REVIEW: Alien: Romulus

As either the seventh or ninth film in the franchise (depending on whether you count the Alien vs Predator crossovers), Alien: Romulus is up against a huge amount of nostalgia and expectation. It’s unlikely any new instalment will ever reach the heights of 1979’s Alien or 1986’s Aliens, yet the lukewarm reception of Ridley Scott’s return with his two prequel films means that Romulus is needed to revitalise the franchise.

Fortunately, it manages that, with a few caveats. Romulus is undoubtedly the best Alien film in years, balancing sci-fi and horror in a way the series hasn’t really managed since Aliens. It’s visceral, violent and unsettling, although less gorily over-the-top than I expected from Evil Dede Alverez. His script, with his regular collaborator Rodo Sayagues, is a decisive critique of the horrors of capitalism and unchecked growth. Setting the film between Alien and Aliens allows the writers to explore a largely unknown period in the series’ future history, giving us a story connected to Ripley’s without impacting it directly.

On the other hand, Romulus’ reliance on knowing references and slavish recreation of the past limits it originality. We have a new cast of characters to follow and root for, an effective updated design for the Alien (now officially named onscreen as Xenomorph XX-121) and a new corner of the universe to explore, yet we have an antagonist almost literally resurrected from Alien’s history and the repeated use of fan-pleasing old lines, regardless of whether it makes sense in context. Much of this is to be expected; we are, after all, living in the age of nostalgia. What I didn’t anticipate was the writers picking up a plot thread from Prometheus, unfortunately one that lacked much logic or coherence in the first place. This comes to the fore in the final act, derailing an otherwise impressive movie.

What can’t be faulted is the cast. While we have an uniformly young and beautiful set of protagonists – no room for the weird and wonderful in this future – they are all extremely impressive in what are solidly well-written roles. The characters are believable in a way we haven’t seen in this franchise for years, making mistakes and rash decisions that we could see ourselves making in the impossible situation in which they find themselves.

SPOILERS FROM HERE

WHO REVIEW: The History Between Us

 

I love that, after sixty years, Doctor Who is still inspiring so much creative fandom. New generations of fans come to the show, explore its history, have their imaginations fired up, and go on to create their own stories. Some of these stories go on to inspire other fans; some writers will even go on to create official Doctor Who. It's all rather wonderful. Admittedly, it's a bit strange for me to see a book full of authors and artists going by their online handles, but then, pseudonyms have a long history and, well, I guess I'm getting old.

The History Between Us is a collection of stories featuring the Doctor and the Master, from the 77 Years Team. This group previously published 77 Years itself, exploring the Dhawan Master's accidental exile alluded to in Spyfall (I've now bought the digital edition of this, so expect another review in the future). This volume, which I picked up on the reprint for the 60^th anniversary and have finally had time to sit down and read properly, is more expansive, covering the two Time Lords' lives from their childhood on Gallifrey to their most recent run-in on TV, and beyond.

Fanthologies are nothing new, and nor is fiction exploring the relationship between the Doctor and the Master. Even the idea that they were once a couple, whose love has turned to an intense enmity that they've dragged out across time and space, isn't without precedent. Forcing them to sit down and talk to a marriage counsellor, though – that's a stroke of genius.

The first thing you notice when you pick up this book is just how gorgeous it is. Kris Merola's cover is absolutely stunning, and only the first of a selection of incredible illustrations in an array of styles. Then, of course, we have the stories themselves – one for each main Doctor, plus a framing story and an extra story at the very end, set some time in the future. (I won't reveal which Doctor and Master this one features, but they may have recently been brought into TV canon.) The stories explore their relationship and its fluctuating levels of friendship and enmity across the centuries. Any romance is included with a lightness of touch – the more intimate details of their relationship is kept to background and inference.

There's a very high standard to the writing here. Every story is strong, with the best being really quite excellent. I have some particular favourites. “On the Contrary Nature of Temporal Exobiology” by Ana M. explores the first meeting and growing friendship between the charismatic Koschei and the awkward Theta at the Academy. “Doctor Who and the Vortex Bloom” by Fennric explores the Third Doctor's life in exile, including the nature of his prisoner tattoo (in reality, Jon Pertwee's tattoo from his time in the Royal Navy, which has caused no end of fan debate). The story has a spot-on portrayal of the affectionate rivalry between the Third Doctor and the Delgado Master (and it's nice to see someone remember that sometimes the Three discarded his fancy clothes and got down to a T-shirt and jeans).

“Taphonomia” by Soph features the Fourth Doctor and “Crispy” Master, on his last legs and desperate. It's a subtly chilling story with a touch of horror. Sariane's Fifth Doctor story “The Wandering Mind” is a fascinating exploration of the Doctor's subconscious. “Nothing but Time” by Red brings the Eighth Doctor and the War Master together, in a tremendously fun, time-twisting tale that handles the tricky business of fitting in with TV continuity better than Big Finish usually manages. The highlight of the modern Doctor-Master pairs is “Not a Vessel for Your Good Intent” by Jay, a thoughtful exploration of the Missy's imprisonment and the reasons she and the Doctor are going through with it.

While these were the stand-out entries for me, every story presents an intriguing take on the Doctor and the Master. Of course, not every Doctor met the Master on TV, and while most of their respective incarnations meet in order, there are some unexpected pairings. A truly masterful collection.

Physical copies of this book are no longer available, however, ebook and audiobook versions can still be ordered through the 77 Live Team website.

REVIEW: Deadpool & Wolverine

SPOILERS FROM THE START