Movie Review: Alien Covenant

Alien: Covenant

Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Danny McBride

I waited some time to see Alien: Covenant because I didn’t trust it. As a devoted lover of Alien (1979). The trailers to this film seemed off to me.  It felt less like a stylistic horror movie and more like some generic blockbuster monstrosity.  I decided to get it over with and watch the film. Maybe I would be impressed (wouldn’t be the first time I disagreed with other critics). Sadly, this was not the case.

What I Didn’t Like

Without getting spoiler happy. The film disappoints in many ways. It is meant to be a bridge connecting Prometheus (2012) to Alien.  I suppose it does this well enough, but is executed in a very unsatisfying way.

(Very vague spoilerish warning here. I don’t give details, but I do give away some aspects SOME may find sensitive. This is your warning)

The film very quickly glosses over a lot of events and takes an unusual turn. It fails to answer the questions left over by Prometheus.  The film treks down the Alien lore road. I didn’t need the exposition, i liked the mystery. This ruins that and makes it less scary.

The acting in the film is very average. (With the exception of Fassbender). Most of the characters I didn’t care about aka (Alien Chow).

If you thought the scientists in Prometheus were dumb, these “geniuses” give them a run for their money. Not everyone is a scientist this time around, but some of them are still quite stupid.  (This whole movie could have been avoided with common sense and better reactions under pressure.)

Let’s just be honest, the film has serious pacing issues. (It was boring!) Filled with far more exposition than needed.

Some of the characters get really annoying with their motives and ideas. Like the film loses focus and meanders down a very different path than most expect. (Who wrote this thing?)

This shift in the film is disastrous. It hurts my head to think how someone thought it was a good route to take. How? Why? What?

This film does a fine job trying to ruin Alien and Aliens (1986) even.  The fear from those films suddenly is demeaned.  You may be better off forgetting this film exists for your enjoyment of the others.

What I Did Like

Even though I found Fassbender’s characters to be overtly pretentious. They presented some interesting ideas into the equation. Some philosophical points to ponder and I can appreciate. Also, Fassbender is quite talented, but get a new guy to play a robot sometimes. Give it a rest, Michael!

Much of the visuals were outstanding (a few exceptions). Scott’s ability to work cinematography has almost always been a highlight of any film he creates. This movie is no exception.

Some of the scientific and philosophical aspects of the movie were interesting. I can respect the film for making an attempt. (Just wish it did in a far different fashion.)

Conclusion:

Alien:Covenant is filled with flaws, but not without beauty.  If you are a fan of Prometheus and you like additional lore no matter where it leads.  You may like this film. However, if you are like me and like Alien  and Aliens along with a sense of mystery in your fear/tension, this movie is likely going to disappoint. I know for me it is going down as the most disappointing film of 2017 to date.

The Ladder (Alien/Predator Franchise)

Alien (1979)

Aliens (1986)

Predator (1987)

Alien v Predator (2004)

Predators (2010)

Predator 2 (1990)

Prometheus (2012)

Alien 3 (1993)

Alien Resurrection (1997)

Alien; Covenant (2017)- A disappointing new venture in a franchise that maybe needs to end. I didn’t have fun and I was far more bored/annoyed than scared/anxious.

Alien vs Predator: Requiem (2007)

 

Movie Critic/ Fan Scores

IMDb: 6.9 of 54,000 ratings  (Much too high)

Rotten Tomatoes- 71%  (Again, too high.) 6.4/10 (Getting closer) 62% of audiences liked it. (Surprising it was as high as this.)

I’m not adding the trailer, but I really wouldn’t want to give you the idea that you should watch this film.