It's no Alien, but thankfully no Prometheus.

Rating: 7/10 (2 June 2017)

This movie has a lot of expectation weighing heavy on its shoulders. With a high benchmark standard to hit of the original Alien movie and a woeful attempt to avoid in Prometheus where does this movie lie? Firstly we should cast our minds to the original movie. Well directed, well written, superbly acted and filled with subtle touches to validate the scene, the scenario and the journey. Alien is one of the all time greatest sci-fi movies ever made. It is a hard act to follow, or in this case precede so to speak. Prometheus, although carried by an amazing cast, the same gifted director and visual wonders to keep the eye entertained, had none of those things we loved about the original. Despite players of the highest standard, the script seemed contrived and the direction seemed lazy. It was almost as if the script was just thrown at the actors and Scott shot the movie in one take. For me, it didn't flow and to be honest wasn't very believable or genuine. Considering that all sci-fi fans extend their beliefs for such journeys the least the writer can do is base their conversations on words what would actually be exchanged in real life. The exchanges seemed clichéd and flimsy. So much so that they made Independence Day look like a real-time documentary in comparison. A real shame considering some of the truly amazing people involved. It's a safe guess that if you liked Prometheus you will love Covenant. If you were sadly disappointed with Prometheus however, its going to be a closer call to make. Is this movie as good as Alien? No. But then perhaps no movie ever could be. Is it better than Prometheus? Absolutely. Although there are scenarios seen in other movies, and lets face it, it's very hard to make an original movie these days especially in a specific genre, this movie moves long nicely and believably. The cast, just as with Prometheus are awesome. This time however, they are armed with a script that avoids inflicting moments of cringe and is backed up with some nice back stories and history. It sets the scene well and allows us to slide into the journey with more investment. The direction too is also more closely guarded I feel. There are no conversations that make you ponder 'why they are in the movie?' or ask yourself 'Who talks like that?'. They have avoided poorly written character building or plot supporting scenes and have just plodded along assuming you have an IQ higher than 85 (its always nice when the movie maker has faith in the viewer). This movie will do Michael Fassbener's reputation no harm at all. He is even more creepy than in Prometheus and has an underlying nastiness that is hard not to like. One wonders if his skills weren't so great would the story of this movie have been written the way it has. That is to say, these movies seem to be written one after the other, as if trying to find out what works like a comedian on improv night rather than having a set path. Granted I like Fassbender and hope to see more, but that's the point. It does have a sense of making it up as they go along. The handling of the extension and ultimate conclusion of the last story is done a little too swiftly for my liking. It was as if they wrote this story and had to insert a few lines about the previous movie to cover themselves and get it out of the way. If what happened is what they are saying happened, that would be a movie all in itself. I felt a little robbed in that regard. Perhaps I'm nit- picking. So the script is better, the acting is better, the direction is better and the story flows more believably, so where does it fail? Well, to be frank. It's been done before. There was nothing new here. There was a revisit to the tension and suspense of Alien (awesome). There was a continuation of the last story (awesome). There was more David (awesome). But there was nothing new. There was not much movement in the story of the Giants. Sure the story handles creation from the Walter and David point of view which, while thought provoking was already played on in Prometheus. I feel I watched a prequel to the next movie in this franchise. Like I have been set up for yet another movie that will fail to live up to expectation. Incidentally, the ending is painfully predictable. But again, and hats off to Scott, it is directed well enough for you to question your suspicions. Also, and I'm really sad to say and don't quote me, but I was disappointed in some of the CGI. I will have to wait for the blu-ray to be sure, but some of the xeno attack scenes well, quite frankly reminded me of lesser movies. I must stress that I'll have to examine these scenes further in the comfort of my own home to confirm disappointment. So all in all, It's no Alien but thankfully no Prometheus. Go watch and enjoy.