Is Alien: Resurrection Bad or Just Weird? - Talking About Tapes

We finally made it to Alien: Resurrection! A movie nobody wanted to make. In this episode Tony, Johanna, and Prison Mike will breakdown this divisive film and decide if it's actually bad or just weird and wacky!
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Joe - / joelascola
Johanna - / stufflikehearts
Crystal - / crystalquin
Kieran - / kieeeeern
Trisha - / trishasitaly
Frank - / frank_volpe_
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[@Shoup1155]

The worst thing about prison was the... was the Dementors. They were flying all over the place and they were scary and then they'd come down and they'd suck the soul out of your body and it hurt! -Prison Mike

[@kdusel1991]

I am here to scare you straight. I AM HERE TO SCARE YOU STRAIGHT!!!! - also prison mike

[@christophermelrose8935]

The problem with Prometheus was that FOX wanted the Alien connection and Ridley Scott wanted to tell a story about the Space Jockey and it was going to be a 2 part story which would introduce the connection to Alien. That is why Alien Covenant turned out to be an Alien story but it looked like Ridley Scott deliberately caused the film to tank as FOX kept interfering with his direction.

[@jacksonwayneputnam1599]

The inclusion of the Xenomorph in Covenant feels so cynical. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ridley directed the 3rd act entirely out of spite.

[@rikardandersson5582]

I had zero problem with focus on the space jockey and wouldnt care if an xenomorph never showed up, what I had a problem with is makeing it a prequel, making the space jockey just giant albino humans in suits instead of biomechanoids and later making David the creatot of the traditional xenomorphs we see in Alien and Aliens (like something a 12 year old wrote)

[@RichterPhallos]

I went to the theater to see Mortal Kombat Annihilation. It sucked so much ass I left and snuck into Alien Resurrection. I'm happy with that decision to this day

[@robk.6591]

Seeing the newborn alien getting sucked into space was so disturbing. It looks at Ripley like, "Mom, please help me!!!". Not to mention it's human-alien screaming.

[@philoebeddo8724]

Oh,was that how I was supposed to feel? I laughed.Most of the film I sighed.

[@robk.6591]

@@philoebeddo8724 awesome for you

[@philoebeddo8724]

@@robk.6591 👍🏻

[@Gurra88]

Edgy and original comment. I laughed more at 9/11 myself. 😮

[@ButteredToast32]

That scene stuck with me for weeks. It was an unnecessarily graphic and cruel death. They could’ve gone about that in so many less disturbing ways.

[@kdusel1991]

So happy to see Joe and Johanna back in the store!

[@ryanpowell2540]

I've never been the biggest fan of this movie, but I have to give it style points for being so dang weird. It was cool seeing Prison Mike again.

[@blurtednonsense5631]

Huh, again? Clearly, the clone of Prison Mike is his first appearance 🙄. You must know Prison Mike personally.

[@dylanpailing4314]

I love how confused the caller was and I absolutely love that he was playing along

[@wstine79]

I remember watching this in the cinema in high school. I love the green grimy look, the dark humor, Ron Perlman, and the alien chase under water.

[@kdusel1991]

I only know about this movie from the nostalgia critic's review of it from way back lol

[@jaybrooks1220]

The phone calls get me every time.

[@xenos_n.]

I remember when this came out thinking how particularly good the CGI looked compared to other movies, specifically with the aliens swimming.

[@gotflute123]

Love the vibe from your video! Has that "late night cable access show" feel to it. Keep it up :)

[@glowinthefart]

I think the movie is rad, Ron Perlman and that dude from the Crow are rad

[@DissectThatFilm]

After a recent watch, I actually enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. You forgot to mention the really awesome foot massage scene though.🤣 Also, when the newborn is dying, the subtitles literally say that it's saying, "OH NOOO, HELP ME! NOOOOO!" It makes that scene so much darker than it already was. Another great episode!

[@StanWilks]

SO glad you're giving this movie its time in the sun. Very underrated!

[@crippledbazooka]

it's bad and weird. it's also fine and fun.

[@georgehenderson7783]

The ending definitely wasn't fun

[@lolife74]

💯

[@cliveroberts8760]

Algorithm

[@Sash_tha_pash]

Like Johanna,fine and fun!...

[@JoyfulGoat]

Did he have the prison suit or did it clone with him? Yes.

[@Mako2401]

Watched it in the cinema, even when I was a kid I knew this wasn't on the level of the other three movies, but still had lots of fun and came out pleased with the movie over all.

[@alejandromolinac]

Always liked this flick…. Had no idea it had a “bad rep” once I hopped the Internet and 1998….

