Director Ridley Scott started something great
back in 1979 with his classic hit film Alien. Today it’s still praised by the majority, and
will be for quite some time. Different directors have taken a swing at the
material, with some delivering a worthy sequel continuing the story, while
others had a tougher time. Scott picked things back up in the same universe
with Prometheus (2012), which had mixed reviews, but showcased so
much promise for the future to come. Now the original man behind the camera
wants to ramp things up again, delving back to his roots in the sixth film in the
franchise (not including Alien vs Predator). However, the biggest
mistake in this film is a large one and may bring it all to a halt.
Prometheus was perceived as an entertaining film
with problems. Some viewers considered them large, and others small. Though it
is safe to say there were a large amount of questions left unanswered, but they
might have been answered in the sequel. That was the end take from the finale
in the last film; which is fine as long as you deliver with the next
installment. Alien: Covenant did, but in the most minuscule of ways. The
film fails with the near complete abandonment of what came before. This was
possibly due to the negative responses, but for Scott to have potentially paid
so much attention to such remarks in preparation for the current film, it feels
he had no faith in his original ideas back in 2012. Prometheus ended as if you
were going to learn the secrets of the universe and who may have possibly
created Man, or where we all come from. Instead of addressing the questions,
they’re forgotten just to make another cheap alien movie with characters you
care nothing about.
You really care nothing for these characters in the
slightest. Even if you did for a moment that would deteriorate shortly after due
to their moronic decision-making skills and lack of hustle. No one on the team
obeys orders, which continues to cause deaths, but apparently they didn’t
notice. These are the characters Scott and the writing team wanted us to get a
hold on? In Prometheus, we got to know Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and what
she believed in through her faith. Even with her lover slightly sharing a
difference of opinion, they felt like people. The entire cast did. As I’m
writing this review I remember nothing about anyone, or why the mission was
important. Just weak individuals who choke in the face of danger, throwing any
and all training out of the window. These are supposed to be advanced space
travelers on the brink of discovering whatever your mind can imagine. Yet when times
get rough one character panics beyond belief, which screws the entire mission. The
characters were taken out by clumsiness, rather than aliens, at times. This is
disgusting filmmaking to say the least. Lastly, again, none of the characters
follow orders, and they replace logic with emotion that only sets them further
back.
The decision with the story is possibly the worst
Scott could’ve come up with. For some reason he decided to give the middle
finger to wherever this franchise could go. There’s no happy ending at all.
It’s confusing how bold this move was, because it appears the plot has hit a
brick wall going 1,000 miles an hour with no seat belt. The good guys don’t
always have to win, but the film could’ve at least thought it through. The
highlight of the film came with a hand to hand battle between two foes. Considering
this to be an Alien movie, a vicious sense of disappointment clouds your air.
Having really enjoyed Prometheus, I despise what was
done here. Any interest in what’s to come next has been eradicated with no
possible future to look forward to. There’s a gapping plot hole as big as space
itself, but it’s clear all reason for writing this script has sunk deep within.
Characters are picked off left and right, not using higher judgment; which
leads to a nonstop stupidity fest that is painful to watch. The main problem is
the ending and where the film is headed. It’s shocking this was approved as a
good idea, because it shows no future for where the franchise can go.
3/10