Species (1995)

	Directed by: Roger Donaldson	COUNTRY USA GENRE Sci-Fi/Horror NORWEGIAN TITLE Farlig Rase RUNNING TIME 108 minutes
	Produced by: Frank Mancuso, Jr. Dennis Feldman
	Written by: Dennis Feldman

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Fitch	Ben Kingsley	½
Press	Michael Madsen
Arden	Alfred Molina	½
Dan	Forest Whitaker	½
Laura	Marg Helgenberger
Sil	Natasha Henstridge
Young Sil	Michelle Williams	-

Review

Roger Donaldson's Species is another entry in the sci-fi-horror subgenre that doesn't pose more of a conundrum than "aliens are here – watch out!". There are no existential reflections here, no nuances regarding intelligent life. This time, the "creature" is half human and half something else, "played" by model-beautiful newcomer Natasha Henstridge. The concept is that the creature was made by scientists based on alien DNA, a premise the filmmakers seem to believe enables them to disregard all logic. Naturally, it's all about instincts and reproduction for the creature. And since it's all about ostensible horror for Donaldson, the thematic depth stops right there. The laws of physics are suspended, and the laws of Hollywood clichés reign supreme: four people are given the task to hunt down the creature and save the day. Not surprisingly, they also have time to fall in love with each other. Meanwhile, the creature somehow manages to learn how to drive a car without any prior knowledge. The sci-fi silliness reaches a new low in Species; it's like Alien's mentally disabled brother. Some jump scares and CGI effects are everything this film has to offer.