Let down by the writing

Rating: 4/10 (3 June 2012)

This is an average film made less than average when you add the expectations of a great director, a promising story arc and a talented cast.
It isn't all bad, mainly due to Ridley Scott's flair for direction but I have to say I'm surprised he accepted to make the film based on that script. It feels written by someone lacking experience; there are ideas of grandeur without depth, sub plots abandoned, stock characters and some of the worst dialogue I have been subjected to at the cinema. Without Ridley behind the camera creating the visuals he did, I would have walked out.
THE PROS: Few unfortunately. Michael Fassbender - An excellent character (maybe I am overstating as this was the only well written character in the film. I think a lot of that may be due however to Fassbender's performance). I like that all of David's actions are not explained, but hinted at. Visuals and effects - As expected - excellent. The abortion sequence - Brilliantly filmed and well acted. Apart from the opening (and the storm to some extent), the only real good set piece in the film.
THE CONS: Too many for a film of this calibre. Ridley Scott - He is a powerful presence in Hollywood and should have demanded better from the script. There was a severe lack of tension and suspension in this film, instead the later scenes felt rushed, rather than built up. Damon Lindelof - This is the major con. The film is brilliant right up to the point of meeting the crew. The crew are given minimal (and clichéd) dialogue to interact to give the audience a sense of their character and relationships. This is all done with no sub text. Motivations and actions of the crew go against their supposed backgrounds and some are clearly convoluted to enhance plot or a set piece. (Come here baby. I won't hurt you. AAARRGHHH). An attempt to create an original story within the 'Alien' universe - failed, primarily due to being unsure of which part of the story to tell and which parts to explain to enhance the experience. (I'm not a fan of having things explained in films; the best part about this film being David's actions with unclear motivation; but what happened to those snake like beings and what is their effect? Turning humans into zombies? This will tie in at some point... oh no, it doesn't and almost feels random in regard to the rest of the story. Climax - Rushed and disappointing. A revelation that a superior race is about to destroy Earth and mankind, over within minutes with no suspense. Also, once Charlize Theron escaped from the pod and was running with Noomi Rapace away from the alien craft, I was just waiting for her to get crushed by it. This was in standing with the rest of the film, predictable and flat. Guy Pearce - Who did his make up? I laughed out loud when he was first revealed. (And a couple of times in his later scenes - it was comical). Last scene - A rushed birth of the 'original' xenomorph.
7 films now in the 'Alien' universe and it's the first two; made over 30 years ago with much more limited FX technology; that are the standouts.