The Horror Show
Alien: Covenant
by Ridley Scott
While I could probably write a ten-page paper on why Ellen Ripley is one of the greatest characters of all time, this review needs to pertain to the new Alien film in the franchise, and sadly, Sigourney Weaver’s fabulous character has yet to exist in the prequel timeline.
Right off the bat, I’ll tell you one thing for sure, Alien: Covenant does not disappoint. As a huge fan of the franchise, this one satisfies in storytelling, horror, gore, and quality. A star-studded cast with familiar faces helps the film to be even more entertaining and I enjoyed everyone’s performance throughout, especially Michael Fassbender in his double role as both androids in the film, David and Walter.
Like Prometheus before it, the film explores creationism and evolution and continues to ask important questions as well as answering a few, but still leaving many mysteries in its midst. Mild spoiler ahead… in case you ever wondered about where the xenomorphs came from, trust me, you’ll have your answer by the end of the film!
As far as plot goes, the events of this film take place about a decade after Prometheus and roughly eighteen years before the original Alien. The crew of a colonization vessel called Covenant are headed into deep space toward a new planet for our species. Along the way, a tragedy occurs leaving the crew devastated and shortly after, they receive a strange signal from a nearby planet that is strikingly similar to Earth. The crew decide to check it out, and like all great Alien films, horrible things ensue.
What was so great about this film was how clean it was. The cinematography and score were perfect and there are several throwbacks to the original 1979 score throughout. The build up to the final events of the film never left me bored or wanting. The only negative thing I can say is that like most plotlines that include clones or doppels, the ending was quite predictable. That doesn’t mean it was any less satisfying, I just rooted so hard for our leading lady, Daniels (Katherine Waterston), that I didn’t want her fate to be anything short of perfect. I think it’s also worth mentioning that Daniels is a nice parallel to, but no one will ever be, Ellen Ripley.
In conclusion, whether you’re a fan of the Alien franchise or not, I think horror fans will genuinely enjoy this smart film. I could literally go on for hours about how Ridley Scott has, for decades upon decades, delivered fans fiction that is not only entertaining but thought provoking. He has done it again with Alien: Covenant and I genuinely look forward to the third installment in this prequel trilogy.
Stevie Kopas, HMS
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