I blame myself... I got my hopes up

Rating: 6/10 (17 June 2012)

This review is not so much a way to influence people's opinions about this movie, but more of a way for me to vent. (Btw, I have seen core of the Alien movie series, but am not basing my review off it's connection, but as a stand alone)
First the positives! The musical score was without a doubt the most sweepingly intrinsic score in a movie I have heard in a long, long time. The low tones and rich depth just make you want to stare out at the stars and wonder. Bravo!
Michael Fassenbender was amazing. He was the most interesting character in the film and created such a great persona, (despite the weak dialog he was given and the plot holes he had to keep jumping over along with his fellow actors). The monotoned delivery of his lines and the manner in which he carried himself was beautifully subtle. He really reigned back his emotions which made him so untouchable and rather chilling.
The effects: the creatures, makeup and cg was top notch. The best cg is when you don't think about it, it just blends into the movie without dominating it, and this film succeeded. The makeup, except for Guy Pearce who looked like a poorly painted prune, was great. The white aliens were simple and elegant in look and design, and not like many aliens that go for an over the top, complicated, silly look.
The visuals of landscapes,setting, and cinematography were at times breathtaking. However, here is where I really begin the critique: The scenes were so quick I was never granted enough time to fully appreciate them and take it all in. I'm curious if there is one complete scene that lasts more than 3 seconds before it cuts to another (except for the rather superfluous stretched out scene of a ship/shooting star flying through space).
Also, what was with the dialog? Conversations between characters (there were too many characters and therefore weren't given enough time to be developed) was pointless. Why not fill moments with character development instead of non-plot progressing, cheap dribble? I didn't care if a character lived or died because I never got to know them! When will Hollywood learn the order of important: #1, interesting characters. #2, interesting, coherent plot. 3#, thought-out dialog. So long as you have these 3 in order we won't be critical of anything else!
The plot: simply put... full of holes. Now I'm more forgiving of sci-fi films when it comes to having mystery and unanswered questions in a story. But when you leave the film with more questions then answers there's a problem. There were too many loose ends and unexplained or unreasoned elements that chopped up the flow. It's almost like, as an audience, we weren't let in on the joke, and not allowed the "ah ha!" moment. We weren't gently lead through the plot, but forced along on a nonstop ride that lead down multiple paths to... nowhere.
So, while I expected this film to be added to the lofty ranks of sci fi brilliance as a mind bending, thrilling work, what I got was a sensory pleasing, yet confused film about humans and aliens.