[@mikerude5073]

Alien = haunted house, Aliens = Rollercoaster, Alien3 = funeral, Alien Resurrection = Fever dream.

[@tylerwwernicke4423]

Tony, this is my absolute favorite alien movie. Objectively, it is definitely not the best. But it has such a weird sense of humor, and that g****** infant alien makes me so uncomfortable, and I love it. Oh, and Ron Perlman...

[@dillonwalshpvd]

I am trying to imagine what could possibly be censored here 🤔

[@shainewhite2781]

The Newborn Hybrid was going to be an albino colored Alien with no eyes, but has sickle shaped claws that it was going to use to kill both humans and aliens.

[@dylanpailing4314]

Always thought Ripley's psychic connection or whatever with the Aliens was like she wasn't on the same call but she was eavesdropping

[@Smansteel]

I just thought that maybe since Call is an android she could break the knife no problem. Maybe the first clue that she isn’t human.

[@piercethru69]

To answer a couple of your questions with what has always been my head canon : Why is Ripley in a sheet? It's a thin protective film to help mute sensory factors until her body is more ready for them. Eg sound, light. And the basketball thing? Easy. The Xenomorphs are actually really into basketball, but lack a key evolutionary feature not available until Ripley; opposable thumbs. Her need to shoot baskets then overwhelmed all other reason

[@JohnAnthonyChihakSoltero]

Pervis was the guy in Se7en who killed the "lust" victim using knife "toy"

[@wstine79]

It's awesome to see Tony, Johanna and Joe talking about my favorite ALIEN film. I'll bet Crystal is deep under the store fighting those slimy aliens under water.

[@ReanimatorsMutilations]

I'd love to what some of your other favourite movies are 😂

[@changotv5847]

Joe isnt there

[@headshot217]

Your fav alien movie? Wow

[@jacksonscott690]

I wonder what happened to Joe

[@kdusel1991]

@@jacksonscott690 Joe apparently died but Tony was able to clone prison Mike.

[@JoeyMartz]

new sub... I am loving your set/filming location. Lots of cool things throughout the space! J from NJ

[@HeyFella]

I honestly enjoy every mainline Alien film for different reasons. They’re all doing something interesting.

[@bergfruehling]

32:40 Ripley took that hit because she never was in a fight before in her lab rat life (besides attacking the doctors from time to time). Then she immediately knew how to react because the alien instincts kicked in.

[@chrisandrews6185]

Yes. The answer is yes.

[@gingerarab7693]

Worst part about movies in prison, is on the tablet players you can buy, you have to rent each individual movie you want to watch, there are no R rated movies, and most of the movies are kids movies, chick flicks, or mission impossible.

[@shainewhite2781]

This film is 25 years old! Geez, how time flies!

[@JoeyMartz]

26 years old, right? Dropped in 97.

[@NickJarno]

I have a soft sport for this movie, it's the first Alien movie I've ever seen!

[@georgehenderson7783]

Soft spot? 🙂 Watching Alien 4 before watching the first Alien movie really kinda spoils the tension of the first movie but by all means watch it anyway and THEN watch the greatest sequel ever made, Aliens/Alien 2. Alien 3 is optional, lol.

[@NickJarno]

​@@georgehenderson7783 Well, I was like 8 and it was 25 years ago. What was on tv was what you got.

[@rei6nofrot]

Ohhhhh man! I'm very sad Joe isn't on this one. Literally watched the first 3 reviews over the weekend in preparation. Killing me here.

[@daviddodson8922]

I agree. But I do enjoy "Prison Mike"

[@rei6nofrot]

@@daviddodson8922 prison Mike is fine and fun! No complaints there.

[@WaveMurray]

The phone call was funny af

[@stevenfray2853]

It might have Disney eyes. But it also has Michael Jackson’s nose.

[@jordancrossgrove8827]

Also, in Aliens, Bishop says “the creatures blood oxidizes after it dies,” so once they’re dead the acid isn’t dangerous anymore.

[@jealou4088]

I never noticed thx

[@judgedeath3]

An likely reason and answer to why ripley in the beginning was inside of that plastic sheet, I think its symbolism of being born. IF one study it further: Notice it makes it look like ripley is inside of that plastic sheet and breakign free, while you have that big round window above in the room. Later with the queen: The queen has a similair window above her nest where she is giving birth and the newborn is also breaking through something, this time the queens womb its pushing itself out of. Doing pretty much the same as ripley did in the start of the movie out of that plastic sheet, I think its some kind of symbolism, reflection of eachother.

