Wednesday 17 May 2017

Film: 'Alien - Covenant'

None of the 'Alien' sequels comes even close to the standard of the original 1979 film which many consider to be a 'classic', although I have reservations even with that one. (Brilliant up to and including that event, though after that, despite some effectively suspenseful moments, nothing could compare with the first 'shock' .) 

I have no such doubts about 'Covenant' - it's substandard. The mystery is why did Ridley Scott bother? He must have needed a substantial cash injection which, to be frank, looks like this film is providing. It's a mish-mash of re-visiting situations of the previous films. I'm sure the writers were thinking "We must have a bit of this....oh, and a bit of that......and oh, yes, and we mustn't forget when this has to happen......". And to add to its unoriginality, there's a lumbering, over-wordy script involving a philosophical explanation of the situation, totally futile in trying to explain a storyline that was far too complicated for me to comprehend. Most of these dreary lines (but also including quoting Percy Bysshe Shelley, for crying out loud!) come from two very humanoid, identical robots, both played by Michael Fassbender, usually speaking to each other - only one is a goodie and the other one not. (Ah, but will the latter ever be posing as the other? Guess!)
Apart from Fassbender, the only other name in the cast I recognised was Billy Crudup. (There were also at least two other uncredited appearances, both of whom I recognised.)

It's the 21st century, and parent space ship 'Covenant' is on its way to inhabit a certain distant planet, carrying hundreds of 'passenger-colonisers' and a score or so of crew, all in cryogenic sleep while one of the robots (the 'goodie') watches over the ship's journey. An event wakes up the crew well in advance of ETA (sound familiar?) which needs correction and while they're awake they pick up a mysterious signal from a nearby world and (would you believe it!) a ship is sent to investigate, on a planet which this time is so conveniently earth-like that even breathing apparatus can be dispensed with. 
It'll hardly be a revelation to know that the denizens of this world include hostile beings, feeding on and incubating inside living flesh (thereby making robots immune) and dispatching these human host-visitors one by one in grisly fashion. About half this overlong film is set on this odd world but the grand finale returns to the mothership.

The big and many moments of conflict and confrontation are well-designed and presented, though I didn't get the sense we got throughout the original 'Alien' film of a small, diminishingly surviving crew being locked in a confined space, and sometimes trying to flee an unwanted alien on board.

I felt early on that this latest film badly needed some judicious editing. There's so much unnecessary flab which slows down the story - and that story is so involved that we need spectacle to take our minds off it.

I've seen the original film several times and it still holds up. 'Aliens' I've seen just the once but wouldn't mind sitting through again. As for the rest of them they were strictly to be seen one time only, and 'Covenant' fits with no trouble into this precise category..............5. 

10 comments:

  1. You should have gone to see The Salesman
    It sounded better

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    1. I think you're right, J.G., but this was one of those 'must see' films 'cos everyone else will have seen it. Anyway, it's done and dusted now.

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  2. I too like the original, and thank you for your recount. I wondered what exactly the storyline would be. I do believe I will wait for a dvd release and then when it's in the $4.99 bin. Can't go wrong then, and with a bowl of popcorn. Sometimes movie don't need a sequel, or a rebooted update. I find they just sink in some cases.

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    1. A lot of this film smacked of desperation in including just about everything so as not to disappoint fans of the full range of original + sequels. It's just too 'big' for its own good, though I daresay that those who went looking for visceral but shallow thrills will have got their money's worth.
      It will look even less memorable on the small screen as the combat stuff will inevitably appear less overwhelming and less of an impact than on a good sized cinema screen. But unless one is a true aficianado of all the 'Alien' films I cannot honestly recommend it.

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  3. What a treasure you are Ray. Your reviews are so well written and informative. I didn't see the original "Alien"but will now based on your comments. May not see this sequel though. I hate these "inject some more money I my bank account" films.
    Ron

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    1. You really must see the original, Ron - and be prepared to grip the armchair sides and gasp! All the sequels, even when directed by Ridley Scott who was also responsible for the first, don't come anywhere near it. Trouble is people still go and see them - and I'm just another of the guilty millions.

      I'm really flattered (once ore) by what you say about my reviews, but although I don't doubt your sincerity I'm just amazed that you think highly of them, when I do NOT. I think they're poorly constructed, and not well worded - and I continue to be envious of other reviews I see which are much more concisely delivered while being considerably more comprehensive than mine are. I tell you that I sometimes blush with embarrassment if I re-read some of them, something I prefer to avoid. But, it's views like yours that keep me going when I'm increasingly thinking I'll just stop - which I won't do quite yet, though I don't think that day will be far off. But I really am grateful for what you say. So thanks - genuinely!

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  4. I loved the first one and have always wondered why anyone felt the need to more unless $$$$$$

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    1. It's pretty well impossible to top the original, Bob, so why oh why do they keep trying? Well, you've delivered the answer yourself.

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  5. I too fond Alien a splendid version of "Slaying the Monster'. Jolly good fun!

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    1. It was quite an exceptional film, Dr Spo. They can try and try to top it but they never will - so why don't they just STOP!

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