Synopsis
In 1993, the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence Project receives a transmission detailing an alien DNA structure, along with instructions on how to splice it with human DNA. The result is Sil, a sensual but deadly creature who can change from a beautiful woman to an armour-plated killing machine in the blink of an eye.
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Cast
- Natasha HenstridgeSil
- Ben KingsleyXavier Fitch
- Michael MadsenPreston Lennox
- Marg HelgenbergerDr. Laura Baker
- Alfred MolinaDr. Stephen Arden
- Forest WhitakerDan Smithson, Empath
- Michelle WilliamsYoung Sil
- Jordan LundAide
- Herta WareMrs. Morris
- William UtayColleague
Recommendations
- 63
ReelViews
Director Roger Donaldson has a lot of fun with his premise. The top-notch special effects, which use a lot of seamless computer animation, make the climax look very nice. The rest of the film is 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. - 60
Empire
Despite the ridiculous premise and casting this is still a pacey little sci-thriller. - 50
Chicago Sun-Times
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. - 50
San Francisco Chronicle
If Species sounds ridiculous, it is -- though as ridiculous science fiction films go, this one has its moments. As usual, these moments come early. - 50
San Francisco Examiner
The direction by Roger Donaldson is facile and understated, as is, for the most part, the script by Dennis Feldman. Even the actors pitch in to play down the silliness of it all. - 50
Washington Post
A shameless Alien rip-off (it even uses a similar typeface in its ads), it makes no sense whatsoever. But don't hold the movie's utter unoriginality and brainlessness against it. A few laughs, a few popcorn-jolting scares—what more do you want on a hot summer night? - 50
TV Guide Magazine
Alien meets Basic Instinct in this textbook illustration of what happens when millions of dollars' worth of technical expertise is brought to bear on a cheap, exploitative script. - 40
The New York Times
The director, Roger Donaldson, best known for the Kevin Costner thriller No Way Out, keeps the film moving. But there is only so much suspense he can generate from this stock story and familiar-looking special effects. Species may work best for viewers who don't like to be too scared by horror movies; it's reassuringly familiar.