[@xxempirxx]

Always found it funny that the cloning of Ripley was a plot point of the film but no W.Y. Considering they watched her jump in Alien 3. If Anyone was going to clone her for the Queen embryo it would be them. Plus it would of been cool to see Bishop again. I’d always wanted Lance in this movie as Bishop to be actively after ripley almost like a nod to Terminator films when they wanted him as the killer. So on a ship you have Ripley and the Pirates trying to survive the Aliens and the Bishop. Could of been fun.

[@DryptosaurusDavid]

Hey it’s prison mike. He’s back from the dead

[@MovieFanatic4500]

Speaking of small holes in spaceships, yall should check out Space Truckers. It has a scene that is just spectacular in regards to the vacuum of space. It is a classic Dennis Hopper film, and is always worth watching.

[@ProgrammedForDamage]

A friend of mine somehow got a copy of the script before it was shot. The finished product was identical to the script for about three quarters, and then it took a sharp turn toward shithouse. The script ending was very different, with the ship crashing on Earth and the alien escaping. From memory, I think they killed it by knocking it into some industrial farming equipment or something.

[@GizmosHouse]

Alien 4 is my first & favorite in the franchise. It’s the perfect live-action anime

[@bryandavismoviefan]

Great review!

[@Starfig]

I was still kind of with Prometheus for a while, while watching it in the theater. Then they get to the part where they go "it's a helmet!" and all the interesting coolness of the space jockey went out the window.

[@HackTheMovies]

That was the point of no return for me

[@alannevin2490]

I felt the same way, so disappointing.

[@bgood8299]

I had a lot of fun watching this movie. I've never understood why so many people like to crap all over it. Also, hearing Tony say "You're an idiot, Sigourney Weaver!" was funny in a way I didn't expect.

[@Gh0stbumbles]

I think Ripley's skin has to be immuned in some way to acid because she has acid in her blood now her blood's also acidic so her skins probably like the alien's are in some way

[@solomonstillthebest5737]

Joe's dead? Thank God. Time for more Johanna and Krystal episodes.

[@dernettemann9413]

Prison Mike is a national treasure

[@jeremyhague2119]

He is also the father of all my children.

[@shainewhite2781]

Jean Pierre Junet the films director hated working with Joss Whedon.

[@negtivecreep6642]

More prison mike. Also can we get a cut of this movie with Tony in it.

[@Bill_198]

It's weird... yet still fine and fun.

[@BM-wh5qk]

What I remember most about this movie was all the pre-release hype for it. The E! Channel was always showing Behind the Scenes stuff for it.

[@alexandermatthews145]

Bad no great no weird yes Worth watching again maybe

[@dylanpailing4314]

The CGI aliens didn't age the best but I always liked that we actually got to see the aliens legs while they walked

[@robertlogan5354]

i guess some people don't care for the digigrade feet they have in resurrection, while they are plantigrade in most of the other movies. personally, i like it. makes them more... uhm... alien.

[@bensneb360]

This movie is over the top, goofy, and insane… and I love ever second of it, it’s so much fun.

[@frankoprada1]

I wanna know if someone checked prison mike for shanks...

[@hankhills552]

No it was AGAIN…Michelle Trachtenberg said that Joss Whedon was not allowed to be alone in a room with her again

[@TheGary108]

The funny thing about Aqua Aliens toy, there is an actual comic where a group of Marines get stuck on a floating platform surrounded by Xenomorph Sharks. It’s a pretty wild design and I would love to see it done in a movie some day.

[@DashingPunkSamurai]

I LOVE Resurrection! So many cool characters, and it looks incredible. Really fun movie. Ive been waiting for this episode!!!

[@jordancrossgrove8827]

Looking at some pictures of the chestburster, it kind of looks like it’s contained in some sort of membrane sac, so when it opens it’s mouth and screeches it looks like just the front of its head came out of that sack, you can sort of make out the shape of the crown in some pictures with the right angle.

[@flerbus]

alien dna and becoming a teen wolf make you good at basketball

[@TheUballe]

Even as a teen, I knew this was god damn garbage when I saw it in the theater. There's nothing really redeeming about this one, even in hindsight. Yep, it's just as shitty as you remember!

[@GeeVanderplas]

Resurrection feels like an adaptation of one of the old Dark Horse Aliens comics. Crazy scientists, genetic experiments and a weird tone. Seeing it through that lense, it's actually a lot of fun. Definitely better than the AvP movies. I used to think A:R and AvP were kinda on par, but on recent rewatch, A:R is definitely a step above those films (well, 10 steps above AvP:R).

