In the distant future, a cyborg, Raj (William Wisher) and a human woman, Laurie (Margaret Umbel), are on the hunt for a new home for humanity. Stumbling into a giant space craft, the pair are attacked by a giant metallic sentry.
Made by James Cameron as a calling card for Hollywood, Xenogenesis now reads like a statement of intent.
There are so many details, from themes to design elements to specific shots, that feel like Cameron's mood. board for his future films.
Even the presence of William Wisher (co-writer of Terminator 2) as one of the lead characters feels like an unintentional in-joke.
The film opens on a series of paintings (drawn by JC) while a narrator sets up the world of the film, and then we are introduced to Wisher's character exploring the empty corridors of a massive ship they have discovered.
The production design of the space ship reminded me of Disney's Black Hole (released a year later). Even though the image is really grainy, it is remarkable how impressive the setting looks. Long dark corridors stretch into the distance while Wisher tiptoes past a massive metallic abyss. While we only get a taste of it, the production design does feel like Cameron is taking some inspiration from the worn, used aesthetic popularised by Star Wars. I wish he had had an opportunity to expand Xenogenesis into a feature.
And then the robot sentry shows up: big, black, with mantis-like claws and metallic tank treads. It is like the unholy spawn of one of the Hunter-Killer tanks from Terminator and the Alien Queen from Aliens.
AND THEN Wisher's colleague (Margaret Umbel) shows up operating a massive robot spider ala Ripley in Aliens and the two metallic titans get to punch-up just like You Know What (I feel a bit self-conscious pointing all these things out because they are really obvious influences on his later work).
The fight is pretty simple when you break it down, but the effects work is fantastic and Cameron frames and shoots the dueling with a sense of depth and perspective that makes it feel more epic and intense.
It is so good, I was eager to see where the story went. It also made me want to revisit Cameron's films, which I have not done in years.
Xenogenesis does not boast much of a story, but as a showcase for Cameron's direction and technical skills, it is great. There is also something sad about watching this, and knowing that Cameron is currently working on four Avatar movies. He has made enough money to do whatever he wants, but I do wish he would be more prolific. This is more wish fulfilment but I do wonder what his films would have looked like if he had not had the benefit of ballooning budgets and improving technology.
It is a curio, but if you are a fan of Cameron, or home-made move-making, Xenogenesis is worth a look.
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