If you cast about for critical opinions on the newest Alien movie (number seven in the franchise, not counting spinoffs, crossovers and Spaceballs) you’ll find a lot of references to it being a return to the 1979 original, to its horror roots, to its practical effects, etc. So why even call it Alien: Romulus? Why not just go with Alien: The Return?

Well, because there is a lot that’s new in this one, although most of that is front-loaded into the film’s first half. The further along you go, the more it starts to resemble older Alien films, until the final act turns into a rip-off (or should that be Ripley off?) of some of the iconic original’s and its superb sequel’s best moments.