4K Digital Review of Alien: Romulus

 

The Alien franchise has been one of my favorites for years. The combination of sci-fi and horror has captivated me for decades. While the more recent takes on the franchise have been less than stellar, Alien: Romulus is a return to form. While it is a standalone film set between the first two movies, it pays homage to the first three movies while carving out its own narrative. 

The story takes place on a remote mining planet. A group of young colonists are joining an expedition to salvage a space station and use it as their opportunity to escape from their livelihood. Little do they know that the station was once a bio-lab where deadly experiments took place. As the station comes back online, so do the creatures that that were meant to be left behind.

Director Fede Alvarez creates an atmosphere that fits the aesthetic of when the original movie was made. It doesn't feel like a harsh leap in technology. It feels rough and gritty like the original movies. Alvarez sets the tone perfectly. The young cast also helps with stellar performances. Led by Rain (Cailee Spaeny), the entire cast is solid and do not try to recreate the performances of any other actors in the franchise.

Video:

The 4K Digital transfer here is stunning. It intensifies everything from the close-ups of the Xenomorphs to the claustrophobic interiors of the space station. The shadows are inky black and the details of the station are crystal clear. The sharpness of the video adds to the intensity of each scene and only adds layers to the creepy atmosphere. 

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos track only adds to the the terror. The sound design is immersive from the acid blood dripping around you to the shrieks of the creatures stalking their prey. The film's score adds to the tension and fear.

Bonus Features:

Return to Horror: Crafting Alien: Romulus

• The Director’s Vision – Discover how one of today’s greatest horror directors, Fede Alvarez, collaborated with master filmmaker Ridley Scott to craft a new, heart-pounding chapter in the Alien franchise.
• Creating the Story – Learn what inspired the story of Alien: Romulus and see the many easter eggs from previous Alien installments that you may have missed.
• Casting the Faces – Meet the stars of Alien: Romulus as they take us inside the hearts and minds of their characters. Explore the parallels between Rain and the iconic franchise heroine, Ripley, and learn how filmmakers brought back a face from the past.
• Constructing the World – Explore the massive, practical sets of Alien: Romulus that hearken back to the futuristic style established in the '80s and get up close and personal with a hoard of practically built facehuggers, chestbursters, and xenomorphs.

Inside the Xenomorph Showdown – Experience the film’s climactic zero-gravity sequence from every angle as filmmakers break down what it took to make the moment spectacular. From sets and performances, to wirework, stunts, and VFX, see how it all came together.

Alien: A Conversation – A special conversation with Ridley Scott and Fede Alvarez for the Alien 45th Anniversary theatrical re-release.

Alternate / Extended Scenes – Check out scenes that didn't make the final cut.

*Bonus features may vary by product and retailer

Alien: Romulus is now available on digital and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on December 3rd.

Conclusion:

Alien: Romulus delivers all of the tension, fear and horror that one expects from an Alien movie. The 4K Digital release only heightens all of these to another level. Extremely detailed video and exceptional audio make this the definitive way to experience the movie. A welcomed addition to your movie library.