Movies

Alien: Romulus director Fede Alvarez addresses Prometheus criticism

BBG News

As a gamer with over three decades of my life spent immersed in the vast universe of science fiction, I can confidently say that Alien: Romulus has piqued my interest like no other prequel has dared to do since the original Alien graced our screens back in 1979. Fede Alvarez’s approach to this film, with its focus on staying true to the spirit of the original while crafting a story that feels fresh and exciting, has me eagerly anticipating its release.

The film “Romulus” transports us to an earlier time in the series, following its journey back in time twice, as depicted in “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant.”

Fans had varying reactions to Ridley Scott’s prequels, and a common complaint about the movie “Prometheus” was that its visual aesthetic seemed overly contemporary despite being set 29 years prior to the storyline in “Alien.”

Nevertheless, Director and co-writer of “Alien: Romulus”, Fede Alvarez, has stood up for the prequel and provided an insight into the film’s visual style.

He explained to Digital Spy, “We tend to err in thinking that whatever a movie portrays is an accurate reflection of the entire universe.”

As a film enthusiast with over 40 years of viewing under my belt, I must confess that I find it perplexing when people criticize “Prometheus” for being too modern. I can understand their confusion, but let me clarify why this is not the case. To me, the comparison between “Prometheus” and “Alien” feels off-base due to my personal experience with both films.

As a gamer, if I were to venture into the serene countryside and spin a yarn from an aged pickup truck reminiscent of the 1930s, an extraterrestrial observer might assume this is the entirety of our world. They’d be unaware that there are bustling cities filled with Teslas and modern marvels, hidden gems in the vast cosmic map they’ve yet to discover.

As a movie enthusiast, let me share that the director subtly reveals this futuristic vehicle cruising along the highway. Of course, at first glance, it appears to be just an ordinary truck. However, given the science fiction genre, we can only assume it’s advanced technology – but remember, these are all assumptions on our part.

In Alvarez’s thought process, when designing the appearance of “Alien: Romulus”, he opted for a ship design that would align more closely with the time period of the vessels seen in the original “Alien” film.

Primarily, the filmmaker aimed to recreate the emotion that viewers experienced while watching the initial film.

He mused, “One key lesson from ‘Evil Dead’ is that it’s important to remain true to the essence of the initial movies, not just by repeating the same tale, but by preserving their spirit.”

You aim to create an authentic experience, where viewing it leaves you convinced it truly fits within the movie’s universe, as if it were a genuine part of it.

As I delved into writing this, I aimed to capture the magic of my initial cinema experiences. I wanted to evoke the unique feelings those movies sparked within me, and then figure out a way to convey that same emotion to you.

Alvarez discussed the secret message behind the title with Digital Spy, and hinted at the shocking conclusion that awaits us.

Alien: Romulus is released in cinemas on August 16.

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2024-08-14 11:49

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