Species (1995)
5.967 /10
1571 Reviews
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In 1993, the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence Project receives a transmission detailing an alien DNA structure, along with instructions on how to splice it with human DNA. The result is Sil, a sensual but deadly creature who can change from a beautiful woman to an armour-plated killing machine in the blink of an eye.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Sil
... Xavier Fitch
... Preston Lennox
... Dr. Laura Baker
... Dr. Stephen Arden
User reviews
Good watch, would watch again, and can recommend.
This was a hit movie at the time, and other than the Xenos design, I'd say it is still a pretty good movie. The "anti-Jaws" approach of showing the monster off is really cool as the premise is largely how detailed and dangerous the xenos is, but the approach removes a lot of the suspense in the hunting and subterfuge, almost humanizing her as "hunted by the evil government entity".
While it would be a much different, and arguably better, movie to do something more like "The Thing", that she only has one human mask sorts of outs her, making it more like a spy movie, and I think they did really well with that in mind.
It just lacks the level of nuance and hidden information that spy and thriller movies tend to have.
It's much closer to "Aliens" than "Alien".
Director:
Genres:
Release Date:
1995-07-07
Run Time:
108 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
Species
Good watch, would watch again, and can recommend.
This was a hit movie at the time, and other than the Xenos design, I'd say it is still a pretty good movie. The "anti-Jaws" approach of showing the monster off is really cool as the premise is largely how detailed and dangerous the xenos is, but the approach removes a lot of the suspense in the hunting and subterfuge, almost humanizing her as "hunted by the evil government entity".
While it would be a much different, and arguably better, movie to do something more like "The Thing", that she only has one human mask sorts of outs her, making it more like a spy movie, and I think they did really well with that in mind.
It just lacks the level of nuance and hidden information that spy and thriller movies tend to have.
It's much closer to "Aliens" than "Alien".
_**Wiping out the "galactic weed**_"
Released in 1995, "Species" chronicles events after SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) receives a transmission from outer space detailing alien DNA structure, along with instructions on how to splice it with human DNA. This gives birth to Sil, a girl (Michele Williams) who escapes and rapidly grows into a statuesque blonde (Natasha Henstridge). Government agent Xavier Fitch (Ben Kingsley) assembles a team to locate and destroy Sil before she finds a mate and breeds. The team includes a tough mercenary (Michael Madsen), an anthropologist (Alfred Molina), a molecular biologist (Marg Helgenberger) and an empath (Forest Whitaker).
I developed a bad attitude toward "Species" for years due to Roger Ebert's scathing review, but changed my mind upon giving it an openminded viewing. This is a top-of-the-line sci-fi/adventure/horror flick. People look down on it because of the nudity and mild sex scenes, which prompts them to disdain it as exploitive and trashy. While Natasha Henstridge is a good-lookin' woman, she doesn't do anything for me (she's not my type) so I was able to totally overlook this element and focus on the film's other attributes.
For one, the score by Christopher Young is excellent. Secondly, the A-list cast is a highlight and their characters are increasingly fleshed-out in the story. Lastly, while people understandably write-off the movie as a Grade B plot with Grade A production, there's more here than meets the eye. For instance, Sil is the innocent pawn of the extraterrestrials who sent the DNA. Another example is the excellent character of Dan (Whitaker) whom whiners complain about as "always pointing out the obvious" when the movie shows over and over that he DOES know things the others don't and they ignore him to their own peril. Dan is necessary so that the team knows what direction the creature takes on repeated occasions; without Dan we'd see them pursue one boring dead-end after another.
While snobby film critics love to hate "Species" it's a thoroughly entertaining sci-fi adventure with an interesting moral and a great cast of characters. If you like films like "Alien," "Aliens," "Terminator," "Terminator 2" and "Predator" you'll probably appreciate it. It may not be as good as "Aliens," "Terminator" and "Terminator 2," but it's on par with "Alien" (and marginally better IMHO) and superior to "Predator." Then again, it depends on what you want in a sci-fi blockbuster. As far as I'm concerned, "Species" delivers the goods.
The film runs 108 minutes and was shot in the areas of Los Angeles and Brigham City, Utah.
GRADE: A-
***SPOILER ALERT*** (Don't read further unless you've seen the movie)
The theory is postulated by the mercenary and biologist that the alien DNA was sent as a biological weapon, a "weed killer" from outer space to wipe out the galactic weed of earth or, more accurately, the human race that inhabits it. It's a fascinating concept and the film compellingly realizes it.
