Good but not an Alien movie

Rating: 5/10 (10 January 2019)

Alien movies are usually at their core, horror movies. The first movie was basically an inescapable haunted house with a monster chasing you. Over time there has been a background mythology build up but it remains primarily a horror movie.
This does not fit that mold. Much of what we see does not fit the mythology as we know it. It has more in common with the Island of Doctor Moreau than previous Alien movies. That's the only way to explain all the Alien variations.
Having said that, if you watch the movie as a science fiction movie not related to the Alien franchise then it is not bad. Falling somewhere between a B and A quality movie.
The first act is good basic sci-fi while the second has some elements of that. The main act is the mad scientist but the finale is telegraphed far too much ahead.
The main plot flows although somewhat convoluted. Sadly many of the minor plot points make no sense. Many of the decisions made by what would have been a hand-picked crew make no sense. The new Captain is basically incompetent. Hard to have ever pictured him as a senior officer anywhere. The people who look to be trained soldiers are anything but trained. No logical processes that we would use today like carrying med kits, using protective gear with an unknown pathogen, no quarantine. A space pilot and mechanic who comes across tough in one scene only to panic in another and start shooting in her own ship which blows it up.
The acting was only passable for most of these folks. Hard to feel sympathy for any of them. Most could not bring across a performance that matched their role. I wouldn't follow any of those in command anywhere. The exception is of course
Michael Fassbender. Whenever he was in a scene then it was something worth watching..
If you go into this as a non-Alien movie then it is okay to watch once. As an Alien movie, it is just bad and doesn't follow any story line continuity.