Thursday, November 08, 2007

CLARIFICATION: NEWBORN & PREDALIEN

Based on a few conversations lately, here is a clarification of sorts on the differences between the NEWBORN (Alien: Resurrection) and the PREDALIEN (AvP-R).

NEWBORN: The newborn looked dramatically different from the "normal" Alien, because it was the result of genetic manipulation and/or gene splicing. The scientists in Resurrection cloned Ripley from blood samples at the end of Alien3, when she had the Alien Queen fetus inside her. So when they cloned her, the queen was cloned too....which doesn't make sense, but they fudged the concept of the Alien modifiying the host's DNA during impregnation to fit this idea. Ripley in Resurrection was the 8th attempt and only "success". But she wasn't perfect because the Aliens born from the cloned queen took on mammal attributes; growling, less hive-mind, etc. Then the queen mutated and grew a funky birth sack in which the Newborn grew. The Newborn is basically an abomination created by mad scientists.
[ "push! push! push!" ]

PREDALIEN: The word "hybrid" is used alot when referring to the Predalien... the directors themselves use it. But "hybrid" is an inaccurate term to describe the Predalien because its origins are like that of any other Alien; facehugger on host, to chestburster, to adult alien. The only difference with the Predalien is the host; a Predator. The first two movie Aliens were not hybrid "HumAliens".

So really, the only hybrid would be the Newborn. Both are stupid.

Again, the concept of the alien taking on physical attributes came from ALIEN 3 where many people were frantically throwing ideas around. The end script was an amalgamation of several different scripts by different writers plus some "studio exec's" ideas. The movie is known for its hellish production from beginning to end. At one point, they had chestbursters bursting out of heads, arms, legs, etc. It's really crappy that the horrible ideas of that movie forever changed the mythos of Aliens. To put it in Star Wars speak, the Dog Alien, Newborn and Predalien is like having the Force being a virus.

It's a real shame, because now the series has become the 90's silly toyline; Gorilla Alien, Rhino Alien, Spider Alien, Bull Alien.....
[ Click image to enlarge - these are for real ]

That is why original Aliens fans, like myself, agree that the alien does not change from host-to-host. The original design (and that of the 2nd one which was slightly different) is just perfect. Ash even says its the perfect organism. I agree. There is no need for change; anything else is a step down. So that's why "my version" of the Predalien had only SLIGHT changes.... and those changes were based only on the hypothetical idea that it HAD to be different looking. Again, I'd have the Alien look the same regardless of it's host. That's how the first two movies, several novels and comics had it before Alien 3 fucked it up.
[ JimSmash Predalien ]

Previous "Unable To Let It Go" Newborn/Predalien post

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Nice explanation that actually makes sense.

Maybe I should go back and re-watch the original "Alien." I've not seen it since I was a jr in highs chool and that was 8 years ago. Maybe I'll appreciate it more now.

Are "Aliens" and "Alien 3" also worth re-watching?

Jim said...

Nothing pleases me more than hearing that someone is going to [re]watch ALIEN or ALIENS! :)

Definitely watch ALIEN and ALIENS.
However, do NOT watch the Special Edition of either... ESPECIALLY the SE of ALIENS... its HORRIBLE!!!

So watch:
ALIEN (theatrical)
ALIENS (theatrical)
ALIEN3 (extended cut)

While I don't like Alien3, the extended cut is much better. The first half is fantastic... unfortunately about 10min after the Alien shows up, it goes downhill. But I always recommend watching the new extended cut of Alien3.

Jim said...

btw, ALIENS (theatrical) is my favorite movie.

Unknown said...

I looked on Netflix and they have the "Alien Quadrilogy Set" which is the "collectors edition" of Aliens 1-4.

Do you know if the "collectors edition" is the same as the "special edition" or could it possible be the theatrical version?

Anonymous said...

I would put good money that it's the Special Edition,....you might havre to snoop around for the old school theatrical.....It's like Blade Runner. You v=can only find the "directors cut" and on,..you can't get the theatrical (that I've seen anyway) anywhere other than an old VHS