Species - Collector's Edition [Blu-ray]

While not a genre classic, this sci-fi thriller did well at the box office, and spawned 3 (little-known) sequels plus an action figure set!Largely a "killer-alien-on-the-loose" flick, it centers on the manhunt for an alien creature named Sil (Natasha Henstridge), who escapes a government lab and begins a killing spree in her quest to reproduce.I didn't think much of this when it came out in theaters. But after seeing it again, it has quite a bit going for it, including:1) A very young Michelle Williams is incredible as the young Sil.2) It has a great cast, including Ben Kingsley, Michael Madsen, Forest Whitaker, Marg Helgenberger, Alfred Molina, and Whip Hubley. Their characters all have different priorities, which makes for some interesting group dynamics.3) The special effects - while borrowing much from "Alien" - have just enough flamboyant shock value without being too gruesome.4) The action is well-directed and paced. The final showdown with the monster (last 20 minutes or so) are particularly effective and suspenseful.The not-so-good:1) It's mostly action and suspense, while the story itself is flimsy and not too developed. There were better "killer alien on the loose" movies in the 80's and 90's, that not only had great stories, but also entertaining buddy-cop action, like "The Hidden" and "I Come In Peace."2) We never really find out where this creature is from or why she is here (those answers come in "Species II"). There are also the usual cheap scares which diminish the film's credibility somewhat.3) Relies too much on unnecessary nudity and topless scenes. Natasha Henstridge doesn't really get to do much except take off her clothes, walk around L.A. trying to blend in, and kill men in gruesome ways after seducing them.Overall, there is enough here to be of interest to fans of sci-fi thrillers, as long as you are not expecting anything cerebral or all that memorable. This was Natasha Henstridge's first movie, and she went on to prove her acting talents in other movies and T.V., especially the great-but-short series "Eli Stone."

Stars: Sir Ben Kingsley (Gandhi), Forrest Whittaker (Bird, Nelson Mandela, Color of Money), Alfred Molina (Frida, Chocolat w/Dame Judi Dench), Michael Madsen (Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs, Hateful 8) and the redoubtable Natasha Henstridge (Species 2, Maximum Risk w/ Jean-Claude Van Damme) in her steamiest role yet.Foxy blonde from outer space lures haplessly horny, unsuspecting (who would? Suspect, that is.) men into beds, backseats and Jacuzzis for cheap thrills...or is it? Can it be something more sinister? The proverbial Unspeakable Evil?The Prez and every branch of the military - some rogue super-secret CIA type bunch band together to save nothing less than all of human-kind.Directed by Roger Donaldson (Smash Palace, The Bounty w/ Sir Anthony Hopkins.)Bonus: this movie is not without a sense of humor, however unintentional. Also, the back of the case offers the following exhortation "read the Banton Book." Yeah, sure!ASIN# B000F9RB9E - which includes two commentaries: one with Director Roger Donaldson and cast and another with director, producer, and visual effects team (including H.R. Giger). Finally, two featurettes with the genius most famous for Ridley Scott's Alien, H.R. Giger - one curious cat.

I recall enjoying Species in 1995 and must say it has held up very well after watching it again 23 years later. The film is anchored in now familiar ideas in a solidly creative story that was first conceived by Denis Feldman in 1987. Reworking his original idea into a spec-script years later, the film would be produced with input from artist Hans Giger who deservedly won an academy award for his work on Alien and did splendid work on conceiving the alien in this film. There is a logical sequence to the film. Time is not wasted during scenes. Capable actors put a reasonable script to good use and decades later it is fun to see them from a time when they were so much younger. The SETI Institute receives a transmission from a source in outer space which contains a DNA sequence that is combined with human DNA resulting in a human/alien hybrid. A decision is made to destroy the hybrid, but the hybrid, a young girl named Sil escapes during the attempt. Her high rate of growth only adds to the urgency to stop her before she succeeds in whatever she is meant to carry out. Driven instinctively to procreate, she embarks on several attempts to mate while a team composed of experts in various fields and an empath seek to locate and annihilate her. We find along the way that she doesn't know who she is and why she is 'here'. She learns as she goes along, like a child, except she is on a fast track. Sil is very much helped by the fact that she is portrayed by the talented Natasha Henstridge who was during this, her screen debut, an excellent selection for the role. Sil is an aesthetic warrior who is also sensual and deadly at the same time. Where the film is disappointing and anti-climactic is in the ending where there is an attempt to quickly wrap up the story in a shootout, like a Western. From this reviewer's perspective much more could be explored either in the ending or in sequels to the same film which would ideally star the same actors, that could have shed more light on Sil's purpose, her discovery of her purpose, and the coming to terms by humanity with a beautiful, mysterious, and deadly human/alien hybrid. Perhaps we could have found out more about who transmitted the DNA sequence that resulted in her and what their purpose was. Species leaves more questions than it answers and sequels to the film did not do justice to the initial concept. Perhaps this is a good time to remake the film and bring Natasha back as Sil.

Absolutely classic movie! Watched this at the cinema a few times and loved the cheese every time! It quickly gets the story going after a young girl escapes from a lab. We soon find out that she is not all she seems when she transforms into a woman over night! A crack team of scientists and a special forces tracker is assembled to find the girl. Michael Madsen stands out as the cool Preston Lennox (bad ass name!), the non scientist. Natasha Henstrige Plays Sil, the alien, in a very seductive way! She is the definition of a sexual predator! My favourite character was Stephen Arden played by Alfred Molina. Only because he seemed so out of place!

Good movie. Had a few sequels, but this was the best one of the bunch really by quite some distance. Second one was interesting, then the series trailed off dramatically. Pleased to have the first one on Blu Ray as a Sci Fi fan and at a budget price was well worth snapping up.

One of my favourite sci fi films with alien designs by hr giger(rip) and the gorgeous natasha henstridge as sil.Great acting by forest whitaker,michael madsen and ben kingsley,it has a good story with some scary/horror scenes,if you liked the fly,the fly 2 and the alien series you should enjoy this film.

Liked it

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