Rating: R
Genre:
Science Fiction
Release Date: 03/24/1997
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English/French/Espanol
Sound: DD5.1/DDS
Run Time: 108 Minutes
Distributor/Studio: MGM
Fine special effects, eclectic casting, and the freeze-frame-worthy, clothing-free debut of a blonde bombshell made this cheesy science fiction/horror hybrid a cut above its B-grade roots. At a top-secret Utah facility headed up by Dr. Xavier Fitch (
Ben Kingsley), scientists have created "Sil" (
Natasha Henstridge), a half-human, half-alien product of experiments with DNA codes obtained from beyond the stars. Unfortunately, Sil has escaped. Her primary objective is to mate, and, with the ability to transform herself into an incredibly powerful alien creature, puny humans can't stop her. So Dr. Fitch calls in a quartet of specialists (
Forest Whitaker,
Michael Madsen,
Marg Helgenberger, and
Alfred Molina), to attempt Sil's capture. At the same time, Sil is leaving a trail of mostly male corpses in her hormonal wake. The organic-flavored alien designs for
Species were provided by
H.R. Giger, the artist responsible for the memorable creatures and spaceships of
Alien (1979). When MGM decided to cut the spectacular "train birth" sequence in the interest of budget-trimming, Giger personally financed this $100,000 showcase of his work. Those who look closely will notice that "Young Sil" is played by future
Dawson's Creek star
Michelle Williams.
~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide