Review of Alien: Covenant (2017) by Sevenoftwo — 18 May 2017

Like Alien and Prometheus, this film focuses on the tragic outcome of a space expedition. In many ways, views should know precisely what to expect from this film: it's a hybrid of Prometheus and Alien. It includes some thoughtful questions about life and finding meaning as well as alien monsters and action. Although every Alien film has included horror aspects, this film seemed to emphasize the horror atmosphere and tone more than previous movies. I felt that it balances and continues the themes of Prometheus and Alien well, while also having a unique identity.

Characters: Strong acting and writing. This is a story about a group of people instead of a story about one person. Think about the difference between Alien and Aliens - the first was about a group and the second was about one character who had interactions with a group. People who tried to focus on a single protagonist in this film seem to be disappointed.

Story: Many elements of the story will be familiar to viewers. There are some new twists, but for the most part you'll know what to expect if you're aware of this genre. Still, the story is satisfying and contributes to the larger Alien universe while also include a few shocking moments.

Sound/Visual effects: The more you're aware of the music of Prometheus and Alien, the more you'll enjoy this soundtrack. The music is largely derived from those previous films and is appropriately evocative. The visual design and effects were breathtaking, I saw no problems.

Final thoughts: I highly recommend this movie if you like sci-fi, horror, or both. Particularly if you are a fan or Prometheus or Alien, this is a must-see. In my opinion, the Alien movies typically struggle in two places: the opening, which can go on far too long without action, and the ending, which can seem too final and lack a feeling of potential continuation. For the first time, I thought that an Alien movie had a strong beginning, middle, and ending. This movie expertly expands on the idea of what an Alien is and what can be done in the franchise.