Cast
View All
Robin Dunne
as Dean
Robert Knepper
as Dr. Abbot
Sunny Mabrey
as Sara
Amelia Cooke
as Amelia
Christopher Neame
as Dr. Nicholas Turner
Patricia Bethune
as Colleen
Michael Warren
as Agent Wasach
Natasha Henstridge
as Eve
John Paul Pitoc
as Hastings
Joel Stoffer
as Portus
James Leo Ryan
as Yosef
Savanna Fields
as Young Sara
Reed Frerichs
as ISD Staffer
Marc D. Wilson
as Crew Chief
Matthew Yang King
as Specialist Robert Kelley
Crew
Director
- Brad Turner
Producer
- David Dwiggins
Reviews
CinemaSerf
Yes, I know - Why? This dreary sci-fi bobbins scraped together enough interest to put together this conclusion to the increasingly poor trilogy about space aliens who just want to have sex! The previous cast have jumped ship, so they have drafted in the easy on-the-eye Robin Dunne to play the whizkid student "Dean". He is roped in by his professor "Abbot" (Robert Knepper) when the latter man discovers the remnants of an alien in his basement and is soon harvesting eggs and creating a new beastie in the form of the beautiful "Sara" (Sunny Mabrey). Of course, she's not the only creature out there and soon they have to deal with the marauding "Amelia" (Amelia Cooke - keep it simple for her) and fight for their very survival. It's way too long to sustain the threadbare story and Dunne really hasn't the gravitas to carry the really lightweight cast through all but two hours of rehashed storyline and very average special effects. Was it straight to video? Or the sci-fi channel? Very little to redeem it, sorry.
May 22, 2023
Thematic Analysis
This Science Fiction/Action/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Species III presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Brad Turner brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2005, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Species III took approximately 15 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 111 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 166 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1515 individual shots.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 9 months to complete.
- The costume department created over 119 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 2005, when this film is released:
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Species III shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike War of the Worlds, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Species III subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Mars Attacks! and Raiders of the Lost Ark explore similar territory, Species III stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: January 14, 2005
- Runtime: 1h 51m
