Alien 3: The Official Movie Novelization

This is an excellent series for those looking for lite SciFi that is big on action and not totally out of the box on technology. Alan Dean Foster is a superb master of the genre and I have read several of his works not related to the Alien franchise. This third book was good as well. I simply did not find it to be as energized as the first and second works. I think this is simply my personal opinion and it is at least partially based on my fatigue with the whole "prison planet" concept. When the action moved in that direction I had to stifle an inward groan. To the author's credit, he does build in enough plot twists and unique concepts into this action venue to rescue the book quite nicely. Read and enjoy!

This book is the novelization of the third movie in the ALIEN franchise - ALIEN 3 (actually ALIEN CUBED). I just finished the first two books ALIEN and ALIENS and I'm just loving these books. They are bringing back so many great memories from originally watching the movies.The book and the movie don't match up exactly, if my memory is serving me correctly. I'm actually going to have to sit down soon and watch them all again (no hardship there). It's been a few years since I watched them the last time so I want to refresh my memory.But even if there are some differences, this is still an exciting, action-packed story and well worth reading.And, if for some unforeseen reason you haven't watched the movies, rent them or better yet buy them for your movie library and watch these sci fi/horror classics.

WOW! I have not said that in a while and this reviewer surely did not expect that word to come from Alan Dean Foster’s 247-page novelization of Alien 3. Like so many—like millions— who were disappointed with David Fincher’s 1993 film, I did not expect Foster’s novel to change my mind about the “original” conclusion to the Alien franchise. Even ten years ago when I watched the Director’s Cut, I was still left wondering exactly what I was suppose to feel about Ellen Ripley’s final battle with the Xenomorph. Those familiar with the film will not find any spoilers here, for those who have not seen the film, there will be several plot points discussed in this review.The original draft for Alien 3 was for Ripley to crash land on a planet in the outer system that was home to a monastery. Much of the theme was kept with the inclusion of Dillon’s character and his followers who chose to stay as custodians for a mining colony turned maximum-security facility. Yet, I can’t help but wonder what the story would have “felt” like to have had devoted monks instead of barbaric prisoners for the Xenomorph’s supper menu. This is a point addressing the film’s story and not Foster’s novelization. So, perhaps it’s safer to just stick to the Foster’s story and a comparison with the film they actually made.Foster saved Alien 3 and gave it new life for this reviewer. Due to its brevity and my surprised enjoyment, I read the novel in one sitting. I wanted to write the review immediately afterward but did not want to come off too much of a “fan boy” while still basking in amazement with a wonderful reading buzz. Now, a few days later, I am still surprised at how much I enjoy the story. I had never been able to connect Ripley to Clemens, the “accidental-homicidal doctor,” or to the queen growing inside of her. Yet, in Foster’s story it finally dawned on me that the apocalyptic-themed maximum-security prison and the newly enhanced Xenomorph, coupled with the queen growing inside the “queen-slayer:” it is a chance for a new beginning and that the slayer and the dragon (Xenomorph) must both be destroyed to prevent the “apocalypse.” Much like Christ, Ripley must defeat evil through death, and later resurrection (the film Alien Resurrection).Superintendent Andrews makes much more sense in the novel, a respecttable prison warden who is scared of Weyland and its massive political-power and not just a jerk who ignores immediate danger to save routine and order. Also, Golik’s developed telepathic connection to the new warrior-drone Xenomorph is fleshed out in the novelization, which is very satisfying for anyone who has read Stephen Perry’s novels. Many assumptions are removed from the film, providing at time obvious answers for certain character motivations but also offering additional dialogue that just helps the film’s plot roll much more smoothly. Comparatively, the novelization is better than the film.A must read for the millions who were disappointed with the film. And having read the novelization, l re-watched Aliens 3: Director’s Cut. I enjoyed it in a way that I have not been able to since first seeing it when I was ten. Do not give up on the Alien series and do not just limit yourself to just the movies Alien and Aliens. There is so much content here and Aliens 3: The Official Movie Novelization really helps to excite readers to go farther and see what really makes these aliens so freaking badass!Originally reviewed for SFBook.com

As in the first two previous Alien books I have read, this third book tells the story in more depth than any movie could ever convey. I enjoyed this book immensely and am very much looking forward to the next installments of the Alien series.

I never received my order, but I have read this before and had lost my original copy. I had originally bought it as a boxed set at a comicon a few years back. It's a great adaptation of the movie and hard to put down once you start reading it.

Saw the movie when it first came out, and was reflection of the depressing times (Recession ) ; and read the book in another depressing time. A good story line that moves quickly.

The mystery is how the alien got board the ship.Surprise Bishop was Human at the end.Good thing Ripley killed the queen inside her( a sad sacrifice)

better than the movie

While this book was better than the film, in my opinion it wasn't the best book in the Alien saga, there's none of the futuristic technology or weaponry as in Alien or its sequel Aliens, just flight lieutenant Ellen Ripley stranded on a desolate prison planet populated by only men and an alien of course. Although as I've said not the best in the series, it's still an interesting and entertaining book, however it you're looking for a technological, high tension blockbuster of a book then don't bother with this because it's not for you, try Alien or better still it's sequel Aliens, both written by the same author, Alan Dean Foster, I read them both before reading Alien 3 and I highly recommend them both. I'm now going to read the fourth in the saga, Alien: Resurrection.

Very good read. Not quite the same as the movie (I suppose it is inevitable one will make the comparison), but worth reading the book just to make the comparison.

Very good book. Differs a bit from the original film version. Alan Dean Foster has a way of writing good Science Fiction that you can get into and yet builds a good plot and interactions. This is no exception. If you liked the Alien series, you'll like this. The story is better than the film and the characters really come into their own.

very good

Really summed up the feel of the film whilst adding depth to the characters. Good description, pacing and horror. A little short perhaps, but it flows well and expands upon the Alien mythology.