The honour of getting a strait to video release is kind of degrading, but in the b-movie industry in doesn't automatically mean that a film is without merit. Take for example the three tremors sequels, fans love those. I'll give Species III a little credit for rejuvenating the concept pioneered in the first movie. This material feels much more fresh than Species II. It manages to continue the story, without getting increasingly shallow as a side effect.
What made species so unique was that the film was designed as a bug hunt, but for a while it makes us sympathetic to the bug, rather than repulsed by it. Species III has a similar effect at times, which I must say I didn't expect. It ends on a nice note for a horror film, something which may actually get you interested in Species IV rather than annoyed with the idea.
The first thing to like about Species three is, that there is no more Michael Madsen or Natasha Henstridge, both of whom were rather useless in the sequel. Last time we saw Eve (Henstridge) she was in an ambulance on her way to the morgue. That's pretty much where we begin here. Next thing you know she comes alive, if only for a moment to give birth. the military escort Dr. Abbot runs away with the baby, raises her in secret, names her Sara, and once she is old enough formulates a plan to mutate her DNA. He takes on one of his students as an apprentice, who Sara falls in love with.
This sums up the basics of the first two acts. The final half hour takes a weird and unnecessary turn, as the film tries overly hard to surpass, its predecessor. Apparently one bomb-shell alien chick is not enough. Why do so many films have climax trouble? being convoluted works in books or TV, but doesn't enrich a movie experience.
In the end though, Species III, delivers more than you might expect, even if it lacks a moment of intelligence.
What made species so unique was that the film was designed as a bug hunt, but for a while it makes us sympathetic to the bug, rather than repulsed by it. Species III has a similar effect at times, which I must say I didn't expect. It ends on a nice note for a horror film, something which may actually get you interested in Species IV rather than annoyed with the idea.
The first thing to like about Species three is, that there is no more Michael Madsen or Natasha Henstridge, both of whom were rather useless in the sequel. Last time we saw Eve (Henstridge) she was in an ambulance on her way to the morgue. That's pretty much where we begin here. Next thing you know she comes alive, if only for a moment to give birth. the military escort Dr. Abbot runs away with the baby, raises her in secret, names her Sara, and once she is old enough formulates a plan to mutate her DNA. He takes on one of his students as an apprentice, who Sara falls in love with.
This sums up the basics of the first two acts. The final half hour takes a weird and unnecessary turn, as the film tries overly hard to surpass, its predecessor. Apparently one bomb-shell alien chick is not enough. Why do so many films have climax trouble? being convoluted works in books or TV, but doesn't enrich a movie experience.
In the end though, Species III, delivers more than you might expect, even if it lacks a moment of intelligence.