Clearly, these scientists had not heeded Jeff Goldblum in "Jurassic Park" (1993) when he warned about stopping to think that just because we can do something, it doesn't mean that we should. If they had, then perhaps we could have avoided the mayhem and brutality caused when they create "Sil" (Natasha Henstridge). She is the product of alien and human DNA and can morph between a beautiful woman and a savage killer in the blink of an eye. Of course she escapes from the high security facility that couldn't keep a cow out, and is soon on the search for a man. Not any particular man, just one who can help her make a baby - and believe me, that's not a good plan! The scientists - led by "Lennox" (a rather charmless Michael Madson) and "Baker" (Marg Helgenberger) are on her trail but can they stop her before she finds a willing partner? To be fair, the visual effects - very "Terminator" (1984) style - are actually quite effective but the acting, especially from the always hammy Ben Kingsley, and the scripting are very bottom drawer. There's some imagination with the look of the film, but the delivery is pedestrian across the board before an ending that has an inevitability to it that I found a bit predictable. Not terrible, but a real missed opportunity that had it been cast better and just spent a little more time on the a more substantial story, could have created a better sense of menace and even a little (dark) humour.
Cast & Crew of
Species
Cast
... Sil
... Xavier Fitch
... Preston Lennox
... Dr. Laura Baker
... Dr. Stephen Arden
... Dan Smithson, Empath
... Young Sil
... Aide
... Mrs. Morris
... Colleague
... Aide
... Train Hobo
... Mother
... Snack Shop Clerk
... German Tourist
... Conductor
... Female Conductor
... Victoria Roth, Ph.D.
... Government Man
... Fitch's Secretary
... Wedding Dress Saleswoman
... Team Driver
... Cop
... Motel Clerk
... Lab Worker
... Club Bouncer
... Drunken Girl
... Guy in Club
... Robbie, Guy Picking Up Sil
... Screaming Woman
... John Carey
... Hospital Admittance Clerk
... Hospital Doctor
... Hospital Nurse
... Abducted Woman
... Homeless Man
... Commercial Model
... Bathroom Bimbo
... Waiter
... Marie
... Baby Boy
... Creature Performer
... Alien Sil (voice)
... Bystander (uncredited)
... Club DJ (uncredited)
... Special Forces (uncredited)
... Commando (uncredited)
... Lt. Steele (uncredited)
... Doctor (uncredited)
... Soldier (uncredited)
... Club Doorman (uncredited)
... Conga Player (uncredited)
... Special Forces (uncredited)
Crew
... Producer
... Author
... Director of Photography
... Producer
... Executive Producer
... Editor
... Director
... Original Music Composer
... Art Direction
... Costume Supervisor
... Set Decoration
... Costume Design
... Makeup Department Head
... Casting
... Production Design
... Casting
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Lighting Technician
... Color Timer
... Stunts
... Hair Department Head
... Stunts
... Orchestrator
... Unit Production Manager
... Assistant Editor
... Orchestrator
... Special Effects Coordinator
... Stunts
... Music Supervisor
... Visual Effects
... Stunts
... Associate Producer
... Sound Effects Editor
... Casting Associate
... Stunts
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Painter
... Property Master
... Location Manager
... Digital Compositors
... Additional Camera
... Set Dressing Artist
... First Assistant Editor
... Greensman
... First Assistant Camera
... Craft Service
... Unit Publicist
... Video Assist Operator
... Music Editor
... Construction Coordinator
... Location Scout
... Set Designer
... Additional Photography
... Still Photographer
... Digital Effects Supervisor
... Visual Effects Editor
... Dialogue Editor
... Studio Teachers
... Boom Operator
... Choreographer
... Assistant Art Director
... Key Grip
... Script Supervisor
... Stunt Coordinator
... Production Coordinator
... Leadman
... Key Makeup Artist
... Set Medic
... Electrician
... Administration
... Art Department Coordinator
... Sculptor
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Standby Painter
... Camera Operator
... Sound Recordist
... Systems Administrators & Support
... Carpenter
... Transportation Captain
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Set Dressing Supervisor
... Storyboard
... Aerial Coordinator
... Steadicam Operator
... Software Engineer
... Translator
... Art Department Assistant
... Transportation Coordinator
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Construction Foreman
... Camera Department Manager
... Key Hair Stylist
... Propmaker
... Stand In
... First Assistant Director
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Scoring Mixer
... First Assistant Camera
... First Assistant Camera
... Title Designer
... Assistant Makeup Artist
... Technical Advisor
... Foley Recordist
... Camera Loader
... Second Assistant Director
... Set Painter
... Second Company Grip
... Dolly Grip
... Assistant Camera
... Assistant Editor
... Assistant Production Coordinator
... Assistant Property Master
... Location Coordinator
... Supervising Music Editor
... Pyrotechnician
... Animation Director
... Negative Cutter
... Chief Lighting Technician
... Executive Assistant
... Production Assistant
... Matte Painter
... Second Second Assistant Director
... ADR Recordist
... Assistant Accountant
... Production Consultant
... Foley Artist
... Assistant Chief Lighting Technician
... Costumer
... Stunt Double
... Project Manager
... Storyboard Artist
... ADR Mixer
... Foley Mixer
... Assistant Location Manager
... Key Set Production Assistant
... Art Department Production Assistant
... Visual Effects
... Scoring Mixer
... Musician
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Conceptual Design
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