Jeff's Reviews

Thoughts on every movie I've ever seen.

Alien: Covenant (2017)

Directed by Ridley Scott

Starring Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride

Author

A nice continuation of the Prometheus story, and a really good opportunity to continue the story further. Would love for Scott to tie things up with one more film to complete the trilogy. I know I’m in the minority here, with most critics and viewers destroying this film.

Yes, sloppy writing almost spoils things. Like in Prometheus, the crew just seems so nonchalant about everything. They hear a transmission of human voices and find an Earth-like planet, and nobody misses a beat. They seemingly fly directly into a hurricane with a small craft when there is seemingly a lot of sky that is clearer. After landing, they recklessly explore this new world with guns but no other protective gear. They somehow open the hatch knowing that the air is breathable and free of contaminants and pathogens. They discover alien plant life that resembles Earth’s, but only a passing comment is made and no precautions are taken when coming into contact with it. How does David know Walter’s access codes at the end? I don’t understand how a veteran storyteller like Ridley Scott lets a lot of these things slip through the cracks.

Despite all this, I was entertained. The visuals, effects, and suspense are really well done. The characters and aliens and tension are wonderfully creepy. And the deeply religious themes make the film more thoughtful than many give it credit for.

Waterston was good, but I felt like we needed a star in the lead, or at least a recognizable face. Rebecca Ferguson was considered for the role of Daniels. Too bad, she would have been perfect. Crudup exudes a nervous energy almost as intense as Jeremy Davies. He’s uncomfortable to watch. Fassbender is fantastic as the two synthetics, easily the most engaging characters. The scenes where he interacts with himself are exquisite. 
McBride is great, who knew he could do drama?

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