Review: Alien: Covenant

(imdb.com)

When Prometheus was first released, diehard fans of the original Alien films questioned the prequel's expanded mythology and the director Ridley Scott's story, but between the film's critical and commercial successes, the train continued onward with ease. So when it was announced that the sequel to Prometheus, titled Alien: Covenant, would return the series to its roots, while answering questions opened by Prometheus, audiences, fans and critics collectively rejoiced. Trailers and a strong marketing campaign portraying the film as a colonization effort gone wrong, only built the excitement surrounding the film and now released, all of the promises made seem to have been fulfilled.

Perfectly balancing horror with action and tying in aspects of both the classic Alien franchise with the deeper more drama-based Prometheus, Alien: Covenant is a thrilling non-stop adventure of seismic proportions. Tense and explosive, Covenant wastes little time setting the stage. The film follows a spaceship crew headed toward a planet in hopes of colonization, only to discover a signal on a previously unnoticed planet. Upon inspection, the crew meets more than they bargain for and the film quickly devolves into horrific chaos.

Alien: Covenant stars Katherine Waterson (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) as Daniels, the stunning and worthy Sigourney Weaver of the film, and Michael Fassbender (Assassin's Creed) reprising his as a Weyland Corps android, this time named Walter. The film also includes Billy Crudup (Spotlight) as first mate, Oram, and Danny McBride (Vice Principals) as the ship's pilot, Tennessee. Additionally, Carmen Ejogo (The Purge: Anarchy) and Amy Seimetz (The Killing) play biologist and Oram's wife, Karine, and lander pilot, Maggie, respectively. The film is then rounded out by a pretty fantastic and robust cast of cannon fodder characters that other than an online prologue are nearly nonexistent.

Alien: Covenant is a truly impressive endeavor. Featuring some fantastical visuals and special effects, the movie is captivating; offering some amazingly fiendish and terrifying aliens, sprawling forests and some futuristic technology that are sure to make sci-fi fans' heads spin. All of this is then topped with awesome costuming and some intense explosions and fight sequences. Covenant also benefits greatly from the notably good cast. No matter the size of the role, it's clear that each actor is invested and prepared for their character's fate.

Throughout the film, small flaws barely dent the gleaming exterior of Covenant. Aspects of the film - like a final act twist - can be easily picked up on, but are ultimately forgivable due to the impeccable execution. Even the gratuitous bloodshed is done in such a way that'll engross, rather than disgust the viewer. The film's plot is also nearly airtight; seamlessly tying in Prometheus, even if somewhat abrupt. Covenant is able to overcome all of these hurdles given its popcorn-munching, blockbuster action and its lightning-quick pace.

Alien: Covenant is terrifically retro. Its ability to capture the spirit of classic sci-fi films and modernize it in such a way that makes it even scarier is nearly unparalleled. It's the type of seismic movie that can tout its own horn because it offers so much. It' brims with action and fantastical elements and by its end, viewers should be completely satisfied. 8 out of 10.