Species 2 (1998)

Horrible dialogue, half-asleep actors, and, oh, one set of bared 
breasts every ten minutes are just *some* of the campy highlights 
of this shoddy, sex-obsessed sci-fi sequel.  Natasha Henstridge 
returns as the "alien she-bitch" who was killed in the first film, 
but has been recreated here as a half-human "hybrid."  She spends 
most of the movie in a "testosterone free" (all girl!) lab, where's 
she's poked and prodded and sometimes filmed in slow-motion, usual-
ly while jogging on a treadmill.  (Needless to say, covert govern-
ment agencies do not issue sports bras.)  Her big scene is at the 
end, when she gets to drop her dress opposite an alien sex partner 
(Justin Lazard), who, of course, gets to keep his jeans on.  (Gotta 
love that gender equity!)  He's human on the outside, but has "hos-
tile DNA" in his system-- so hostile, in fact, that every sexual 
encounter with an Earth woman leaves her dead and bloodied, usually 
from an exploding belly.  (Baby boys keep popping out everywhere!)  
There's more, of course, and not a damn bit of it deserves to be 
taken seriously.  My favorite:  Michael Madsen and Mykelti William-
son merely "walking fast" while in foot pursuit of the villain.  
Hilarious.  With James Cromwell, George Dzundza, Marg Helgenberger, 
and, in cameos, Peter Boyle and Richard Belzer as... the President.  
Directed by Peter Medak (ROMEO IS BLEEDING), with tongue firmly in 
cheek.  (Rated "R"/93 min.)

Grade: D+

Copyright 1998 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies in MOVIE HELL: April 12, 1998