Positive features dragged down by negatives

Rating: 6/10 (30 March 2018)

This film has much to recommend it for. Visually excellent, as is to be expected. The film nicely fleshes out some elements left obscure from the beginning of the Alien saga, and adds a new direction and dimension of urgency, the "Creators". It feels fresh by not merely adding complications to the end of the saga, as a sequel might, and has done in Resurrection. That said, the film has serious problems. The characters are mostly unconvincing and out of place. The crew of scientists chosen for this important and ambitious mission seem to be far from the cream of the crop, rather like a bunch of immature, irresponsible bungling idiots with behavioral problems. Other crew also show a relaxed attitude to the mission that seems out of place. The plot is somewhat ludicrous. The crew recklessly, repeatedly and consistently ignore the very obvious signs of biohazard, in a rushed approach that is driven by no apparent reason or urgency. What should be serious characters repeatedly skirt discussion of their situation, and rather wander blindly - repeatedly at that - into a threatening situation. Contrast that with the first Alien film, where a crew that should be of a considerably lower caliber carefully appraise their situation before acting. Elizabeth's feats in her medical condition seem unlikely, to say the least. Some characters have problems with motivation, especially David, although that might be resolved in a sequel. Nevertheless, a film worthy of repeated viewing - use local anesthesia for the problematic parts.