Alien Romulus: Disney Ruined It

"Alien: Romulus" had the opportunity to reinvigorate the "Alien" franchise with a fresh take, but unfortunately, it falls short of expectations. While the "Alien" series has always thrived on a perfect blend of sci-fi horror, creature design, and claustrophobic dread, "Romulus" feels like a poor imitation of its predecessors—particularly when it comes to its characters, pacing, and overall execution.

A Weak Copy of Ripley: The Main Character Struggles to Shine

It’s hard to watch "Romulus" and not immediately draw comparisons to Ellen Ripley, the legendary heroine of the franchise. The main character here feels like a watered-down, uninspired version of Ripley, attempting to capture her strength and resourcefulness but falling flat. There’s a distinct lack of originality, with the character aging down as if to appeal to a younger audience, but the result is someone forgettable, without the emotional depth or grit that made Ripley an iconic character.

Creature Placement: Misstep in Pacing

One of the most glaring issues in "Romulus" is the placement of the creature reveal. The alien, which should have been introduced much earlier to establish tension and horror, doesn’t truly take center stage until near the end. This undermines the film’s ability to build suspense, making the first two-thirds of the movie feel sluggish and empty. By the time the creature arrives, it’s too late to save the slow-paced buildup, and the final payoff feels underwhelming.

Robot Protagonist: A Missed Opportunity for Depth

One of the more intriguing elements in the "Alien" franchise has always been the inclusion of synthetic characters, from Ash in "Alien" to David in "Prometheus" and "Covenant". In "Romulus", the robot protagonist had the potential to add depth and complexity to the narrative, but the character doesn’t live up to the legacy of its predecessors. While their role is central to the plot, it feels underdeveloped, and the robot’s motivations lack the nuance that made earlier android characters so compelling.

Violence and Gore: Could Have Gone Further

While the gore and violence in "Romulus" are serviceable, they don’t quite reach the visceral, stomach-churning heights fans expect from an "Alien" film. There are certainly moments of brutality, but they feel restrained compared to the graphic horror of previous entries in the franchise. For a movie that’s meant to leave you on edge, the impact is lessened by the lack of intensity in its most violent scenes.

 Strong Set Design and CGI

One of the few redeeming qualities of "Romulus" is its set design and CGI. The film does a great job of creating an eerie, industrial atmosphere with dark corridors and claustrophobic spaces reminiscent of the original "Alien". The alien creatures, once they do appear, are rendered well, and the environments are immersive. Visually, the film succeeds in evoking the bleak, dystopian future the franchise is known for, though this can’t make up for the shortcomings in story and character development.

Ash-Like Science Officer: Overused Trope

The film also rehashes the “science officer with a secret agenda” trope, introducing a character clearly modeled after Ash from the original "Alien". While the character is competently written and performs their role in the story, this feels like a tired retread of a plot point we’ve seen multiple times in the franchise. It would have been more interesting to explore a different dynamic or add new layers to the familiar character type, but instead, it’s a safe, predictable choice.

Missed Potential for Alien Worldbuilding

One of the greatest disappointments with "Romulus" is the missed opportunity to further explore the expansive lore set up by "Prometheus" and "Alien: Covenant". Both films teased fascinating ideas about the origins of the Xenomorphs, the black goo, and the Engineers, but "Romulus" completely ignores these threads. Instead of introducing new alien species or civilizations, the movie stays in the comfort zone of Xenomorphs, offering nothing new to the universe.

The black goo from "Prometheus" makes a return but is handled poorly, used more as a plot device than a meaningful exploration of its terrifying potential. It feels like a wasted callback that could have been far more impactful with better execution.

Bad Acting Drags the Film Down

Another major issue with "Romulus" is the subpar acting. Most of the cast feels disconnected, phoning in performances that lack energy and emotional weight. Andy’s character is the exception—well-acted and bringing a much-needed sense of depth—but unfortunately, the rest of the ensemble fails to elevate the film. With such weak character performances, it’s hard to invest in the story or care about the fate of the characters.

Not What Fans Wanted: A Sci-Fi Horror That Falls Short

Given the success of recent creature features like "Prey", fans were likely expecting something on par—an intense, gripping sci-fi horror film. Instead, "Romulus" falls into a muddled middle ground, lacking the terror and suspense that made "Alien" and "Aliens" so memorable. The movie struggles to maintain any consistent tension, and what should have been a thrilling, nail-biting ride ends up feeling uninspired and forgettable.

Disney’s Influence and a Disappointing Result

It’s hard to ignore the influence of Disney on "Romulus", especially after their acquisition of 20th Century Fox. There’s a sense that the film has been sanitized or “toned down,” as if trying to appeal to a broader audience while sacrificing the gritty, intense horror the "Alien" franchise is known for. This softer approach dilutes what could have been a much more impactful film, and many fans will likely feel that Disney has mishandled this beloved series.

Final Thoughts: Skippable and Forgettable

In the end, "Alien: Romulus" feels like a missed opportunity. What could have been a bold new direction for the franchise instead plays it safe, rehashing old ideas without bringing anything new to the table. From the poorly executed creature reveal to the lackluster characters and recycled tropes, the film falls flat in almost every department. While the set design and CGI are strong, they can’t save "Romulus" from feeling like a shallow imitation of its predecessors.

For die-hard fans of the franchise, "Romulus" is truly skippable. It fails to deliver on its promise as a sci-fi horror film, and viewers might find themselves wishing for the intensity and innovation of earlier installments. Even the trailer might have set false expectations, as the actual film is far from the gritty, tension-filled experience it should have been.