[@TheLethalDiva]

Yeah, to me it feels very much like a comic book. I quite enjoyed it, fun movie.

[@robertlogan5354]

holy crap, i never thought of that! which is kinda crazy, i was into the dark horse comics from right around the first aliens vs predator series.

[@videogamersoasisdotcom]

Aliens Meet Frankenstein in Space. What a freaky and stomach-turning but ultimately hilarious Alien film. You folks made a very entertaining review, and you all have a lot of delightful chemistry and charisma. Thanks for the laughs! More Prison Mike movie reviews, please.

[@livingdeadjake4228]

It's been awhile and no prison Mike I think he's due Tony lmfao. One of my favorites and so just calm and subtle makes me laugh my ass off 😂! Also for the longest time I liked Resurrection over Alien 3 then I grew up to an adult and realized the alien 3 assembly cut is possibly better then 1.

[@HackTheMovies]

He was in December's home alone episode

[@Cyraxior]

So when are we getting the Miami Connection review? I see the DVD and record album on the store counter.

[@sarmavlada]

I watched this in back in the day and was mad cause it dint feel like old alien movies but end of 90's/2000 wave of holywood schlock like Lost in Space. But after re watching it I started to appreciate weird stuff in it.

[@silvertipreviews2230]

Tony: "He crashed his car into a prison bus." Me getting all excited: "I know where this is goinnngggg!"

[@jayonnaise6105]

The Talking About Tapes lore is deep!

[@themadpancaker]

Prison Mike is the best. I laughed so hard I nearly peed. Luckily I was in the shower so it would have been fine. 🤣

[@spudlyson]

Was it the directors cut that starts with the fly? Can’t find the spot you were talking about it to answer my own question.

[@HackTheMovies]

Yeah the special edition has the fly

[@frankoprada1]

Make that shirt tony! I would def buy it!

[@phoenixfdl]

Finally!!!

[@StinkyNugs]

I can't believe with Prison Mike you missed the chance to review the greatest jail movie ever. Ernest goes to Jail

[@cthulhupthagn5771]

I agree with you that it was odd that there were so many toys that didn't have any correlation to the movie, however by this point in time Dark Horse Comics was pretty well-established and they were the keepers of the Lord for Terminator, RoboCop, creditor, colonial Marines. Considering that toy producers usually have to walk off of a initial script, and the chaos that was happening behind the scenes, I figured even then that the toys were really just being pulled off of Dark Horse. And in the context of their stuff, it was long established that the aliens took on the characteristics of whatever they burst out of, and had already introduced a massive variety of aliens. Dog, Beau, etcetera

[@danielcollins9502]

Just watched this movie and I liked it better than I remember

[@davidkelley3890]

TONY! He’s also in “Se7en”!

[@sargefan19]

I legit think it is supposed to be a parady that was never meant to be made or kill the franchise. There is just too much stupid stuff for it to be serious. The general dying had me laughing for like 30 seconds just because it felt like a looney toons skit. Also the pirate crew itself is a cluster of wtf. Ron Perlman has to be a dude with multiple personalities seeing as his character acts different every scene, you have the captains booty call girl who is only there to show some ass, then the black guy who literally ricochets shots to hit his mark somehow missing every shot at the xeno on the ladder even though it is like 2 feet under him only to give up when it grabs his foot and just instantly dies when hitting the water even though he literally just went through it with a dude strapped to his back. That is not even touching Ripley or some of the other characters. Like people hate Alien 3 for some reason but this is what has to turn serious fans of the franchise off

[@prestochango1800]

I am a huge fan of the first 3 movies, yes even part 3. For me, part 4 had a lot of problems, and I'm not referring to production, like part 3, part 4 was just weird. There were too many eye rollers for me and as a result my suspension of disbelief could not hang. The CGI and even the practical effects didn't look good then so even without looking back at it I can imagine it's aweful... things I recall....the grenade roll, the clones and the baby. I remember thinking that that thing was so lame and goofy looking as a teenager. It wasn't even a 10th as cool or creepy as the Aliens so why take a huge step backwards? "Chucky" kissing the glass, LAME! It had a few good aspects but there is no doubt in my mind it put a majority of the nails in the Alien coffin, way more than 3 ever could.. The sacrifice at the end of 3 should have ended it. Go on a bug hunt with the marines or something if you have to, new cast, new adventures would have worked for me. I don't think I'll ever watch this one again. I haven't bothered with Covenant but I am rooting for a good/scary Alien flick someday. Forget the member berries and bring back the suspense, the horror, and the creepy atmosphere, it worked.

