Alien: Covenant (2017) Review

"I was not made to serve. Neither were you" - David.

I'm one of those rare cinema goers that totally loved Ridley Scott's Prometheus (2012). Set years before his beloved classic Alien (1979), Scott presented an original story that loosely ties into the events of that film. Prometheus told the story of an expedition to discover the origins of humanity, with Noomi Rapace's Elisabeth Shaw serving as our hero. With Prometheus receiving a mixed response from fans, Scott aims to please by having the long-awaited sequel feel more like his original masterpiece, focusing more on horror elements and re-introducing the classic Xenomorph alien. The response to this film has once again been mixed, but I went into it having loved its predecessor, so was greatly anticipating which direction the story would go. So, does Ridley Scott still have what it takes, or is it time to finally lay the franchise to rest?

Setting out on a colonising mission, the crew of the Covenant spacecraft suffer a rude awakening from their long sleep. A blast causes heavy damage and the death of the crew's captain, and so first-mate Oram (Billy Crudup) is forced to take charge. Along with our heroine Daniels (Katherine Waterston) and android Walter (Michael Fassbender), the crew answers a distress call from a nearby planet. As the planet appears just as inhabitable as their original destination, the crew land and soon realise all is not as it seems. Discovering a crashed spacecraft and with some of the crew becoming infected by an alien pathogen, the crew must turn to the planet's only inhabitant for help. Unfortunately, this turns out to be David from the failed Prometheus expedition, and the android has many a dark secret lying in wait for the humans...

I can't help but feel as if Alien: Covenant is the result of a director with a vivid imagination who has been swayed by fan opinion on what kind of film he should make. Earlier this year, I wrote an article as to how the film could serve as a sequel to Prometheus, and stated that questions raised by that film should be answered. However, only a portion of Alien: Covenant feels like the sequel to Prometheus, and even then it ignores some of the questions that I wanted to explore. The entire plot-line of Shaw and David trying to discover why the Engineers wanted to wipe out humanity has been scrapped. Instead, we have a completely new set of characters who coincidentally encounter David on the planet. These new characters are not in any way related to the story established in Prometheus, and only when David shows up does the film actually begin to get interesting. Before his arrival, a lot of time is devoted to the exploration of the planet, which was once the home of the Engineers. Whilst I enjoyed these exploration scenes, the characters themselves are very one-dimensional. We don't get to know their names or personalities too well before things inevitably go awry, and so they aren't very memorable. Whilst the performances of the actors are all good, particularly Katherine Waterston, there isn't much substance for them to work with and at times the dialogue feels very unnatural. This was disappointing to me as although many criticised the characters in Prometheus, I felt they all at least had established personalities and some memorable moments. Here, many of the human characters are quickly killed off before they've said more than a few lines, resulting in not a great deal of emotion from the audience.

Whilst the film lacks a good cast of human characters, what it does have going for it is the pairing of androids Walter and David. Michael Fassbender completely steals the film, creating a clear contrast between these identical characters. Walter, a later model of android, was designed to have his emotional capabilities restricted, something which David has developed at a frightening rate. Seeing himself as superior to humanity, David attempts to convince Walter to abandon his existence as a mere servant. These scenes are easily the highlight of the film, as we delve deeper into David's twisted perception of reality whilst Walter tries in vain to stop him. It is here that the film got me hooked, primarily due to Fassbender's superb dual performance. Overall, I actually felt more emotions towards these two artificial people than the humans as they are far more engaging than any of the other characters. 

Of course the big draw of the film is the return of the classic Xenomorph alien, which was deliberately left out of Prometheus. Featured on the film's posters and having the word "alien" in the title, Ridley Scott was clearly attempting to reassure the fans that this film will tie into the original Alien film in a more direct manner. Before the Xenomorph arrives, however, we are treated to a new monster equally as deadly. This new breed of alien (referred to in the credits as the Neomorph) spawns from several of the Covenant crew after they are infected with the pathogen. I was impressed with the design of the Neomorph, as it closely resembles the Xenomorph whilst also clearly being different due to its lighter skin tone and size. The only downside to the the portrayal of the aliens is the overuse of CGI. I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to CG in films, but it says a lot when the alien effects from 1979 look more convincing than the effects from a film made in 2017. Having the alien jump around and be shown in way too much detail reminded me of their depiction in Alien: Resurrection (1997). And trust me, that isn't a good thing.

