TV REVIEW: ALIEN - EARTH Season 1

4/5

Battlefield Earth

8 Episodes. Starring: Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, Adarsh Gourav, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Jonathan Ajayi, David Rysdahl, Diêm Camille, Moe Bar-El, Adrian Edmondson & Timothy Olyphant. Created By: Noah Hawley. On: Hulu & Disney +.

The real threat to earth as we know it may just be what had you cancelling your Hulu and Disney Plus accounts last week, but 'Alien: Earth' is worth sticking around, like a face-hugger, for a little bit longer. Created by 'Fargo' and 'Legion's' Noah Hawley, this science fiction horror legend is the first TV series in the 'Alien' franchise and you best believe, it won't be the last. No matter if it's strange to see the brutal and brilliant brainchild of legend Ridley Scott on the small screen, like it is to see the iconic Xenomorph rocking around earth and literally crashing pretentious parties. The eight part wonder of the FX show has just concluded and is a calendar fresh-off of the 'Alien: Romulus' hit that brought the franchise back down to earth, before this literal one, after years of 'Prometheus' like pondering and 'District 9's' Neil Blomkamp rumours and then disappointment. And besides, if anime worked for its 'Predator' versus partner with 'Killer Of Killers' earlier this year, before the 'Prey' following 'Badlands' to come, you just know anything the dreadlocks can do, this ugly mother can do better.

Back to basics, like 'Romulus', this earthbound Alien makes the franchise that much more legendary, like Sigourney Weaver about to star in 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' for 'Star Wars'. You feel like you're back in the good old days of acid blood reign and the milk of androids. Even if after all this time and plot points, this franchise should really be called 'Aliens and Androids' like some sort of 90s alternative rock act. Yet how scene-stealer Babou Ceesay and the great Timothy Olyphant (fresh off of his 'Terminator: Zero' anime voicing) apply themselves even one-ups last year's big picture. The lead, mind you, is Kyle's daughter Sydney Chandler, with no nepotism to her name. Delivering the second best "run".  Leading an ensemble cast that also features Alex Lawther, Essie Davis and Samuel Blenkin playing a prized prick of a rich genius, morally bankrupt and ready to sink his own ship with all the power that corrupts in these absolute times. Erana James, Lily Newmark, Jonathan Ajayi, David Rysdahl, Diêm Camille and Moe Bar-El also make their mark, as cast and literal crew, but it's Adarsh Gourav's tortured manipulation that really stays with you. Even next to greats like Adrian Edmondson in a CEO like commanding role.

The soundtrack is great, and as throwback as it comes. The credits often close with alternative rock that takes you back, like the Smashing Pumpkins, coincidentally one week before I saw them play live in Tokyo. It's all still relevant, like the 'Strange Brew' of the opening theme from creator Hawley and Jeff Russo that is truly jarring and a great way of showing you what previously happened on the show without a need for the skip recap tab. Keeping everything open, the meat and potatoes of this old school human buffet line is the best thing to consume before the animated 'Marvel Zombies' take over. The scary and stylish signature slow burner has a perfect premise as the opening type gives us three destinies for the immortality of mankind, which we might need, right now, no red or blue pill about it in this matrix. The first is cybernetically enhanced humans. The second, artificially intelligent beings. And the third, synthetic beings with downloaded human consciousness. Or cyborgs, synths and hybrids for short. We told you, that was a lot of androids dreaming...and there's wild sheep chases too in this electric epic. But you know what the planet's biggest threat is though, and this monster trumps them all. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Alien: Romulus', 'Prometheus', 'Predator: Killer Of Killers'.