • The film features dumb decisions by characters, a common trope in horror and sci-fi movies.
  • The story ends on a somber note, hinting at a potential conclusion to the trilogy in the future.
  • The film explores themes of humanity's creation, evolution, and faith, standing out from typical sequels by delving into complex thematic elements.

43:37

Prometheus engineers shape humanity, new Alien stories.

  • The engineers in Prometheus had a role in developing humanity, leading to a cycle of creation and destruction involving humans, androids like David, and the engineers themselves. The upcoming Prometheus Trilogy film by Ridley Scott may bridge the gap between Alien Covenant and the original Alien film, while a new Alien film by Fede Alvarez called Alien Romulus and an Alien TV show offer exciting new stories in the universe.
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