
Alien 3
1992, Sci fi/Horror, 1h 55m
60 Reviews 250,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Alien3 takes admirable risks with franchise mythology, but far too few pay off in a thinly scripted sequel whose stylish visuals aren't enough to enliven a lack of genuine thrills. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Ellen Ripley
Dillon
Clemens
Golic
Andrews
Aarom
News & Interviews for Alien 3
Critic Reviews for Alien 3
All Critics (60) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (33)
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Just at the point when Alien 3 should kick into high terror gear, it becomes clear that this hushed, somber sequel doesn't know how to deliver the goods.
February 9, 2018 | Full Review… -
It suffers from poor supporting performances, and a plot that splutters instead of pushing on; but when the chase is on, all is forgiven.
January 4, 2018 | Full Review… -
For all its inherent structural problems, Alien remains a worthy intended conclusion to the series, finding its true resolution in Ripley's resolve to break the endless cycle of her torment.
May 19, 2017 | Full Review… -
A fascinating, often fantastic, film, one simultaneously indebted to and self-consciously divorced from its acclaimed predecessors in ways both clunky and inspired.
March 25, 2010 | Rating: B+ | Full Review… -
Good acting has salvaged many a poor script in the past, but not here.
February 9, 2006 | Full Review… -
The soulless Alien is essentially an amalgam of power shots.
December 15, 2003 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Alien 3
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May 18, 2017(Special Edition - Assembly Cut 2003) Alien 3 is one of those situations where the quality of the film we got is no one and everyone's fault. With a young and inexperienced David Fincher, an actress making demands, a script that was being written on the fly, and a less than compromising studio, Alien 3 is about as disappointing of an end to a trilogy as I can remember. Alien and Aliens are two entirely different films that provide tension in different ways. Alien relies on our fear of the unknown, while Aliens is a relentless action film that never lets down its guard. Alien 3 once again changes up the formula, but is inferior in every way. Slow, brooding, and lacking any excitement or tension provided from the first two makes this film only watchable because of Ellen Ripley. But even that feels tarnished due to Sigourney Weaver demanding Ripley to not hold any guns, which in turn meant the entire prison she's trapped in seem illogical. Let me get this straight, we're on a prison filled with murderers and rapists, and the guards don't have any weapons to use if things go bad? But really the problem with Alien 3 is just that there were way too many cooks in the kitchen. It seems like everyone involved had their own agenda and vision for how the story should pan out. What we got was a messy script, an uneven tone, and unfinished CGI/visual effects. Not to mention the fact that some of our favorite characters from Aliens were swept away to either glorified cameos or killed off unceremoniously. The entire production of this film was an absolute disaster. Sadly, it's hard not to think of how this film impacts some people's viewings of the first two masterpieces. There's always something to be said for taking a film series in a new direction, and Alien 3 attempts to do that with Ripley's unique relationship to the Xenomorph. But if you're going to do that, don't compromise the story or tarnish the spirit of the films that came before just to get what you want out of a threequel. In my mind, this series ends after Alien and Aliens, and begins with Prometheus. Including Alien 3 and Resurrection in the discussion is off the table. Heck, David Fincher himself has disowned the film that he directed. +The attempt at changing the feel of the third film -Messy -Poorly written -Too many cooks in the kitchen 5.0/10Thomas D Super Reviewer
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Jun 22, 2016Interesting idea for this film. Pretty much takes place right after the events of "Aliens." The plot of this film goes from action based to a more character based feel. Story/script is interesting though. How do you protect yourself/fight aliens with little to no weapons? Worth a look if you are an Aliens fan or are just trying to finish off the franchise but it's nowhere near how good "Aliens" was.Patrick W Super Reviewer
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Nov 22, 2014[Assembly Cut] 3.5-4.Kyle M Super Reviewer
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Feb 18, 2013Being one of the rare few that can stomach "Alien 3's" annoying ignorance of it's predecessor, this is an entertaining film in it's own right due to it's grim atmosphere and low-key characters.Joshua H Super Reviewer
Alien3 Quotes
Golic: | In an insane world, a sane man must appear insane. |
Ellen Ripley: | You've been in my life so long, I can't remember anything else. |
Dillon: | Why? Why are the innocent punished? Why the sacrifice? Why the pain? There aren't any promises. Nothing certain. Only that some get called, some get saved. She won't ever know the hardship and grief for those of us left behind. We commit these bodies to the void with a glad heart. For within each seed, there is a promise of a flower, and within each death, no matter how small, there's always a new life. A new beginning. |
Dillon: | You're all gonna die. Only question is how you check out. Do you want it on your feet...or on your fucking knees...begging? I ain't much for begging and nobody ever gave me nothin'. So I say, "Fuck that thing! Let's fight it!" |
Dillon: | You're all gonna die. Only question is how you check out. Do you want it on your feet...or on your fucking knees...begging? I ain't much for begging and nobody ever gave me nothin'. So I say, 'Fuck that thing! Let's fight it!' |
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