10 Reasons Alien 3 Is A Misunderstood Masterpiece

7. Supporting Characters

There are some really good stand-outs in this movie. The one most-deserving of mention is the medical officer, Clemens (Charles Dance). From the start, Clemens seems primed to be the major supporting character, taking on a similar role in Ripley€™s life that had been occupied by Hicks in the previous film. And despite the dishonesty between the two, both Ripley and Clemens know the other is lying, yet seems strangely okay with it. Perhaps out of desperation or perhaps out of something more, but it€™s a great interplay. And then, after they€™ve consummated their relationship and Clemens has been upfront with Ripley about his past, he dies, very suddenly. Superintendent Andrews (Brian Glover) also seems primed to be an antagonist. Similar to Burke or Ash, he comes off as a company man, quick to dismiss Ripley€™s story of the alien. He€™s got a strong presence, and then just as Ripley runs in and tells him that the alien killed Clemens, you see Andrews at the end of his rope and it looks like this is when the fireworks between the two are going to go off. But instead, Andrews is instantly killed off. It€™s a bold move to take these two very strong characters and kill them right when the action starts. Another mention should be made of Paul McGann€™s small performance as Golic. He€™s wonderfully disturbed throughout his short stint, and McGann clearly has a lot of fun with the scenes when Golic is muttering about the dragon and how it€™s talking to him. And when he attacks his fellow inmate who is guarding the room they€™ve trapped the alien in, he cuts the guy€™s throat and starts dancing while screaming €œSorry! Sorry!€ And finally, Lance Henriksen is another great addition, tying the film to the previous installment by having two very small roles. The first is reprising his role as the remains of the android Bishop, informing Ripley about the alien onboard the Sulaco, and Henriksen is able to be very convincing even with all this make-up he€™s under. And then, he plays Michael Weyland (as the character is so named in the canon), who designed Bishop. He€™s very manipulative in this scene, trying to convince Ripley to come with him, and then going crazy at the prospect of losing it. Ironically, Henriksen€™s performance as the human and not the android is the one that brings the character closer to Ash from the first movie, whereas the android has more humanity.