The weirdest thing about Alien: Covenant, though, is the inclusion of exclusive scenes uploaded to YouTube prior to the film's release. The two scenes not included in the final cut would have given more depth to the film, with one in particular hinting at the story I wanted to see in the first place. The first exclusive scene features all the members of the Covenant having a final drink together before setting off on their mission. It's the most natural part of their interaction compared to any of the scenes in the final cut, and so this definitely would have helped to make the characters more believable. The biggest offence, however, was to not include the second exclusive clip in the final film. Lasting just over two minutes, the clip depicts Elizabeth Shaw and David's journey to the home of the Engineers, with Noomi Rapace reprising her role. To have Rapace return for only a brief clip and to not even include it in the film is a real disservice to her performance and the character. I cared more about her than any of the new characters in the film, and I'm pretty certain that Ridley Scott originally intended to include her more than in just a cameo in an online clip. This was the film I wanted to see: Shaw and David finding the home of the Engineers, answering the questions left over from Prometheus.

With so much to balance in its two hour run-time, Alien: Covenant feels like a bit of a mess overall. Ultimately, the film is broken down into three completely different acts: an intriguing mystery leading to the crew being attacked by the Neomorph, a ton of exposition explaining what happened after Prometheus, and then a standard conclusion featuring the Xenomorph. For me, it's crazy to think that people bemoaned the Xenomorph not being included in Prometheus because as soon as that thing shows up, Alien: Covenant becomes cliched and predictable. We could have had a more original story, but Ridley Scott appears to have given in to fan demand. That being said, the film is at least well acted and looks stunning, which makes sitting through some of the film's silly moments (like the shower scene shown in the trailer) a little easier. I just wish we could have had a different story that properly follows on from Prometheus. I guess all I can do is hope for a directors cut that makes the film feel like a proper sequel.

What can we expect from Alien: Covenant?

With two fantastic films, two dodgy sequels, two crossover films and a prequel (of sorts), the Alien franchise has seen more than its fair share of highs and lows. Starting in 1979, Ridley Scott's original horror masterpiece introduced audiences to one of the most chilling creatures ever depicted on film, as well as Sigourney Weaver's iconic Ellen Ripley. James Cameron continued the franchise's success in 1986, opting for a more action-packed approach. After Cameron's Aliens, Alien 3 (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997) both failed to live up to expectations. Years later, the franchise combined with the Predator series, spawning two films. Both Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) were both financially successful, but fan and critical reaction was largely negative. In 2012, Ridley Scott returned to the series to direct Prometheus, a film set before the events of Alien but primarily focusing on its own mythology. Now with Scott once again at the helm of the upcoming Alien: Covenant (2017), this article will explore what audiences can expect based on three factors of my choosing: the fan reaction to Prometheus, the look of the film based on the trailer, and Ridley Scott's own sayings as to how his new film links with the rest of the series.

First, I'd like to look at Prometheus, seeing as how it is the latest film in the series to be released. I was really excited to see it back when it came out, especially with Ridley Scott back to direct and to focus solely on the Alien series and not be another crossover. The film follows the crew of the titular spaceship as they explore a distant planet. Archaeologists Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) have discovered a star map leading them to the planet, believing that the planet could hold clues to the origin of the human race. Along with the android David (Michael Fassbender), the crew soon discover a threat in the guise of the Engineers, a humanoid alien race. Shaw and David survive the encounter with the Engineers, and set off to find their home planet to discover why the Engineers intended to destroy humanity.

