MovieChat Forums > Species (1995) Discussion > Impressive cast but $h!tty acting

Impressive cast but $h!tty acting

posted 8 years ago by Bneidl
9 replies | jump to latest

I saw this in the theater in 1995 and immediately dismissed it as 100% stupid. Tonight, almost 20 years later, I watched it for a little while on inDemand out of pure curiosity -- was it as bad as I remembered?

I'm struck by how good the cast is on paper: Ben Kingsley, Forrest Whitaker and Alfred Molina; and, to a lesser extent, Michael Madsen and Marg Helgenberger. They've all been great in other movies or shows.

But holy *bleep* they're all terrible in this. Granted, the script is awful, but none of them rise to the occasion, none of them transcend that. Ben Kingsley's putting on a ridiculous voice, I want to laugh out loud every time Forrest Whitaker speaks, and Molina looks like an idiot. You have to figure the common denominator to all this bad acting is an awful director who somehow guided a bunch of normally good actors to the worst performances of their careers.

[–] leejean21 8 years ago

Yes...the script was so bad! Just goes to show no matter how talented the actors are, the writers make all the difference.

[–] houstonhacker 8 years ago

I wanted annoying Forest *beep* to die in the first scene.

[–] huutheheckcares 7 years ago

It was fairly obvious most of them were in it for just another paycheck - they knew it was pretty cliched and dumb!

[–] atd8vii (592) 6 years ago

Ben Kingsley clearly looks disinterested in his role, Michael Madsen always looks the same in every movie he's in so I don't know if he gave a shit or not (I'd say he didn't), but the others look to me like they were at least trying, pointing at you Marg Helgenberger and Alfred Molina.

On the whole this movie is pretty shit but it' s at least watchable shit.

[–] TheArgentinian (6463) 3 years ago

I haven't seen it in 20 years. Back then I wouldn't have known the cast. But seeing now the names, wow, this movie was stacked! They must have thought it would be the new Alien. It's been pretty much forgotten, though.

[–] Sidha108 (2367) 3 years ago

It needs a reboot. Even if they try to make it for the “me-too” generation (ie casting Brie Larson as Sil), I still want to see a rebirth of this franchise.

[–] Wuchak (8161) 3 years ago

the script is awful... $h!tty acting

How so? It's a compelling sci-fi/horror flick, not "Gandhi." The characters are effectively fleshed-out as human beings despite their in-demand professions, which makes them relatable and interesting. The concept that the alien DNA was sent as a biological weapon, a "weed killer" from outer space to wipe out the galactic weed of earth or, more accurately, the human race that inhabits it, is fascinating.

Yes, aspects of the close in the sewers are somewhat eye-rolling but, other than that, the film is effective for what it is. I'd watch it any day over "Alien."

Lastly, the film made well over three times its expense and inspired three sequels. Even Gene Siskel, who's not a fan of sci-fi or horror, commended and recommended it. Gee, maybe the writing isn't that "awful" and the acting not that "$h!tty."

[–] naDaht (1087) 3 years ago

It's way better than it deserves to be. And way smarter than Alien.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

There was nothing wrong with the acting.