Alien Marathon III: Alien 3 (1992)

• Given the relatively upbeat ending of the second film, a mighty depressing opening, especially after having waited six years for the next installment.
• Ripley keeps waking up into nightmares rather than out of them.
• Her families keep getting killed — the Nostromo crew, the instant nuclear family survivors of Hicks and Newt, and finally the medical officer.
• Crashes on a double-y chromosome prison planet — bleak, barren, the only life prisoners, cattle, or parasites. Very male.
• Male company in first movie. Male military in second. Male prison/monastery in third.
• Has to shave her head and wear same garb as men, losing femininity. Ripley, despite this, maintains her power. “You don’t want to know me, lady. I’m a murderer and rapist of women.” “Really? Well I guess I must make you nervous.” Her direct engagement in this scene encapsulates her character in this movie. Not that she isn’t scared of these men — she is, for good reason — but she hits the nail on the head by shining a light on Dillon’s reality.
• The whole warrior-mother role has been turned inside out.
• Lots of rape, attempted rape, symbolic rape (aliens), and other forms of violation. All in an apocalyptic world.
• Drinking birds/perpetual motion on superintendent’s desk, like in first movie.
• “Don’t be afraid. I’m part of the family.” She’s accepted her role as host, but she’s using it to her advantage. Or at least trying to.
• In the Special Edition, they took out the Ripley chest-bursting moment as she falls into the furnace. This was meant to be the absolute end…but then, another sequel.
• That this movie is from the director of Se7en, Fight Club, Panic Room, and Zodiac should not be surprising.

Next up and finally, the only one of these movies I’ve only seen once — co-starring everyone’s favorite shoplifter with a heart of gold. And swimming aliens.

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