‘Our time is up’
Species is a 1995 American science fiction horror feature film directed by Roger Donaldson from a screenplay written by Dennis Feldman (Virus, 1999) plus several other uncredited writers.
The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures production stars Natasha Henstridge, Michael Madsen, Ben Kingsley and Alfred Molina.
Plot:
When government scientist Xavier Fitch (Ben Kingsley) intercepts a space transmission containing the genetic sequence for an alien life form, he uses it to produce “Sil” (Natasha Henstridge) — a gorgeous alien-human hybrid.
Whilst Fitch’s team grows concerned at Sil’s rapid rate of growth, she wrecks the laboratory and begins a violent quest for a suitable male human to impregnate her. The U.S. government dispatches top assassin Preston Lennox (Michael Madsen) and a team of experts to stop her…
Reviews:
” …it throws so much at the viewer that some of it is bound to stick, and stick much of it does, making this a rather enjoyable, if not primarily brain-dead, way to spend a couple of hours…” Blu-ray.com
“The entirety of the film is merely a game of cat and mouse and a horribly tedious one as the cast of seasoned character performers all stumble around barely delivering complex characters, while conflict among them is slim to nil. Species follows Sil for a long time indulging in pointless nude scenes and adding little to her character…” Cinema Crazed
“Species is a pleasant time-killer, but no more. It has less verve, sparkle, or creativity than many low-budget horror/sci-fi efforts. Its alien, its heroes, its effects, its gore, its obligatory car chase, it’s all okay, but largely forgettable.” Communist Vampires
” …essentially one long chase sequence with a couple of nude scenes and maulings added to liven up the proceedings. No matter what genre you identify Species as, it’s not top of the line, but there’s also quite a bit of room beneath it.” Reel Views
“I can imagine a film in which a creature like Sil struggles with her dual nature, and tries to find self-knowledge. Like Frankenstein’s monster, she would be an object of pity. But that would be way too subtle for Species, which just adds a slick front end to the basic horror vocabulary of things jumping out from behind stuff.” Roger Ebert
YouTube reviews:
Cast and characters:
Ben Kingsley … Xavier Fitch
Michael Madsen … Preston Lennox
Alfred Molina … Doctor Stephen Arden
Forest Whitaker … Dan Smithson
Marg Helgenberger … Doctor 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
Technical details:
108 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.35: 1
Audio: DTS | Dolby SR
Box office:
Species took $113,374,103 theatrically worldwide on a reported budget of $35 million.
MOVIES and MANIA rating:
