THE reaction of fans has been mixed when it comes to the latest Alien film and the general direction the sci-fi series is going in.

But if you are craving for a movie that was inspired by the original Alien and can pull off the ‘in space no one can hear you scream’ scares just as well then Life comes recommended.

Among the main merits of Life is Daniel Espinosa’s direction and the attention to detail he creates aboard a space station.

Six astronauts are studying samples that could provide evidence for extraterrestrial life on Mars and the camera drifts and floats as Espinosa imagines what it would be like working in zero gravity.

The film also saw acclaimed Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick team up with Ryan Reynolds again and the dialogue has a similar zing to it.

That provides the solid foundation for the horror story that follows – with mixed results.

From their samples from the Red Planet, the team led by Miranda North (Rebecca Ferguson) discover a molecule sized life form that is monitored and researched under quarantine protocols.

As you would expect, things turn nasty when the ‘Martian’ – fondly named Calvin – starts to grow and adapt at an alarming rate.

Life is genuinely scary and gripping, with the old but still welcome Alien-style set up, of a team being trapped in space with a monster.

But what spoils the enjoyment to a certain degree is watching the station’s team of highly intelligent scientists making stupid decisions.

To be fair this is a general problem with horrors in general but you should not have to train as an astronaut to know breaking quarantine protocols while dealing with a hostile life form is probably not a good idea.

If you can forgive this then Life is definitely worth sticking with. It might not stretch or defy horror conventions but it is well paced and slick.

RATING: 7/10

DAVID MORGAN