Species

Two decades ago, scientists sent a message to space. This is the reply.
Two decades ago, scientists sent a message to space. This is the reply.
SPECIES (18)
D: Roger Donaldson 
MGM (Fred Mancuso, Jr. & Dennis Feldman)
US 1995
108 mins

Science Fiction/Thriller

W: Dennis Feldman
DP: Andrzej Bartkowiak
Ed: Conrad Buff
Mus: Christopher Young

Natasha Henstridge (Sil), Ben Kingsley (Xavier Fitch), Michael Madsen (Preston Lennox), Alfred Molina (Dr. Stephen Arden), Forest Whitaker (Dan Smithson), Marg Helgenberger (Dr. Laura Baker)

With H.R. Giger as the creative brains in the special effects crew, it's little surprise how much this rips off his creature design for 1979's Alien, despite his specific instructions not to do so.
Natasha Henstridge plays an intergalactic beasty masquerading as a voluptuous beauty. Her plan is to be impregnated by some Earth man so her seed can eventually conquer the planet. The only thing that stands in her way is a team of scientists who allowed her to break loose in the first place.
There are some good moments of tension in this science fiction-thriller and, in parts, some good visual effects. The film falls apart in the final act however when some truly awful CGI effects take over in place of a satisfying climax.
4/10
 
Species
Species

Mating season begins
Mating season begins
SPECIES II (18)
D: Peter Medak
Universal/MGM (Fred Mancuso, Jr.)
US 1998
93 mins

Science Fiction/Thriller

W: Chris Brancato
DP: Matthew F. Leonetti
Ed: Richard Nord
Mus: Edward Shearmur

Michael Madsen (Preston Lennox), Natasha Henstridge (Eve), Marg Helgenberger (Dr. Laura Baker), Mykelti Williamson (Dennis Gamble), James Cromwell (Sen. Judson Ross)

Boring retread of the first film, with a few members from the original returning to go through the exact same motions. The story makes little sense in comparison to the first film and is little more than an excuse for main actress Natasha Henstridge to participate in more kit-offery.
Even the CGI is worse with these sloppy seconds, taking even more stock from the Alien movies and H.R. Giger's sexually-influenced designs.
Two more sequels followed, both released direct to the home video market.
3/10

Natasha Henstridge in Species II
Natasha Henstridge in Species II