Critically and commercially, Prometheus was largely successful. However, the film garnered a more mixed response from fans. Whilst universal acclaim was given to the design and performances (in particular Michael Fassbender), elements of the plot were criticised. The main focus of negativity from fans seemed to be aimed at where exactly the film fits into the timeline of the original Alien film. There are references to the aliens and hints towards similar discoveries by the crew, but with some expecting Prometheus to link directly to Alien, people where left confused. The surprise at the end of Prometheus was to see what initially appears to be the first alien, as it closely resembles the creatures from the other films. This creature, known as the Deacon, only appears briefly but makes for an impactful ending to the film. But the Deacon's close resemblance to the other aliens would only generate more confusion. Seeing as Prometheus pre-dates Alien, many initially thought it to be the first alien to have existed, but the film clarifies this isn't the case by depicting statues of the aliens earlier in the film. With the title of the new film clearly stating it to be a closer link to the original Alien, perhaps Alien: Covenant be more like how some fans expected Prometheus to be and straighten out some of the confusions from the first film.

At the end of last year, we finally got our first look at the sequel to Prometheus. Before this, the film had already caught attention by going through a title change. Originally named Alien: Paradise Lost, the new title was revealed to be Alien: Covenant. Like Prometheus, the film takes its title from the name of the spaceship featured in the film. The R-rated trailer begins with a horrific death scene before creating a mysterious atmosphere. We see shots of incredible landscapes as well as dark corridors, and of course a brief glimpse of an alien. Michael Fassbender is also featured in the trailer, as well as several new characters. From this trailer, it appears as though Alien: Covenant will match the look of Alien more than Prometheus, due to the gore and darkness. However, the shots of landscapes and the use of music lean more towards the tone of Prometheus. With this trailer, one can hope that the film feels equally balanced, showing clear direction that not only is this the sequel to Prometheus, but also a more direct prequel to Alien. Check out the trailer for yourselves below:

But how will Alien: Covenant fit in with the next instalments in the series? Ridley Scott has stated that there will be more sequels following on from Alien: Covenant, and intends them to clearly lead into Alien. Seeing as how Alien: Covenant echoes the look of the original Alien and the sequels will eventually take us to the start of that film, where does that leave the established plot points of Prometheus? The focus was initially on the Engineers and Dr. Shaw's journey to discover their home planet, but the trailer has no references to this. Will the Deacon alien be featured in the sequels, or was it just an added surprise at the end of Prometheus? Despite Scott's intentions to the have a closer link to Alien, these elements of the story cannot be ignored, otherwise Prometheus has not much purpose within the story leading into Alien. I am a great admirer of Scott's direction of Prometheus, as it was clearly linked to Alien but also told us a story was hadn't seen before. I just hope he hasn't given in to fan demands of wanting a direct prequel to Alien and tells the story he wants to tell. Whatever the direction of the new film, we don't have long to get our answers, as Alien: Covenant arrives in May...

Predators (2010) Review

"This planet is a game preserve... and we're the game."- Royce.

Following on from the poorly received Alien vs. Predator films (which I'll get round to when covering the other Alien films), it was about time the Predator starred in its own film once again, and a good one at that. This reboot/sequel to the 1987 original, as the title suggests, involves more than one Predator this time around, and pits another team of lethal humans against the extraterrestrial force. Released in 2010 and produced by Robert Rodriguez, Predators was a return to form for the franchise, and so it's a real shame that it looks like this film won't get a sequel as the series is due to be rebooted again in the near future.

In a similar vein to the original, Predators is set in a jungle environment. However, as the team of soldiers and criminals who are unwittingly dropped there discover, the jungle acts as a game preserve planet for the Predators, and so Predators becomes the first film in the series to not be set on Earth. The human characters, unlike the team of commandos from the first film, are all strangers to one another, and so there is constant tension between them. This rag-tag group comes under the leadership of Royce (Adrien Brody), a mercenary who begins to understand the Predators tactics and strengths. He, along with sniper Isabelle (Alice Braga), is easily the most level headed of the group, whereas the rest are either paranoid, scared or say very little. The casting of Adrien Brody is certainly an interesting one. There's no doubt he can act (see The Pianist for his Oscar winning performance), but can he really be the Arnold Schwarzenegger equivalent and be convincing as a bad-ass action hero? I'm happy to say that Brody totally delivers in this role, not only outperforming the rest of the cast, but also not looking out of place when taking on the Predators. The other cast members also do well, which is a big compliment when compared to some of the acting in the last film to feature the Predator: Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007).

