Species is a prime example of a film with so much potential but just can’t bring it all together. The story is solid enough, about a team of scientists tracking an escaped female alien-human hybrid whose driving force is to procreate with a man. Naturally she kills anyone in her way.
Director: Roger Donaldson
Screenplay: Dennis Feldman
Producer: Frank Mancuso, Jr.
Cinematography: Andrzej Bartkowiak
Editing: Conrad Buff
Music: Christopher Young
Select Cast: Natasha Henstridge, Ben Kingsley, Forest Whitaker, Alfred Molina, Michael Madsen, Marg Helgenberger, Michelle Williams
Runtime: 108 minutes
Country of Origin: USA
US Release: July 7, 1995; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists
The execution of this story, however, is bewildering at times with unmotivated character decisions, manufactured drama, and confusing relationships. No character is as poorly written as Dan (Forest Whitaker) who is recruited for his “empath” abilities; this ability to feel deeply is inexplicably used as a stand in for telepathy. (Never mind this all proves entirely inconsequential by the end). Whitaker is an acclaimed actor, along with his cast mates Alfred Molina and Ben Kingsley. Molina is especially given short shrift with a character who does little to enhance the story. Despite an ensemble of individual stars, there is a surprising lack of chemistry; this dooms the non-alien sequences to tedious exposition.
The monster design by H.R. Giger (Alien) is praise-worthy, as is the brief appearance by a young Michelle Williams. Ultimately, however, Species tries to be a little bit of everything to its detriment. Is it an action romp, L.A. noir, or drive-in creature feature? No one seems to know and this kills an otherwise promising movie.
by Vincent S. Hannam
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