Review of Alien: Covenant (2017) by Grant R — 31 May 2017

Making a triumphant return like the prodigal son to the Alien franchise, director Ridley Scott sought to expand the series that helped catapult him to the Hollywood elite with 2012s ambitious Prometheus-a film that posed many questions about who we are and where do we come from-questions that should be admired that a huge studio franchise known for creepy creatures and dark hallways (although it still had these) was able to pose.

Although the journey was convoluted, there was much to admire with a great cast (including a remarkable performance from Michael Fassbender), gorgeous sets and some stunning cinematography-signifying that Scott still had a lot to offer to the franchise that he helped engineer.

The entire experience wasn't completely fulfilling but Scott ensured us that answers would be given and a new journey would soon be on course and said journey is 2017s Alien: Covenant-a disappointing sequel/prequel that lacks the confidence, storytelling and intrigue that once made this franchise so great to begin with.

While Prometheus had "Alien DNA", Scott made the bold decision to not feature that biomechanical, nightmare inducing monstrosity and rather focus on introducing new creatures and lay down a new mythology but with Alien: Covenant, the veteran director seems to have gotten cold feet and go back to his comfort zone, ultimately scrapping the best parts to his 2012 prequel and essentially making a like-for-like remake of his 1979 original.

The plot beats are the same, the locations are (relatively) the same and that thing that runs amok in the dark is the same but the difference between Scott's original classic and this is one major factor; laziness.

Scott is aware his audience know what certain things are in his movie universe, even though his characters don't (like what happens when someone looks at an alien egg) and instead of fear it results in boredom as his characters come off like counselors at Camp Crystal Lake just waiting to be picked off one by one.

It's frustrating how stupid everything results to be, especially when countered with some (interesting) Prometheus leftover ideas (in which Michael Fassbender gives another good, if flawed, performance) essentially making the entire film a topsy-turvy ride of tone and engagement.

With no real characters to relate to (or like), no real thrills to enjoy (as everything is telegraphed) and no real enjoyment to be had (due to a going through the motions script by John Logan and Dante Harper), even Ridley Scott's keen visual sensibilities can't save the distress calls heard from Alien: Covenant-a wasted and disappointing film.