Balancing Quality and Nostalgia: Fede Alvarez's Take on the Alien Franchise Debate

The discussion around which Alien film holds the title of the best is a heated one. Both Alien and Aliens are exceptional in their own right, each bringing unique elements to the table. It's common for enthusiasts to have distinct opinions, often thinking one may be superior in terms of filmmaking while the other holds a more personal significance. This sentiment is echoed by Fede Alvarez, the director of Alien: Romulus.

While conversing with Collider, Alvarez delved into this debate. He mentioned that there are essentially two key questions to consider: what is the best film, and what is the favorite film. Alvarez noted that for him, these questions can have differing answers. He drew a comparison to the Back to the Future series, where he acknowledges the first film as the best yet favors the second one more. Similarly, when it comes to the Alien franchise, Alvarez views Alien as the best film in terms of overall quality. However, Aliens holds a special place in his heart due to generational influence, as it was the first one he saw.

For those who cherish Aliens over its predecessor, there's some comfort in knowing that even the director behind a significant Alien installment shares this fondness. This adds another layer to the ongoing debate, recognizing that personal connection often influences these preferences as much as cinematic merit does.