Thank You Ridley For Sharing Your Latest Creation With Us

Rating: 9/10 (20 May 2017)

Before the "haters" of Alien Covenant jump on this post in complete disagreement, please take a deep breath and try to untangle yourself from any preconceptions you may have towards the film you just saw. This is Ridley Scott on all 12 cylinders, unfiltered and unapologetic. Alien Covenant is high octane science fiction, like drinking a gallon of Red Bull. Beyond the adrenaline pace of the film, Covenant is artistic, disturbing, provocative, unrestrained, bursting with intelligence, meaningful aesthetics, philosophy, kindness, curiosity, life, death, and the concept of violent, perfect organisms, challenging our quest for human immortality.
All that, and, of course, the anticipated reemergence of particularly aggressive, highly menacing, Alien life.
Beautifully filmed we see layer upon layer of Ridley's vision unfold, and from the stunning opening scenes, you immediately grasp that Ridley has skillfully resurrected flashes of his visually haunting films like Blade Runner and Gladiator, weaving these elements into the essential dark themes of the collective Alien franchise. And it works, indeed, it works extremely well.
Without leading you (the reader) into any significant spoilers, allow me to report that Alien Covenant is, without question, a very intense film, from the opening sequence, to the final moments before the credits roll. The acting is wonderful, believable, with vulnerable characters that convey what it must be like to have to deal with fear at close range (Danny McBride as the Covenant's Captain delivers a surprisingly touching performance). The story line is complex, and it would be useful to revisit Ridley's Prometheus before seeing Covenant as the two films are fairly intertwined. Not surprisingly, Alien Covenant is loaded with over the top creature effects, Xenomorphs, Face Huggers, and an array of new aliens, all of them visually beautiful and disturbing. Some of the scenes are extraordinarily graphic, so leave the kids at home with a sitter.
My advice to those who have not yet seen Alien Covenant, come with an open mind and an equally open heart. And for those who feel this film didn't quite match up with your expectations, perhaps you need to give it a second viewing. I'm already looking forward to Scott's next installment. I praise this lone wolf filmmaker for providing another work of art that left me hungry for more of this dynamic and entertaining space drama. And Please Ridley, be generous with "extras" on the Blue Ray and DVD release. You've truly taken us where "No man has gone before" (and in reality we wouldn't ever want to go "there" in person no matter what futuristic weaponry you generously provide us).
Ripley's 1979 "Alien" touted the phrase, "In space, no one can hear you scream." In the iPic theater last night there were all kinds of muffled screams and sudden yelps, so if you are a genuine fan of the Alien franchise you're going to thoroughly enjoy this newest entry. Ridley's bold follow up to Prometheus is perfectly executed, and but for a few uncharacteristic plot holes, you will find yourself discussing Alien Covenant long after you've left the theater.