Alien: Resurrection Costume Revival - Nightmare Redux
Venturing into the murky depths of the USM Auriga in Alien: Resurrection, we loosen the chains of decorum and dive headfirst into the brutal, gritty, and undeniably sexy costume designs of 1997's sci-fi horror classic. Bob Ringwood, the master architect of Alien lore's most iconic attire, weaves a sinister web with his sartorial creations - and jeepers creepers, what a tangled web it is.
The tension aboard the USM Auriga drips with dread, as the ship's amenities like a basketball court and mercenary lineup give the appearance of a fun-filled cruise, but beneath the surface lies a sinister secret. In Alien: Resurrection, set two centuries after Alien 3, fans welcome the return of Ellen Ripley, now a clone, and a legion of decidedly displeased Xenomorphs. The naval powers-that-be seek to harness these wrathful critters for study, inducting abducted humans as unwilling hosts. Chaos ensues, as the Aliens break free from captivity. Our heroine (arguably) Ripley, along with a ragtag crew of mercenaries, fights a desperate battle for survival against the relentless Xenomorph onslaught.
Regardless of whether the film's narrative drew groans or gasps, one thing's for certain - Ringwood's costumes were, once again, instrumental in setting the tone. Ringwood's illustrious career boasts an impressive roster of iconic films like Dune (1984), Excalibur, Batman Returns, Star Trek: Nemesis, and more.
Let's get only slightly academic and discuss the main players' costumes. Kicking things off with Ripley herself, now Ellen 8, the Xenomorph DNA infusion enlivened Ringwood's vanguard approach. Gone were the khaki-colored utilitarian jumpsuits of yore; in their stead, a sultry, form-fitting ribbed leather vest in a scarlet hue unfurled. The vest's emphasized ribbing accentuated Ripley's physique, crafting a triangular silhouette that evoked her darker side. The linear costume, coupled with her slicked-back hair and the gloomy atmosphere of the ship, bred an unmistakable sense of trepidation among the mercenaries.
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The film takes place in 2381, but the nineties' grunge fashion left an indelible mark on Ringwood's designs. This delightful fusion of nineties fashion and budget-bursting sci-fi is a testament to the creative energy coursing through the costume design world during that time. A closer look reveals Joss Whedon's cinematic soulmate, Jean Paul Gaultier, as a significant inspiration behind Ringwood's design decisions. As if that weren't intriguing enough, Gaultier shared a professional connection with Alien: Resurrection director Jean-Pierre Jeunet through their collaboration on The City of Lost Children just a few years prior. This kismet-tinged connection adds another layer of intrigue to the tale of a time when science fiction costume history shone more brilliantly than ever.
Speaking of nineties vibes, let's turn our attention to Annalee Call, the Auton-in-disguise portrayed by Winona Ryder. Call embodies an intriguing amalgamation of humanity and mechanization, and Ringwood's costume design echoes this enigma. A practical jumpsuit reminiscent of Ripley's Aliens ensemble, updated with futuristic sensibilities, adorns Call. Sharp lines, ribbing, and color blocking infuse the look with a modern, trendsetting flair without overshadowing the horror inherent in the plot.
Another fresh face gracing the Alien universe is Johner, played by Ron Perlman. As a mercenary with questionable loyalties, Johner possesses a rough-and-tumble persona. Ringwood's ensemble for Perlman skillfully marries practicality with a signature science-fiction flair, accentuating his muscular build and weapon-ready appearance. An arm belt, a bracer, and a stylized collar opulently enrobe Johner, exuding a sense of danger and fierce determination.
In true Ringwood fashion, a strikingly cohesive aesthetic unites the entire cast. Together, these characters seamlessly blend into the gruesome spectacle that is Alien: Resurrection. Ringwood's costumes resolve a delicate balance - they remain grounded in reality, yet wear a cloak of delightfully over-the-top futuristic panache. Sweat, distressed fabrics, and wet clothing speak to the authentic trauma the characters endure throughout the film, reinforcing the audience's immersion in the nightmare unfolding on screen.
