Hi all,
Long time lurker, first time poster. Just came back from watching Covenant and feel compelled to write a quick review.
Quick preface:In my book Alien is a masterpiece and Aliens is one of my top 5 most enjoyable movies. Alien 3 has some nostalgic resonance with me but it doesn't compete with the first two. I was more hyped for Prometheus than any other movie in my life so far. That first leaked camera recorded trailer had me in tears of joy. Obviously it ended up having huge issues with the pacing, editing, and acting (imo) but by far the biggest disappointment personally was the implication that the Space Jockey was human-like. I don't mind the Engineers in themselves but I still hold out hope that the Space Jockey race are God to the Engineers and other like them (such as in Covenant) and that a segment of Engineers (as seen in Prometheus) stole the fire of creation and made Humans. After seeing this movie I still believe this may happen.
So a few tidbits of thought that are stuck in my mind after seeing the film:* The effects and shots are incredible for the most part. Don't really need to talk much about what worked as the vast majority of it was amazing.
* The parts that failed for me were a few shots of the creatures which were video game worthy not film. That said, most shots of the alien were better than expected and that I had seen before in promos. Also, I wish the alien vision later in the film was removed.
* Pacing was great and is
including the final act. No problems for me and this was my main concern going in after reading the early reviews. Felt balanced.
* Lead-up to the planet was enjoyable and reminded me of Alien. Gave me a chance to get a feeling for the characters before the action. It felt real unlike Prometheus' corny and overly scripted interactions.
* Loved the look of the planet itself. Somehow pristine but 'off' at the same time.
* Acting was superb all the way around. I genuinely liked or appropriately disliked all the characters, especially Walter, David, Oram, and Tennessee. Daniels was also very good and
not a Ripley clone. Everyone really pulled their weight which is so refreshing after Prometheus in which I strongly disliked every character including David (who is much much better here). Not saying any of it was Oscar nomination worthy (apart from maybe David) but it was very effective.
* Soundtrack was superb.
The following points contain storyline spoilers:
Spoiler
* Backbursting scene was brilliant and I got a huge adrenaline spike from it. Just wow. Real weight to it.
* That level is almost immediately raised another notch with the Neomorph attach in the field, which was the best scene for me. It was just so vicious and conveyed the creature's power and unnatural aggression. I could feel the panic and confusion. Some guy gets his jaw whipped off like nothing.. People getting mauled and torn apart... Seeing Walter try to defend Daniels and having his arm chewed off... No time to think... This scene had me shivering in bliss. The alien gfx was particularly good here, probably because it was so rapidly cut.
* Short breather in the Temple to gather breath then Ridley starts slowly turning the screw again.
* Hate to be morbid but the gore... In addition to the obvious burster and mauling scenes... Female carcass in the water being eaten... Autopsied body... Walter-David-flute... Disturbing.
* Again, loved Fassbender's acting. Razer sharp and unhinged.
* Shower scene music was fine. Heard some people complain that it was corny. It would have been if it was soundtrack rather on their radio. It served it's purpose which was to drown out the distant alarms.
That's a far as I'll go with specifics. Seriously don't ruin it for yourself if you haven't seen it. I'm not saying there are any revelationary twists or anything, as by this point of watching you will probably already know what is going to happen, but I'm glad I only knew basic script outline up until the backburster scene.
In summary, I just loved the whole feel to this movie. The decrepit dampness, the foreboding, the panic, the torment...
Score:Divided my rating into two; technical and personal. Reason being that a movie can be appreciated but not 'liked' like.
Technical execution: 8.5/10
Personal resonance: 9.5/10
Overall: 9/10
So on the Alien spectrum:
Alien (10/10)>>
Covenant=Aliens>>>>>>>>Alien3>>>>>>Prometheus>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Everything else Alien/AVP.
Yes, that's right. It is equal to Aliens in my mind. If the creature effects felt more 'practical' then it would surpass Aliens. Maybe I've just seen Aliens too many times haha. So I am very happy. I came in expecting something on Prometheus' level and got a whole lot more. It was just a great night at the cinema. Of course, I have some serious concerns about the direction Ridley is taking the mythology but I still see a way forward that respects the all sides. Time will tell.
