Sigourney Weaver and Winnona Ryder star in the latest 'Alien' sequel. (© 1997 Fox)

November 26. Remember that date. It's the official U.S. release for the fourth movie in the Aliens series, "Alien Resurrection."

Perhaps you think I'm jumping the gun a little bit reviewing a movie before having seen it. Then again, there's fewer than 70 shopping days until Christmas, and I hate to rush things.

"Alien Resurrection" stands to revive the struggling Alien franchise. The first "Alien" was a science fiction phenomenon that caught on like wildfire. The second movie in the series, "Aliens," got the fire so hot studio executives thought they had another Star Wars on their hands.

"Aliens 3" is where that dream died a quick death. It was the worst kind of sequel, the kind done purely for the sake of making a sequel. Worse yet, it showed. Sigourney Weaver was quite done with the alien mess, and for a time it looked as though the franchise was dead in the water.

Fast forward a few years later to the appropriately named "Resurrection." Weaver's back through the miracle of genetic cloning, but oops...she's part alien this time around. Those mad scientist types will get you every time. It seems "the company" decided resurrecting Ripley would bring back the secret of the Queen embryo that died with her. For once it seems they got it right.

The prospect of a bigger, badder Lt. Ripley was enough to pull Weaver back. Weaver, known to be the creepiest actresses in Hollywood, signed on early and even had a hand in early production. Don't see this movie alone.

Also along for the ride is Winnona Ryder, the other creepiest actress in Hollywood. She plays Annalee Call, this movie's artificial life form. (They don't like to be called "androids.") Sorry Bishop, Annalee has a bit more sex appeal. Don't get me wrong, we're talking about some real acting power behind this film.

The plot centers around Ryder, Weaver, and a band of mercenaries fighting for survival aboard the alien infested ship Ripley is 'reborn' on. It seems a few big bad bugs got loose and the only way off the ship is somewhere deep in their territory.

Without a doubt this movie is going to be worth seeing. It has the right people, a solid plot, and the fashionable premise of cloning. Any two of those can make a good movie but let's not forget to add in the big budget effects or the built in audience.

Did I mention the underwater firefight? How about Ripley getting "intimate" with the hive? Ah, those wacky resurrected hybrid clones, you know how they are. Been dead, done that. I guess they like the tall dark and deadly type.

In the pre-Christmas movie season the only stiff competition might come from "Starship Troopers," the other Big Bad Bug movie. Even if "Space: Above and Beyond," oh wait... I mean "Starship Troopers" does well (which I expect it will), it shouldn't cut too deep into AR's market share.

The only real question now is, who's going to survive to Aliens 5.

More information is available from the official "Alien Resurrection" web site at http://www.alien-resurrection.com/.

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