Before we part ways, let's talk Xenomorphs, the villainous creature that Alien adoring fans know and love. The 1979 Xenomorph originally took the shape of a rubber suit made from various materials like plaster-casts, plasticine, animal meat, and old Rolls-Royce tubes. This iconic design has endured over the years, resurfacing in Alien: Resurrection, though Giger's genius wasn't fully recognized at the time of the film's release.
One must also acknowledge the Newborn, the peculiar Xenomorph character who stirred quite the commotion. A hybrid born from the Alien Queen carried inside Ripley and human DNA, the Newborn's creature design was, to say the least, intriguing. Beneath the surface of this offbeat creature's origins lies a juicy scandal concerning Joss Whedon's initial ideas - but that's an entire other story for another time.
There you have it! Alien: Resurrection is polarizing within the Alien series, but there's no denying its significance in visual storytelling. Ringwood's costumes for the film embody the spirit of the nineties, casting a spell of science-fiction fashion magic with a futuristic twist that elevates the characters and enriches the horror experience. Ringwood's impeccable attention to detail, manifested in aging, distressing techniques, and minute embellishments, cements the characters' roles as indispensable pieces of this unsettling puzzle. In the realm of Alien: Resurrection, Ringwood's costume designs lend an air of authenticity and legitimacy to the on-screen nightmare.
Thank you for joining me for a wild, waste-of-time Alien Day journey. As we conclude our investigation into the costume designs of the Ellen Ripley-centric Alien franchise, one can't help but wonder what lurks around the corner in Prometheus. Yes, yes, I can already hear you beckoning me for another article next year. Just you wait!
Πηγές Εισπράξεων
Barrett, Wyatt. "Simon Dumenco Arrested for Attempting to Auction Real-Life Princess Leia Wardrobe Burnt from a Fire." Yahoo! Finance, 20 May 2021, finance.yahoo.com/news/simon-dumenco-arrested-attempting-auctioning-real-life-princess-leia-wardrobe-burnt-041000589.html.
Gunning, Cathal. "Alien: Resurrection's Newborn Xenomorph Was Originally Way Worse." Screen Rant, 12 Feb. 2022, screenrant.com/alien-resurrection-newborn-xenomorph-original-design-genitals-fail-explained/.
Ruiz, Fran. "Alien Movies in Order: Chronological and Release." Space.com, Space, 1 Nov. 2022, space.com/alien-movies-in-order.
Sigourney Weaver Ripley Screen-Used Costume from Alien Resurrection - with DVD, julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/381/lot/154410/SIGOURNEY-WEAVER-RIPLEY-SCREEN-USED-COSTUME-FROM-ALIEN-RESURRECTION-WITH-DVD. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
White, Andrew. "The Fashion Influences Behind Jean Paul Gaultier's Iconic Designs for The Fifth Element." The Vintage News, 13 Aug. 2019, thevintagenews.com/2019/08/13/the-fashion-influences-behind-jean-paul-gaultiers-iconic-designs-for-the-fifth-element/.
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Costume design in movies and TV shows, such as Alien: Resurrection, often draws inspiration from various fields, including science and space-and-astronomy. Bob Ringwood, the same designer who crafted iconic attire for Alien lore, brought nineties' grunge fashion into the mix, creating a fusion that is both budget-bursting and remarkably trendsetting.
Ringwood's sinister web of costume creations in Alien: Resurrection extended to Ellen Ripley, the protagonist of the film, in which he incorporated aspects of science, like Xenomorph DNA, to design her form-fitting, scarlet ribbed leather vest. The linear costume, coupled with slicked-back hair and the gloomy atmosphere of the ship, evoked a sense of trepidation among the mercenaries.
In the realm of entertainment, the Synthetic Hollywood delved into the world of science fiction, with fashion icons like Jean Paul Gaultier providing inspiration for designers like Bob Ringwood, whose work continues to captivate audiences with its mesmerizing blend of reality and over-the-top futuristic panache.