But what about the Predators? Well, there are four of them in this film, and not all of them are on the same side. The first time we see a Predator, it closely resembles the original Predator, so much so that you could be forgiven for thinking the filmmakers simply used the same costume. Very soon after the group encounter this particular Predator, three more show up to attack. We soon find out that these Predators are bigger, stronger, and certainly a lot meaner than any of the Predators in the previous films. These "Super Predators" (as they are referred to by the production team), unlike their predecessors, are more easily distinguishable from one another, with their masks having obvious variations such as the addition of tusks and jawbones of their prey. The designs of these Predators, I think, are even better than the others, with their more intimidating nature making them further stand out in the series' gallery of other Predators.

With four Predators and a group of deadly humans, there are plenty of opportunities for big action sequences. It is somewhat disappointing then, when we only see a Predator around 40 minutes into the film. Before that encounter, we have two decent action scenes: the first involving leftover traps set for the Predators, and the next featuring the Predator equivalent of dogs. Being that this is the fifth film to feature the Predators and has to introduce four of them, Predators lets itself down by attempting to be too much like the 1987 original. When the action finally gets going, it is more out of relief than suspense. Which is a shame, because some of the action is pretty good, the highlight being a one on one fight between the lead Super Predator and Classic Predator. Then comes Adrien Brody's big moment, the final fight of the film. It's here that Brody fully demonstrates his ability to play an action hero, as the sequence involves plenty of running and combat, all whilst being surrounded by fire. It's a thrilling sequence that serves as a satisfying end, as the film makes up for a slow start by delivering good suspense and development of Royce's character, as he learns that the best way to defeat the Predators is to work together.

Despite some flaws, Predators is the most creative of the series since the original, offering new Predators and a new world to set the action. For me, it follows the original a little too closely, but its merits are a strong lead performance by Adrien Brody and some good set pieces once the film gets going. Its clearly a better made film than both crossover films that preceded it and expands the world of the Predator franchise. If this upcoming reboot is instead a sequel to this film, Predators has laid the foundations for the series to be considered thrilling and creative once again. 

Pros:
+ Strong lead performance by Adrien Brody.
+ Fantastic new Predator designs, I'd say better than the rest.
+ Good action sequences in the later stages of the film.

Cons:
- Follows the original film too closely, with some sequences being a direct copy.
- Not all the human character's names are revealed, a big problem when you're trying to feel something for them when they get put in danger or killed off.

Predator 2 (1990) Review

"We've got a new player in town." - Lieutenant Michael Harrigan.

The Predator is back. This time, Los Angeles 1997, in the midst of a drug war between rival Jamaican and Colombian gangs. Lieutenant Michael Harrigan (Danny Glover) soon finds that there is more to fear than the gangs, as the Predator starts hunting down members of the police force. Released in 1990, directed by Stephen Hopkins (known for A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child), the odds were stacked against this sequel to the popular 1987 original. With no Arnold Schwarzenegger or John McTiernan, Predator 2 wasn't well received upon its initial release. However, I think there are a number of ideas in Predator 2 that improve upon the first film, and think that after hearing people's reasons of not liking the film, it seems that the majority wanted it to echo the original more. Maybe this is why there was a more satisfactory feel to 2010's Predators, but I'll be looking at that film next time.

