It is not the least of this world’s wonders that it’s been nearly half a century since Ellen Ripley, in the person of Sigourney Weaver, sent the Alien, in the person of a person in an Alien suit, hurtling into space — that place where, according to “Alien’s” immortal tag line, no one can hear you scream — and an afterlife of sequels and prequels and side-quels.

As these things go, the franchise has managed to stay classy through the years, with directors including Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher, Jean-Pierre Jeunet ( “Amélie,” if the name doesn’t ring a bell) taking a swing at it; prestigious casts (notwithstanding the “Alien vs. Predator” offshoot); pricey productions and special effects; and Weaver on board for the first four films, lending the young franchise her personal

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