Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Alien: Covenant

To say that “Prometheus,” Ridley Scott’s “Alien” prequel released in 2012, split audiences would be an understatement. Matt Brunson said in his review, “Championed in some quarters for expanding the franchise’s mythology and lambasted in others for being too cerebral, the film was subjected to mixed word-of-mouth and saw its box office plummet after a strong opening weekend.” That’s sad, seeing that the first good movie in the franchise since James Cameron’s magnum opus “Aliens” was released back in 1986.

Maybe thinking about the criticism yet not completely wanting to bring the franchise down more, Scott came back with “Alien: Covenant,” a 2017 movie that puts more action in the midst while also keeping the philosophical part there. Brunson noted, “Ironically, Scott will doubtless still get blasted by the naysayers, since fanboys are sure to gripe about the mixing and matching of styles.” However, more detecting audiences will find this a great experience, and if it consists of some great “Alien/Aliens” moments a little too mindlessly, the same thing happened with the original Lucas movies in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” and that worked out great.

Once again, the crew of a space ship, in this film, Covenant, a ship with two thousand sleeping members to a distant planet ready for civilization, answers a mysterious call originating from an unknown source. Wanting the origin, the crew members, including the tough Daniels (Katherine Waterston), nervous leader Oram (Billy Crudup) and the android Walter (Michael Fassbender), see their on a planet that looks perfectly right for the human race. Then they encounter David, also played by Michael Fassbender, the android from the mission said in “Prometheus.” No major spoilers here, but I’ll tell you we find out what happened with the main character Elizabeth Shaw, what happened with the Engineers and how the Xenomorph aliens will again be put in the middle of this.

Brunson said, “Working in references to Milton, Michelangelo and Percy Shelley’s “Ozymandias” rather than to Marvel, mutants and Depp’s Jack Sparrow, it’s clear that Alien: Covenant isn’t a typical summer blockbuster (and one more reason why confused fanboys will run screaming into the night).” With that said, credit the new team of writers for referencing the character come to fruition by Fassbender in the last film. Brunson said, “David is one of the most complex and fascinating characters in the entire Alien franchise, and most of the story’s existential angst, ironic developments, and role inversions all link back to him. Fassbender again excels in the part, and his double duty in also portraying Walter (a completely different style of replicant) is endlessly intriguing.” Other cast members aren’t really intriguing, however I should say that, against all expectations, Danny McBride plays a character (Covenant pilot Tennessee) who we don’t want to see immediately murdered by the aliens.

When it comes to controlling suspenseful parts, Scott stays on the top of his game, with at least two amazing parts that are directed for the highest payoff. That’s not to say there aren’t some mistakes in here. Brunson said, “The climactic skirmish on top of a moving vessel comes off as overkill, and there’s a plot twist so obvious that even someone with the I.Q. of a slug (or a Trump supporter; take your pick) should be able to figure it out.” However, despite the occasional mistake can’t prevent “Alien: Covenant” from accomplishing its mission as a fun summer entertainment.

I feel like this was in the same vein as “Alien,” where it takes time to develop. At first, it is slow-paced, but does eventually pick up. I’m not sure if I like this over “Prometheus,” but that is debatable. I might say yes, but I would have to re-watch both of them to know for sure. However, I still think this is one that everyone should check out. I’m not going to say this is a great movie, seeing how it is a mess and is all over the place, and I acknowledge that, but it’s the best attempt since the two originals in the franchise.

Now with that said, check in Friday where I talk about the newest installment in the Predator franchise. I’m sorry for posting this late, but I “really” overslept today and had to go to work, so my day was thrown off. Hopefully that won’t happen again so we can continue with “Halloween Month.”

No comments:

Post a Comment