In celebration of the recent streaming series, Alien: Earth (whether you enjoyed it or not), I have created a new list of films that most certainly exist in the Weyland-Yutani universe, and if not certainly, then enjoy an unbelievably tenuous link to it.

This will be an ordered list of sixteen films, four a week, in reverse order, and is guaranteed to enrage you. The Alien and Predator films, and all those in between, are beloved by some, held sacred by a few, and the subjects of intense debate. My opinions will most certainly not align with yours, but I hope to keep you guessing as to my top four!

#12 – Prometheus (2012)

Strong link, or tenuous as all hell? Strong like ox.

What’s the link? It’s in the Alien universe. There’s an old geezer called Weyland in it.

What’s it all about? Set 29 years before the events of Alien, Prometheus tells the tale of the crew of the titular research vessel as they follow some ancient star maps in search of humanity’s origins, all funded by nefarious prune, Peter Weyland. Shenanigans ensue.

Anyhoo, you read that right. Number 12. Not even in the top ten. I’ve been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride with Sir Ridder’s attempt to breathe new life into his own creation. Right now the coaster is plummeting towards a brick wall.

When I first saw Prometheus, in 2012, it was in a state-of-the-art cinema, as befitting a film that I expected to blow me away visually while expanding the lore I was so deeply invested in. True, the visual and auditory effects did indeed blow my socks off, a shame the same can’t be said of the story, the writing, or the characters. I emerged from that fancy flea-pit not only disappointed, but furious, and I penned an outrageously salty review that very day (not digging that up). I hated the stupidity of the characters, the origin of the ‘space jockey,’ and the terrible editing choices, among other things.

I watched it again a few years later and didn’t hate it so much, then again and got irked once more. I then watched it with my son who was 14 at the time and enjoyed it through his reactions, but watched it again recently and decided that was the last time I would, as it annoyed me all over again.

So, I tried. Interestingly, as I stated before, I really enjoyed Alien: Earth, and many of the characters in that show behaved fairly idiotically, so I guess I should cut Prometheus some slack.

5/10

#11 – Alien 3 (1992)

Strong link, or tenuous as all hell? It’s an Alien film.

What’s the link? A Weyland-Yutani team turns up at the end to cause some mischief.

What’s it all about? One of the two stories to take place in 2179 (the other being Aliens), the third installment lands Ripley on a prison planet populated with mostly British ne’er-do-wells and a solitary xenomorph. Much ghastliness and Cockney lingo ensues.

I’ve read all the stories about the tortuous film production, Fincher’s struggles, budgetary collapses, and studio interference, and I’ll concede that none of this helped matters, but I’m not a fan. I’ve watched it a half dozen times, and although I genuinely enjoy many of the performances in the film, and the visual elegance of Fincher’s ballsy direction, I just can’t get over my dislike of the xenomorph effects, especially the terrible compositing. Feel free to call me a sad little SFX snob, but the matte lines around the xeno and the janky puppet they used really wind me up, and I can’t overlook them.

A shame, as I totally dig the production design, Bishop’s animatronic head, and Ralph Brown’s ‘85’. Of course, the killing off of Hicks and Newt has stuck in many a nerd’s craw, but their deaths are offset by Brian Glover’s delightful yanking into the rafters, so I forgive the film for that. Ultimately, not a film I watch for pleasure, and that includes the director’s cut.

5/10

#10 – Alien Resurrection (1997)

Strong link, or tenuous as all hell? Not as strong as you might think.

What’s the link? Weyland-Yutani has been replaced by the USM (military science branch). In the special edition it is revealed that Weyland-Yutani has been bought out by Wal-mart. You read that correctly. Just another Joss Whedon witticism to add to the collection.

What’s it all about? 200 years after the events of Alien 3, the USM have finally managed to create a clone of Ripley (their eighth attempt), and an alien queen embryo, which was their main goal. They get the egg production line fired up, just in time for a bunch of colourful smugglers to provide some hapless ‘carriers’ for the new xenomorph babies. Naturally, it all goes horribly wrong.

So, this maligned entry makes it into the top ten, mostly because I love anything Jean-Pierre Jeunot makes. He brings a great deal of his signature, sepia, European flair to the story, and there are some truly fantastic moments; the initial xenomorph escape, the underwater ballet followed by the long ladder sequence, and much of Call’s rocky relationship with Ripley, whose memories are seeping back in and who wants to replace her daughter and daughter replacement (Newt).

To be fair, the characters are a little one-dimensional, and Whedon has littered the script with his usual glib dialogue and inappropriate reactions to peril, but dammit, I love Brad Dourif out-grimacing the xenos, and Ron Perlman bringing his Quest for Fire persona to a space pirate.

Definitely not a perfect film though, and the entire third act with that bloody ‘newborn’ monstrosity does my head in. I really dislike that creature design, and feel that this ending adds nothing except to have a final boss ending, which many of the films feel obliged to tack on.

Oh well.

6/10

#9 – Predators (2010)

Strong link, or tenuous as all hell? Flimsy.

What’s the link? WeylandYutani is referenced in other Predator films, so it gets a pass even though the company is not in this one.

What’s it all about? A gaggle of tough hombres are abducted and dropped onto a ‘hunting ground’ planet, where Predators track them down and kill them as a rite of passage, or merely for sport. This group is made up of obvious, and less-obvious, killers from all branches; the US military, the IDF, death row, cartels, and dodgy hospitals. Following a bout of expected distrust, they finally figure out that they must work together to survive the onslaught from the dreadlocked aliens.

Fan favourite Robert Rodriguez had big plans to revive the Predator franchise, and he produced this one, with Nimród Antal directing. I certainly enjoyed the direction they took it in, expanding the lore and creating a lean yet action-packed ride. The predators themselves were varied and looked great, but the human cast was the best part of this. Adrien Brody defied early criticism to prove he could play a sinewy hard man, and he is ably supported by the likes of Mahershala Ali, Topher Grace, Walton Goggins, Lawrence Fishburne, Alice Braga, and good old Danny Trejo among others.

They work really well together, bouncing off each other’s dialogue and out-sneering each other while attempting to keep their skulls inside their heads. The film looks great, pelts along lickety-split, and left me wanting more Yautjas on alien planet flicks. Looks like I’m getting my wish with Badlands this year.

7/10

Previous Murky Movie surveys from Neil Baker include:

The Weyland-Yutaniverse, Part I
Foreign Bodies
Mummy Issues
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Monster Mayhem
It’s All Rather Hit-or-Mythos
You Can’t Handle the Tooth
Tubi Dive
What Possessed You?
Fan of the Cave Bear
There, Wolves
What a Croc
Prehistrionics
Jumping the Shark

---

See all of Neil Baker’s Black Gate film reviews here. Neil spends his days watching dodgy movies, most of them terrible, in the hope that you might be inspired to watch them too. He is often asked why he doesn’t watch ‘proper’ films, and he honestly doesn’t have a good answer. He is an author, illustrator, teacher, and sculptor of turtle exhibits. (AprilMoonBooks.com).