Oct 081995
 
three reels

Government Scientists, lead by Xavier Fitch (Ben Kingsley), mix human and alien DNA to create Sil (Michelle Williams), an innocent girl they keep in a clear cage. When she escapes, a team (Michael Madsen, Alfred Molina, Forest Whitaker, Marg Helgenberger) is put together to destroy her. That may be difficult as the suddenly mature Sil (Natasha Henstridge) is lethal and will do anything to mate.

Some movies set their sights low (for instance, the entire Slasher sub-genre), a little entertainment via a few base-level sensations is enough. That’s Species, a fast paced, exciting, gore-fest filled with nudity and humor that succeeds due to its limited goal. This isn’t Shakespeare, people; this is a really cute babe taking off her top and then shoving her alien tentacle-tongue through a guy’s skull.

The film’s opening is extremely effective. Grave Xavier Fitch watches as poison canisters are positioned to murder a crying young girl. He say’s he’s sorry, but does nothing else. Now even if you think all children should be gassed, you’re going to be on her side. And when she escapes, it’s an adrenaline rush. Sil gained my sympathy and kept it till the end. She’s captivating any time she’s onscreen, whether as believable Williams or as the sexy Henstridge. Species could have been a brilliant, thought provoking film if it had dealt more with her feelings, needs, and identity, but the filmmakers knew that such films usually fail, so decided to make a lesser, sure-win picture.

While entertaining, does the story make sense? No. The premise is absurd. A bunch of scientists get the DNA of space aliens and decide to mix it with human’s. Why? What would bring them to do that? They could figure out the genome of an artichoke any time they want, yet no lab is making human-artichoke hybrids (Or are they?  Might there be a vegetable woman waiting to break free even now?). Then, fearing this might be the end of mankind, the government only gathers together the lead scientist on the project, an assassin, two “lesser” scientists, and an empath to stop her. Wouldn’t the survival of the species be worth a bit more effort?  And I did write “empath.”  I’m asked not only to believe in Sil, but also in this all-purpose psychic (who behaves like a sit-com sidekick) who’s there whenever the writer can’t figure how to progress the story. Then there is the ending, which contains many sins, including showing far too much of the monster suit/CGI. The makeup and FX are not up to the challenge of translating bio-mechanical artist H.R. Giger’s design for the alien Sil to the screen. While it’s easy to find faults, Species doesn’t fail where it counts most, and since plot and mystery aren’t the main attractions, this is one that’s easy to watch over and over.

Followed by Species II (1998) and Species III (2004).

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