[onday • December 1, 1997
Entertainment
lien Resurrection brings old series back to life
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m.
eview
Alien Resurrection
Starring Sigourney Weaver and Winona Ryder
Directed by Jean-Pierre Jennet
Rated R
Playing at Post Oak Mall
★ ★★★1/2 (out of five)
loning ... DNA cell cultures ... an
alien race pitted against humanity
in an attempt to evolve. These are
the tidbits and secretive insights given to
viewers in the previews and trailers for
1 Alien Resurrection. But behind this
I smokescreen of alien versus human
||j hype, there exists a far better story.
Before this sequel, there was
The Alien Trilogy, a masterpiece
t collection of science fiction
begun in 1979, with sequels
in 1986 and 1992.
Eighteen years after the
inception of Alien, Sigourney
Weaver returns, reprising the
Academy Award nominated role
of Lt. Ellen Ripley, Warrant Officer
First Class. And she is no longer
the Ripley from days of old.
The smartest change in her character is Ripley is no
longer Ripley; she is merely a clone of her former self,
with a few added extras from alien DNA. Now there is a
mystique about Ripley. Is she the same woman who spent
two centuries defending the human race from vicious
aliens, or has she found new and more accepting bonds of
family among chestbursters and facehuggers? That is a
question only Ripley can answer.
She is still the tough, no nonsense sci-fi heroine.
This time, however, she is not only tough and no
nonsense, but sarcastic and funny throughout the
film. Her character has become, oddly, more hu
man in being an alien-clone mixture. This new
Ripley and film formula is due in large part to
the film’s director.
First there was Ridley Scott, a director of
classics such as Thelma and Louise, who
brought the timid but willful Ripley to the sil
ver screen. Then James Cameron came along
and turned Ripley into an action figure and a
role model by displaying her commanding fe
male presence.
And at the end of the trilogy, David Fincher,
in his first widescreen production before the
success of Seven, presented the film’s followers
with a weakened and scared Ripley, awaiting
her eventual demise by an implanted alien.
This time around, the eclectically dark and
picturesque Jean-Pierre Jeunet, director of the
visually stunning The City of Lost Children, takes
everything from Ripley’s past lives and molds
them into her scientifically generated body.
She is strong, innocent, crafty and suscepti
ble to 360-degree changes in her beliefs and faith toward
both humans and aliens.
This is the search in the fourth installment of the Alien
series — finding self-purpose and defining the true
meaning of the human condition, no matter how alien it
may seem on the surface.
Thought-provoking and classic science fiction are the
only two ways to convey the message Alien Resurrec
tion delivers.
It represents a tribute to great works of sci
ence fiction. The character of Ellen Ripley and
the perseverance of an actress such as
Sigourney Weaver portrays someone of so
many inner battles with the simple pur
pose of keeping the world interesting.
Hopes are high now that Ripley has
returned, and expectations surely
are raised. But with a strong trilogy
backing their experiences, the
meek warrant officer, the super
charged action hero, the terrified
vagabond traveler and the new
genetic secret operative have
only the future to discover
possibly a fifth edition to
their ranks. And the next
time, it can be assured
I another Ah'en sequel
I only would add more
depth to a film’s history
spanning the galaxy.
— By James Francis
Williams’ Flubber fails to recapture magic and charm of original
Flubber
Starring Robin Williams
Directed by Les Mayfield
Rated PG
Playing at Hollywood 16
★★ 1/2 (out of five)
The marketing gurus at Disney have done it
again. They have hyped a movie to the point
where anything less than a religious experi-
ce is a disappointment.
Too bad Robin Williams’ new flick Flubber
ild have been a disappointment with or with-
the marketing juggernaut that consisted of an
Hess supply of mouse pads, pens, post cards
dsome strange-smelling goo that left glitter on
hands.
Flubber is a remake of the 1961 film The Absent-
nded Professor. The original was funny with a
campy ’60s feel that makes it fun even for modern
audiences. The updated version, however, ditches
the campiness for computer graphics and replaces
the stoic likeability of Fred McMurray with the un
bridled insanity of Robin Williams. Neither modifi
cation works too well for Flubber.
For those without the Disney Channel to con
stantly remind viewers of the impending
release of Flubber, the
movie follows the
amnesiatic
Professor ''Tt:;'
Phillip
make, but people will not care, because the kids
will laugh and millions of dollars will be made.
To key people in on how cliched Flubber really
is, just look at the screenplay credit. It comes
from the one, the only, John
m *
.
-^1
Brainard,
played by
Williams.
Brainard in
vents Flubber,
a gooey sub
stance that de
fies all the laws of
physics. But hey, it
looks like the Pills-
bury Doughboy, so I
will forget this scientific snafu.
Flubber is a mindless offering to people
in Congress screaming for “family movies.” Very
little original thought has been put into this re-
of Hughes with his tiny sense of self-worth intact.
Robin Williams’ talent is wasted as Professor
Brainard. Perhaps it is just marriage of an actor
with a role, but it is almost painful to watch
Williams cage himself in this truly humorless role.
