Especies II

After the original 'Species' gained word of mouth - Henstridge's nudity - and ranked in the cash, it was a given that MGM would do a sequel. Three years later here was '2' except this time no attempt to treat the material semi seriously. Reading reviews you'll see two camps. Those who still enjoy it's trashy elements and those who rightfully see it as a big step down.

Astronauts touch down on Mars and take soil samples that contain the alien DNA. Back on Earth, hunky head Patrick Ross (Justin Lazard) goes about making hybrids. Sil has been recreated in a more docile clone in Eve (Natasha Henstridge) with a physic bond to the male alien who gets excited when it senses him having sex. Things once again get out of control and in returns Baker (Marg Helgenberger), Lennox (Michael Madsen) and sole uninfected astronaut Gamble (Mykelti Williamson) to stop an outbreak.

Established actors James Cromwell, George Dzundza & Peter Boyle turn up in one note, cliche roles. Henstridge doesn't really become a big part of the movie until the last third. Helgenberger but especially Madsen are slumming it for a paycheck. The man himself said doing this was a mistake. Williamson's character was written to be a replacement for a non returning Forest Whitaker. It ramps up the nudity and violence and goes bigger with the HR Giger effects, but that doesn't make it better.

'Species 2' failed with audiences. Maybe it was released at the wrong time or people saw thru it and weren't stupid. From a technical point of view is certainly well made and the gratuitous elements stop it from ever being boring, but the story & characters are asleep at the wheel. They tried to not be a tired retread, but that's exactly what it is.

The people who are stating that this movie is the worst sequel they've ever seen obviously never saw "Hercules II" or "Jaws 3-D" or "Hellraiser II". Now, I am not about to tell you that this is a great film, but if you set your expectations low, you are likely to have fun. Despite the icky (and variable in quality, though impressive in the last 10 minutes) special effects and the large amounts of blood and t&a, the film never becomes truly disturbing, because you're never meant to take it 100% seriously. Michael Madsen understood that, to be sure, and thanks to his trademarked coolness, he walks away with the picture. As for Natasha Henstridge, she has more or less a supporting part, but one that is rather imaginatively linked to the central story line.

Overall, a movie with no artistic pretensions and, undoubtedly, many flaws (someone else already mentioned this; why didn't her head explode when she escaped from the lab?), but watch it in the right frame of mind and it's quite enjoyable. Do you know any other movie that features sex between slimy aliens?!? (**1/2)

If you liked the first species film you will like this, it's not as good but it's more or less the same just a bit cheaper. The sci-fi story is cool and I like the series and will watch the third one to see if it's any good.

This movie sucks! The original was much better and even it wasn't that good. The only thing this has going for it is the scenes with sex and nudity. Gore fans might like this movie but if your looking for an amazing science fiction/horror experience than watch the ALIEN films.

This was not a great movie. I mean for example, Even NASA (Never A Straight Answer) wouldn't make a six month one way voyage to Mars to spend less than two hours on the planet surface. The premise is hard to buy, but hey, it is science FICTION. The effects are not bad, and the acting is fair. There is a lot of gratuitous sex. Michael Marsden may be the bright spot in this average sci-fi flick. I wouldn't pay to see this in the theatre, but on video.... There are probably worse ways to spend an hour and forty-two minutes.