Species (1995)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Roger Donaldson

Writer (WGA):

Dennis Feldman (written by)

Release Date:

7 July 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

If you build it, they will come.

Plot:

A message from outer space contains instructions on how to modify human DNA.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Scientist | Killing | Human Alien | Seti

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Ben Kingsley	...	Xavier Fitch
Michael Madsen	...	Preston Lennox
Alfred Molina	...	Dr. Stephen Arden
Forest Whitaker	...	Dan Smithson, Empath
Marg Helgenberger	...	Dr. Laura Baker
Natasha Henstridge	...	Sil
Michelle Williams	...	Young Sil
Jordan Lund	...	Aide
Don Fischer	...	Aide
Scott McKenna	...	Train Hobo
Virginia Morris	...	Mother
Jayne Luke	...	Snack Shop Clerk
David K. Schroeder	...	German Tourist
David Jensen	...	Conductor
Esther Scott	...	Female Conductor

MPAA:

Rated R for sci-fi violence, strong sexuality and some language.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Portuguese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Canada:18A (Alberta) (1999) | Iceland:16 | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:14 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 (w) | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, Puerto Rico

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

An early draft of the script had the young Sil calmly killing a friendly cab driver. In an effort to keep the audiences sympathy for her character (and to make the murder of the porter more shocking) the scene was changed to Sil killing a tramp in self defense after he attempts to attack her.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When the scientists try to kill young Sil they flood her cell with what is supposed to be cyanide gas. That gas looks like white steam, whereas Cyanide gas is invisible.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Xavier Fitch: I'm sorry.
Young Sil: [mouthing] I'm sorry.

Movie Connections:

References Free Willy (1993)

Soundtrack:

If You Don't Know Me By Now

Interesting idea, weak story

Watched this movie on video, and I found it entertaining. 5 years after its release, the genetic engineering is even more scary as humanity has now (year 2000) discovered properties of the DNA that makes the movie more believable in the beginning. The monster's resemblance to the monsters in the "Alien" movies is striking, although more human in design (Giger).

The storyline is weak, but it still is an entertaining movie. I don't think this movie appeals to the viewers intellect. It is a cross-breed (as is the monster in the movie) and draws on elements from Sci-Fi, splatter-movies, thrillers and soft porn movies.

The special effects are not as impressive anymore, and is where the movie shows its age. Although the end is almost a pure "Alien" rip-off, it fails to provide the suspence of the "Alien" movie. The cliffhanger-rat at the end is a little funny, but contributes to the impression of a weak script with intellectually cheap solutions.

All in all an entertaining, almost-no-brainer movie based on a very interesting idea.