Red River Scrapbook
The Critical Couch Potato Reviews the DVD "Species III"
By J Osborne
Dec 15, 2004
Species III, recently released on DVD (Dec. 7) is a lean, mean B-movie thriller. While its a definite step down in terms of plot and performance quality, Species III has glimpses of atmosphere and suspense in addition to the blood and skin shows, and makes good use of the unsettlingly sensuous creature design, which should please franchise fans, gore hounds, and omnivorous sci-fi viewers.
If you have the first two species releases, then you do need part 3 to complete your set. Just sit back, grab some pizza for all that cheese, and enjoy.
All in all, this wasn't too bad. I was entertained by it. The 'Species' series are kind of a guilty pleasure. None of them are that good by any means, but they're fun to watch. If you liked the previous two films, check this one out. The effects are decent, with some great gore moments, and the creatures, while cheesy as can be, fit in with the film very well. The action is a little hokey, but over all, it works.
I have a feeling that if this release does satisfactorily here will probably be a Species 4.
While this release is filled with plot holes -- like a how does a college professor manage to not only pose as a military paramedic, but get assigned to carry something as valuable as the carcass of a dead alien, or how did the chubby fat kid alien get in the back of the Army truck? Or how did the professor know the dead alien was going to give birth?
Being a Species flick, it's not long before the child transforms into an often topless woman (played by Sunny Mabrey) with designs on world domination after assuring the continuation of the species.
While the previous two Species movies were more sci-fi/action flicks, Species 3 goes more in the sci-fi/horror direction which I really think worked well. It has its share -- and more-- of gore and special effects. It is a DTV but horror fans won't be disappointed. The ending though kind of limp. ends the saga in a pretty hoist-by-their-own-petard way that leaves an opening for number four.
Overall, Species III is an average follow-up to the Species Saga. It does have a fair amount of gore and good acting by a young cast.
I suggest you check it out, it's not brilliant but lets face it, there's just so many rubbish horror movies getting released these days that horror fans have to settle for whatever decent movies are available and this is one of them. Check it out.
Cast: Robin Dunne, Amelia Cooke, Robert Keooer, J.P. Pitoc, Michael Warren, Christopher Neame, Natasha Henstridge, and Sunny Mabrey
Species III
Rating (** out of *****)
Synopsis: (Courtesy of MGM Home Entertainment) More terrifying...more riveting...and hotter than ever. Mankind's number is up in this thrilling third installment of the Species franchise! Featuring eye-popping special effects, knuckle-whitening suspense and the dazzling performance of sexy newcomer Sunny Mabrey, Species III is the most jarring, action-packed chapter in the sci-fi series yet!
In the ongoing fight for supremacy between mankind and human/alien hybrids, a fatal hybrid weakness has given humans the advantage. Until now. When Sara (Mabrey), the daughter of Eve (Natasha Henstridge) is born, she grows into the most genetically perfect alien form yet!
Seeking to repopulate her kind, this dangerously beautiful femme fatale heeds an overwhelming drive to mate...while a crack military team trails her in an attempt to end the war between our two species forever.
Unrated version reviewed
Run Time: 112
DVD extras
Available subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Commentary by director Brad Turner, writer Ben Ripley, and Robin Dunne
Alien Odyssey: Evolution featurette
Alien Odyssey: Species DNA featurette
Alien Odyssey: Alien Technology featurette
Alien Odyssey: Alien Lifeforms featurette
Behind-the-scenes photo gallery
