REVIEW: ALIEN - ROMULUS

4/5

Free Face Hugs

119 Mins. Starring: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Robert Bobroczkyi & Aileen Wu. Screenplay: Fede Álvarez & Rodo Sayagues. Director: Fede Álvarez. In: Theatres.

RUN! Like an alternative AWOLNATION meme of scary situations for your reels. All as the original, cult science-fiction horror franchise 'Alien' returns like this was an 'Aliens' sequel. Right at the same time the fellow 80s (OK, 1979) haunting (or at least the original one was) sci-fi franchise 'The Terminator' is back, albeit without Arnie, for Netflix's new 'Zero' anime series. From the terrific trailers to the blood-red promotional poster that will hug your wall tighter than the bedsheets you pull up to your fearful eyes (beware the monsters under the bunk beds), it seems like the latest, and one of the greatest, in this Ridley Scott produced franchise that is no longer alien to us, is built around the amazing android of David Jonsson (outstanding in the 'Rye Lane' of the same complimenting path) issuing his warning command in red flag sinister British accent. Not to mention a sample of some of the best Dad jokes that like a comedian's cooking, tastes a little funny.

Leaving even Michael Fassbender's twinning bots looking like rookies in this solar system chess game, Jonsson steals the show to the whites of his eyes with every surprise. And he has no one to show him the fingering. From 'Prometheus' to 'Covenant', it feels like the latest Scott 'Alien' features have made us more paranoid about androids like Radiohead in these movies about Xenomorph predators. Those f###ing things that haunt us. But you best believe they're here, headbutting the glass again with their 'Family Guy' little mouth. Not so fast, y'all, because those built in Bane masks are back too. Not to mention even stranger things, like the appearance of 7'7 basketball player Robert Bobroczkyi (where was he in 'Aliens?'), amongst other surprises. One thing that keeps the bones of this back to basics, like the new LL Cool J album, space colony on the same ship's course, is the cast of relative unknowns outside of Hollywood circles.

After playing the love of Elvis's life in Sofia Coppola's 'Priscilla' and focussing on a key role in movie of the year, and our times, 'Civil War', this really is Cailee Spaeny's year (alongside Glen Powell twisting the night away as the biggest hit, man, of course). And here, just like Katherine Waterston in 'Alien: Covenant' with the gun assist, Spaeny in space shows she can play the Ripley games of franchise legend Sigourney Weaver. The 'Shadow and Bone' of Archie Renaux, 'Transformers: The Last Knight's' Isabela Merced and 'Tell Me Everything's' Spike Fearn also contribute to this colonist cast. But it's the feature film debut of Aileen Wu that really impresses, as well as reassuring me that some people just look the part bald. But we all know who the real stars of the show are, like Romulus and Remus, the Roman legends, not a comedy act, you Beavis and Buttheads. Covered in more goo than the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards that these actors are probably fresh out of.

Although we want to see Neill Blomkamp's 'Alien' movie, because 'District 9' and 'Elysium' was one hell of a job application, as much as we want to see Ben Affleck's 'Batman', 'Evil Dead' and 'Don't Breathe' director Fede Álvarez brings the previously alienated horror back to make both Ripley and Ridley proud. Scott is free of directing this franchise now, like George Lucas, and he can go back to his other gladiatorial arena this fall. Because before all this, the best 'Alien' film was Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds' 'Life'. Now air locked in with face hugging scenes of 'Jurassic Park' tension from a franchise that previously threw everything, including the kitchen sink, at you. Not to mention some zero gravity acid, blood in the water like scenes that are a real trip for your reflux. Bursting the box office's chest with no time to decompress. This is classic 'Alien', from the hull beginnings where no sound, let alone a scream, can be heard. But in space, can anybody hear you cheer? TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Alien', 'Prometheus', 'Alien: Covenant'.

ANIME REVIEW: TERMINATOR - ZERO

4/5

Lost In Salvation.

8 Episodes. Starring: Timothy Olyphant, Yasuhiro Mamiya, Sonoya Mizuno, Toa Yukinari, André Holland, Yuuya Uchida, Rosario Dawson,  Atsumi Tanezaki, Ann Dowd & Mari Yokoo. Screenplay: Mattson Tomlin. Director: Mattson Tomlin. Created By: Mattson Tomlin. On: Netflix.

DUNDUN-DUN-DUDUN. That iconic, Matthew McConaughey chest bumping, sound of metal theme is as synonymous with 'The Terminator' as Schwarzenegger himself. And in 'Terminator: Zero', now streaming on the Netflix service, we hear the big guns of an epic Easter Egg reference that sounds, take your headphones off as you answer the call for dinner, and you'll miss it, perfect. Now, all those thinking we don't need another 'Terminator', didn't you just get back from watching 'Alien: Romulus'? Face it, like a 'Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes' soft-reboot of sorts, these cult tent pole franchises will be made to do this until they're 90. Just ask Old Man Logan.

At least Arnie isn't shelling shower curtain rings this time. Although, he'll always be welcome back. This 'Zero' dark thirty is no movie like Jessica Chastain. Nor is it 'The Sarah Connor Chronicles' made for TV. Instead of picking up from the actually enjoyable 'Terminator: Dark Fate' and 'Genisys' which went back to the motherboard roots after the gritty 'Terminator: Salvation' got more hype for the on-set judgement of Christian Bale, 'Terminator: Zero' is right there with the 'Judgement Day' of 'T2'. Perhaps the only sequel to best its original (a true science-fiction horror, genre, time and mind bender) aside from 'The Godfather' and 'The Dark Knight' (and speaking of the third, we all know how trilogies end up). And you know, like the 'Dark Fate' throwbacks, that's exactly what the fans fiend for. Meanwhile this machine with a gun arm nails it...quite literally.

Tokyo, 1997. It's not just America where machines are wreaking havoc in this franchise hybrid. Why not the rising sun land of technology, from the Casio digital basics, to the innovations today that could see Skynet thrive? I mean, head into your local Japanese shopping mall today, and you'll be greeted by an affectionate 'I, Robot' like droid called Pepper, whose cute, loving eyes literally follow you around the store. And you thought A.I. was taking over. All for these model episodes that mirror the Tokyo gas attacks and the atomic bomb like a Godzilla metaphor. What more fitting of a time to be alive with one of the most original and outstanding sci-fi franchises around, even if they have been doing this to death for the longest, outdated, old machine time? These new parts really fit though, as this original show, originally called, 'Terminator: The Anime Series' shoulders a story another movie perhaps couldn't show. Telling it like the 'Pacific Rim: The Black' spin-off.

From the same Production I.G. house that recently gave you the great 'Kaiju No. 8', 'Terminator: Zero' brings out the top guns. Created, developed, scripted and directed by showrunner Matt Tomlin (the writer of 'Project Power' who gave an assist to 'The Batman' like Alfred), 'Zero' features Timothy Olyphant, Sonoya Mizuno, André Holland, Rosario Dawson and Ann Dowd for those who like to watch Studio Ghibli movies with American actor's voices for the big names. But, if you don't mind subtitles, are learning Japanese, or if you want to hear the original voices, then the stars themselves of, Yasuhiro Mamiya, Toa, Yukinari, Yuuya Uchida, Atsumi Tanezaki and Mari Yokoo have got you. So have some of the most amazing action scenes you have plugged into in a long time, as 'Zero' terminates on site any notion that this franchise has run out of time. There's always more road. And in Tokyo, that looks picture-perfect here, they keep building a net of Murakami '19Q4' highways to the sky for cop cars to chase. Save your judgement today, 'The Terminator' is well and truly back. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day', 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles', 'Pacific Rim: The Black'.