The first thing that stands out as a major difference from the first film is the setting. In the original, the human characters and the Predator were isolated in a South American jungle, which helped to build suspense as the commandos are trapped in an almost alien environment, with no other humans except for the rival Guerillas. This time, the Predator is let loose on the streets of Los Angeles, attacking subway trains and the headquarters of the drug gangs. With such a drastic change of environment, Predator 2 shows how the titular monster adapts to hunt in a different location, adding to its character of being an intelligent alien. This is further demonstrated in two sequences in the film, both of which building on an idea established in the original: the Predator having a code of honour. The two sequences in question are when the Predator chooses not to kill two characters. The first is a boy carrying a toy gun, who spots the Predator whilst playing. Upon scanning the toy, the Predator realises the boy is not a threat, and promptly ceases aiming its shoulder cannon at him. The other is when the Predator attacks Detective Leona Cantrell (Maria Conchita Alonso), but again refuses to kill after noticing she is pregnant. Adding to the previously established characteristics whilst also offering the audience something new with the change of location, Predator 2 makes the Predator a more fascinating creature than before. On top of that, there is more Predator screen-time than its predecessor, exactly what anyone should expect from a sequel.

Action wise Predator 2, for me, offers bigger and better set pieces. The final encounter between Harrigan and the Predator is the standout moment of the film, with the fight going from inside a slaughterhouse, to the roof, through an apartment building, and eventually facing off inside the Predator's ship. There's an added treat of seeing an Alien skull inside the ship,  which would inspire the Alien vs. Predator franchise. This fight scene is not only larger in scale compared to the final fight in the original, there is also use of new Predator gadgets such as a spear, throwing disk, and different vision modes. Seeing all of these weapons used in the fight makes for a visual delight, and further stacks the odds against Harrigan. The previously mentioned subway scene is also a highlight, just due to the amount of chaos that ensues upon the Predator's arrival. In fact, its hard to think of a scene that isn't intense. Whether it's another Predator attack or Harrigan's short fuse, in particular when he confronts Special Agent Peter Keyes (Gary Busey) about the Predator. These sequences of Harrigan's no-nonsense attitude to police work and his pursuit of the Predator make for an entertaining lead, which helps as Danny Glover is of course less of a physical presence than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Overall, I'd say the choice of lead actor and the writing make for a fresh alternative, rather than simply rehashing ideas from the first film.

With all my positivity and listed reasons towards considering Predator 2 a worthy sequel, it still baffles me as to why people are so quick to dismiss it. I welcome an alternate approach to the sequel, as it means it will not be a clone of the first film. If I want was done in Predator, I'll watch Predator. I think Predator 2 is worth checking out, and it may grow on people who give it a second chance after being initially disappointed following on the original.

Pros:
+ More Predator screen time.
+ New location for the story, provides more potential for the Predator character.
+ Bigger and better action sequences.
+ Engaging lead character.

Cons:
- Only one scene (Harrigan visiting a friend's grave) that provides any break in the action for a sustained amount of time. Even then, the scene ends with Harrigan feeling intimidated. A few more subtle scenes would have given the later action sequences even more punch.

Predator (1987) Review

"If it bleeds, we can kill it."- Dutch

Before John McTiernan really announced himself as a great action director with the release of 1988's Die Hard, little did he know that he would kick-start another hugely popular franchise the year before. Following on from the success of Predator was a sequel, two crossovers with the Alien franchise and a reboot/sequel which ignored everything that came after this film. However much the later films polarised audiences, there is no denying that the original is a classic of action/science-fiction filmmaking, and introduced one of the most memorable aliens ever depicted on film.