The redeeming addition to the movie is WEEBO,
the robotic maid of Brainard’s household. WEE
BO resembles a Sony Walkman rewired to fly
around the house and fawn over
jgll^^ Brainard. Yes, WEEBO is in robotic
love with the professor. How
ever, even WEEBO turns
Hughes.
That name invokes painful
flashbacks of Home Alone, Home Alone 2 and
Baby's Day Out— all three horrific adventures
into comedy by a man who once directed The
Breakfast Club.
One can only hope Alex Linz, the star of the up
coming Home Alone 3, can escape from the clutches
into an advertise
ment for Disney.
Ever couple of
minutes, the camera
turns to WEEBO’s little
television screen to see
clips of old Donald Duck car-
f toons, among other things.
While this reactionary device is cute, I
think the television series “Dream On” did
it better.
Regardless of all its bad spots, Flubber can be fun
for kids who get a kick out of banana peel slips and
bowling balls hitting people in the head.
Otherwise, Flubber, both the movie and the goo,
have the zingy appeal of hair gel and little else.
— By Aaron Meier
ug Walker’s
Maroon & White Report
College Station, Texas 77842-0642
fi: 409-696-5911 • Fax: 409-696-7785 • Email: info@agspoi1s.com
The perfect Christmas Gift
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Subscription packages via mail, fax, or email from $30
CALL 409-696-5911 TO ORDER TODAY!
BEATTHE HELLOUTTA FINALS
WITH THE A66IE STUDY BREAK!
WHO: EVERYONE
WHEN: DEC. 1Q, 4-6PM
WHERE: 342 MSC
.oriea,
4*
'if* SPONSORED BY: AGGIE -if
ORIENTATION LEADER PROGRAM
ALSO, GLASS SHIRTS 099, 'OO, '01) WILL BE ON
SALE MONDAY-THURSDAY IN THE MSG!
Hieater Arts Program
Two plays by
Samuel Beckett
Footfalls and Catastrophe
December 3-6
Fallout Theater. 144 Blocker
8 pm
I tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the MSC Box Office, 845-1234
or at the door.
wAYw.tamu.edu/theater/
e-mail: theateiV/tamu.edu
Theater Arts Program office: 845-2621
LEARN TO
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We’re now located at College Station Easterwood Airport.
Learn to fly the Cessna Pilot Center Exclusive Integrated
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the experienced flight school.
■ Private thru advanced training
■ Aircraft rental, Pilot Shop
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United Flight Systems, Inc.
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College Station, TX
409 260-6322
December
C\ irs t f
12™ MAN
FOUNDATIO
1 rjfo
Congratulations
from the 12th Man
Be
A
'I *!
ill
of it
-
.
s a recent graduate of one of the finest
academic institutions in the world, the 12th
Man Foundation wants to be among the
first to recognize your significant achievement.
In honor of your dedication to the tradition of the
Aggie spirit, we are offering you a complimentary
first year membership in the 12th Man Foundation so
you can enjoy the action of the Big 12 Conference.
This special package includes all of the benefits of
being a Foundation donor including:
• Priority seating S. parking at Aggie
home football games
• Donor card
• I2th Man Magazine ■ the new full
■ color sports magazine
• Decal and lapel pin
:i: All gifts to the 12th Man Foundation help fund the
education of A&M student-athletes. Your participation
i in the Foundation will continue the tradition of
athletic and academic excellence at Texas A&M.
| Stop by our table in the MSC on December 2, 3.
I or 4 between 10 a m. and 2 p.m. and sign up. Or.
■ visit our office between 8 a m. and 5 p.m. in room
109 of the Koldus Building.
MSC Barber Shop
Serving All Aggies!
Cuts and Styles
All Corp Cuts $7.
Regular cuts start at $8.
Curtis Steele has moved from
Northgate Barbershop
to the MSC Barbershop. Come see him!
846-0629
Open: Mon. - Fri. 8-5
Located in the basement of the Memorial Student Center
Sff From Tf/f /A/stoe W/th
Tue Work /m Br/tam Program
• L/ve aa/d Work w Br/ta/p por up to 6 months
• 0pm TO fUU-T/MP STUDENTS / GRADUAT/NG SENfORS
• London and Bd/nburgh Resource Centers / Socm Buents
• fNTERNAT/ONAUZE YOUR RESUME'
"A Great Opportun/ty To Trauel, See A/ew Places.
//AYE fUN AND MAKE A/EW fRLENDS. ~
Call f-800-GO~BUA/AC Bor Detalls
AND APPL/CAT/ON /NED
M
BRITAIN
BUA/AC. PO Bok 49
South Br/ta/n. CT 06487
WWW.eUNAC.ORG
J$ijnac
/-800-GO-BUA/AC
|TH I
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
12TH MAN FOUNDATION
P.0. DRAWER L-1 • COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77844-9101
TELEPHONE (409) 846-8892 • FAX (409) 846-2445
www-12thman.tamu.edu
Name
Graduation Date:
Address
City
MAY
AUGUST
DECEMBER Year
State
Phone (Home) (
.(Work) (
□ Complimentary First Year
□ 2nd Year after Graduation at half price - s 50.00
□ 3rd Year after Graduation at half price - *50.00
□ 1st, 2nd, 3rd year after Graduation - ‘100.00
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