[@edmondmartinez9617]

I love this trope of space sucking things out with crazy force, but its flagrantly untrue. Air pressure is about 14 psi, which is just 14 lbs of pressure. You can literally plug a hole like that in a ship with your finger, and i might leave a little hicky when its done. This movie is what got me believing that myth. Space is a vacuum, but it doesnt suck the universe into it, air is just spilling out, and that doesnt carry that much force.

[@bobjohnson1633]

Also, xenomorphs aren't real. Just fyi

[@deetzyboywonder9312]

53:03 i think her using fire to kill 7 highlights her lack of humanity and shines a light on her xeno side

[@8strauss6]

Patreon exclusive Johanna saying" Don't worry about it" ringtone!

[@WeAreStageZero]

Oh man, I saw Alien: Covenant in the theater and I fucking hated it! I ranted about it to a friend when I got home about how bad it was. Bring me in Tony! Let's do it!

[@Tom_Van_Zandt]

If Prison Mike is really an escaped convict Tony can be convicted in a court of law for harboring a known escaped felon. Just FYI. I don't want to see Hack the Movies: the Prison Years. Tony might want to lawyer up asap (that is an acronym for "as soon as possible").

[@robertlogan5354]

a separate comment... one thing this film touches on is how some people seem to become enthralled by the xenomorphs, as geddiman does. previous characters in the series do seem fascinated with them, but not to the extent geddiman goes. this is also echoed in the comics, where aliens have taken over earth at one point, and there are people, both on and off world, that form cults to worship the xenos, not to mention innumerable mad scientists, amd at least one crazy rogue general who wants to lead an army of trained aliens. there is a theory that the alien queen is psychic, with her presence inducing horrible nightmares in most people, among other things

[@Yellowpickle23]

I missed the first part of the video so maybe I'm missing something, but prison mike or whatever, he's asking very little to the conversation.

[@BMN667]

Considering he's been locked away these past few years, while having his emotional essence slowly devoured by dark shrouded ghouls, I think Prison Mike has a surprisingly dry clever sense of humor. Also, if Prison Mike kept interrupting to ask about the conversation, rather than adding to it, I'd be very disappointed.

[@FredrickDouglass69]

The movie was not the same tone as the first ones. But still a masterpiece in its own way. The newborn and the clones were so disturbing I can’t even think about them without it putting me off my food. The mercenaries were epic. They needed their own movie. Like a sci-fi suicide squad.

[@kingkold]

From the what I read the script was suppose to convey the Aliens was perverted because of the inclusion of human DNA

[@sirshartsalot]

This is very entertaining

[@noggersoswreview601]

Tony: Now prison Mike... what do you think about anything?? PM: I dunno

[@lisbon1492]

24:07 To be fair, Tony is right. That guy did the right thing. You really shouldn't try to stop a gunman in a crowded public place unless it is a mass shooting. Yeah, the guy should have directed his girlfriend to follow him, but he made the smart move.

[@MickDeaks]

As SOON as you mentioned Covenant I thought to myself "he's going to say fingering" haha. It's so bad.

[@C_U_Next_Tuesday]

Hey Tony, any plans for Warlock 1 or 2? I know you joke about capitalizing on tragedy, but Julian Sands is a legend and has always deserved the recognition. Maybe Arachnophobia? He is a unique actor that has always been near and dear to many horror fan’s hearts. Boxing Helena is a f’d up movie too, but maybe the Warlock movies are better suited for HTM. Sending love to his family and still hoping for an amazing survival story. 😔

[@turnbull832]

Prison mike would of been perfect for Aliens³ so no wonder Tony had dreams about it.

[@8strauss6]

I totally thought Tony said Joe Dante at the beginning

[@LukeKorolowiczArt]

the movie comes off like a french science fiction comic with an english translation by joss whedon

[@ryandireda9455]

Gary Dorman went to jail because of drug use. My mom and I ran into him in Vegas back in 09' he was nice.

[@Christopher_Vose]

That line about Joss Whedon not being allowed to be alone in a closed room with the then minor Michelle Trachtenberg bothers me so much for its complete lack of context. My suspicion is that no adult men were allowed to be alone in a closed room with the then minor Michelle Trachtenberg, in which case that seems pretty much normal for children on a film set, but if they had to implement a rule specific to him alone, then it's skeevy as all hell. To my knowledge, no one has asked this of her, and she hasn't elaborated on her claims.

[@FestArc]

I enjoy Resurrection a lot. It use to come on cable a lot which is where I would catch it. I don't think it's as good as the first two films but I think it's a fun ride and has some interesting ideas.