The plot is simple: an elite squad of commandos are hunted down on what seems like another routine rescue mission of hostages. Along the way, they begin to realise that their enemy is not of this world, and must do whatever they can to make it out of the jungle alive. Without being hampered by such a simple plot, Predator manages to stand out in its genre for three main reasons: memorable characters, fantastic action sequences and, best of all, the design of the titular monster. Starting with the characters, we have the lead role of Dutch, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Throughout his career, much has been made of Schwarzenegger being best suited to action roles, garnering a reputation of being unable to act in any other genre. In Predator, I think Arnold is at his best in terms of delivering his lines convincingly. He'll always be remembered for playing the Terminator, as his semi-monotone delivery of the dialogue perfectly fits the role of a robot. He doesn't do anything particularly spectacular in Predator,  but given his reputation as being a "one note" actor, I think his performance here is one that should be viewed favourably. His physical presence makes him the stand out of the group, and very clearly shows that he is the leader of the team. Starring alongside him are other "tough guy" actors such as Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed in the Rocky films) and wrestler Jesse Ventura. The supporting cast are all memorable due to McTiernan establishing each member of the team's personality, with Dillon (Weathers) being the outsider having tagged along against Dutch's wishes of his team always working alone. The other soldiers are defined by their roles in the team, with Hawkins (Shane Black) being the joker, Billy (Sonny Landham) tactically analysing enemy attacks and Anna (Elpidia Carrillo), a woman in the company of the hostage takers, explaining the possibility of the Predator being otherworldly: "the demon who makes trophies of man". 

All the characters get to prove their usefulness to the team throughout the many action sequences in the film, and Predator delivers some of the best action you will ever see. Not just for the amount of explosions and body count, but for the different situations the characters are placed in where the action unfolds. Early on in the film, we are treated to a shoot-out between the commandos and the hostage taking Guerillas. The cinematography is excellent here, with low-angle shots following the soldiers who are thrown from their hiding spots, and with the camera tracking each of the heroes as they make their way through the encampment. Accompanying this scene is some the most memorable (and cheesy) one-liners uttered by the heroes, such as "payback time", "I ain't got time to bleed", "stick around" (uttered after a soldier is pinned to a post with a dagger) and "knock knock", as Dutch kicks a door down and fires away at more soldiers. When the Predator arrives, however, things get serious and the action style shifts, along with the character's personalities. No more one liners whilst attacking, with the team realising they are under threat by something more deadly than enemy soldiers. This is exemplified by the change in personality of Billy, whom before was established as a no-nonsense killer and tactician. He is the first character to sense there is danger after they have completed their mission: "There's something out their waiting for us, and it ain't no man. We're all gonna die." The final confrontation between the Predator and Dutch is a suspenseful cat and mouse game, with each of them trying to outsmart the other, favouring stealth at first until leading to a fist fight in which the Predator displays its dominance, by beating Dutch to a pulp. The variety in action sequences keeps Predator fresh and ensures the audience's attention is held, with the team developing new tactics to try and outsmart the Predator after each encounter.

If all that wasn't enough, the Predator creature itself will no doubt leave an impression on the audience. This alien is a fantastic design, created by special effects maestro Stan Winston, the man behind The Terminator's effects three years prior. Boasting an invisibility cloak, a shoulder cannon, wrist blades, infra-red vision and incredible strength and agility, the Predator is more than a match for the bad-ass team of commandos. McTiernan expertly uses this impressive arsenal to further the film's suspense, with each weapon being revealed through the different action scenes, leaving the audience eagerly awaiting to see what else the creature can do. For most of the film, the Predator remains invisible, leaving its appearance a mystery until the final stages. Even then, there is more to the creature than first suspected, as the Predator removes its mask only when deciding to fight Dutch one on one. Special credit must go to 7ft tall actor Kevin Peter Hall, who gives the Predator a personality through body language. Subtle head movements and dynamic poses make the Predator a more three-dimensional character, rather than simply being a rampaging monster with no distinguishable personality.

The Predator itself is probably the primary aspect of the film's long lasting appeal to fans of science-fiction and action films. However, there is plenty of soul to be found in Predator, with the human characters all being likeable and well portrayed. Add to the mix some classic dialogue ("Get to the chopper!") and you have a thrill ride of a film that delivers both action and visual awe aplenty.

Pros:
+ Terrific action scenes, varied throughout. 
+ Cinematography that compliments the action, not at all obtrusive (as is the case with many modern action films).
+ Very quotable dialogue, whether it be bad-ass or hilarious ("You're one ugly motherfucker").
+ Unique creature design.
+ Solid acting from all the cast.

Cons:
- Some predictable moments, with one character deciding to go after the Predator alone. No prizes for guessing how that encounter ends.