So I recently had a chance to view Alien: Covenant on a flight. Without mincing words, I have to say that I was deeply disappointed by this latest entry in the Alien film franchise, and for numerous reasons.
Where to begin? I guess we need to start where most movies go bad: the plot.
Quite often, filmmakers will have characters do something incredibly stupid in order to advance the story: a law-abiding citizen will inexplicably commit a crime; someone who hates drugs will - for no good reason - take a few puffs off a joint or sniff some powder; a person in a building with a killer will steadfastly refuse to try to leave, even with a flashing arrow on an "Exit" sign...
In Covenant, some people from Earth are traveling through space (in a ship aptly named The Covenant) with the intent to colonize another world. Their new home has been extensively scrutinized and examined, and after careful deliberation was chosen as the site for the new settlement. However, along the way, they come across another world that - at first blush - also seems to be a prime candidate for colonization. But - unlike their intended destination - this other planet has never been discovered, explored, analyzed, etc.
In short, the crew of the Covenant have no idea what dangers lurk on this strange new planet that they've stumbled upon. But, because it has an Earth-like atmosphere and could be suitable for their needs (and because it will take them years to reach their original destination), they decide to explore this new world.
Up until this point, I'm fine, with how the movie has gone. However, the minute they land, extreme stupidity seems to be required to advance the plot.
First of all, the Covenant crew knows absolutely nothig about this new planet. But, as soon as they land, a group of them go marching off into a nearby wooded area, seemingly without a care as to what type of predators might be around. Not only that, but - as they march through the trees - one of the crew basically says, "Hey, I want to take some readings, so I'll stay here and you guys can scoop me up on your way back." Really? You've been on an alien world for two seconds, don't know anything about what's lurking behind the next bush or flitting through the trees over your head, and you just say, "Leave me here by myself"?
Next, one of the idiot crewmen sees an odd, bulbous plant and decides to put his face right next to it before giving it a squeeze. In essence, he's willing to breathe in some alien spores without regard for what they might do to him. In my opinion, this is the equivalent of coming across some wild mushrooms in the forest and - without knowing whether they are poisonous or not - deciding to eat them.
Anyway, if you're at all familiar with the Alien franchise, it won't surprise you to know that a short time after the events above we have monsters bursting out of human bodies and going on the attack. In one such instance, a person in the room when the first alien has been "born" tries to get away and slips in the blood of a dead crewmate. In practically the same scene - maybe a minute later - another colleague also slips in the crewman's blood. To me, this does not a good movie make. Using the same gimmick (slipping in blood) in virtually the same scene and for basically the same effect just exhibits lame filmmaking, lack of creativity, and/or just plain laziness.
Needless to say, these are not the only instances in which the characters exhibit inexplicable behavior, with the only purpose seemingly being the need to move the plot forward. In my opinion, if you can't advance the storyline without (a) having everyone behave like an idiot or (b) improbable events, maybe this is a movie that doesn't need to get made. (To be honest, I could have done without this one, because it really was a waste of time.) That said, the Alien films have typically been good, and to be honest, I've actually liked most of the movies in the franchise. However, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the next movie goes back to form and turns out to be something actually worth watching. This one was basically crap (and that's if you're being generous with your criticism).
Quite often, filmmakers will have characters do something incredibly stupid in order to advance the story: a law-abiding citizen will inexplicably commit a crime; someone who hates drugs will - for no good reason - take a few puffs off a joint or sniff some powder; a person in a building with a killer will steadfastly refuse to try to leave, even with a flashing arrow on an "Exit" sign...
In Covenant, some people from Earth are traveling through space (in a ship aptly named The Covenant) with the intent to colonize another world. Their new home has been extensively scrutinized and examined, and after careful deliberation was chosen as the site for the new settlement. However, along the way, they come across another world that - at first blush - also seems to be a prime candidate for colonization. But - unlike their intended destination - this other planet has never been discovered, explored, analyzed, etc.
In short, the crew of the Covenant have no idea what dangers lurk on this strange new planet that they've stumbled upon. But, because it has an Earth-like atmosphere and could be suitable for their needs (and because it will take them years to reach their original destination), they decide to explore this new world.
Up until this point, I'm fine, with how the movie has gone. However, the minute they land, extreme stupidity seems to be required to advance the plot.
First of all, the Covenant crew knows absolutely nothig about this new planet. But, as soon as they land, a group of them go marching off into a nearby wooded area, seemingly without a care as to what type of predators might be around. Not only that, but - as they march through the trees - one of the crew basically says, "Hey, I want to take some readings, so I'll stay here and you guys can scoop me up on your way back." Really? You've been on an alien world for two seconds, don't know anything about what's lurking behind the next bush or flitting through the trees over your head, and you just say, "Leave me here by myself"?
Next, one of the idiot crewmen sees an odd, bulbous plant and decides to put his face right next to it before giving it a squeeze. In essence, he's willing to breathe in some alien spores without regard for what they might do to him. In my opinion, this is the equivalent of coming across some wild mushrooms in the forest and - without knowing whether they are poisonous or not - deciding to eat them.
Anyway, if you're at all familiar with the Alien franchise, it won't surprise you to know that a short time after the events above we have monsters bursting out of human bodies and going on the attack. In one such instance, a person in the room when the first alien has been "born" tries to get away and slips in the blood of a dead crewmate. In practically the same scene - maybe a minute later - another colleague also slips in the crewman's blood. To me, this does not a good movie make. Using the same gimmick (slipping in blood) in virtually the same scene and for basically the same effect just exhibits lame filmmaking, lack of creativity, and/or just plain laziness.
Needless to say, these are not the only instances in which the characters exhibit inexplicable behavior, with the only purpose seemingly being the need to move the plot forward. In my opinion, if you can't advance the storyline without (a) having everyone behave like an idiot or (b) improbable events, maybe this is a movie that doesn't need to get made. (To be honest, I could have done without this one, because it really was a waste of time.) That said, the Alien films have typically been good, and to be honest, I've actually liked most of the movies in the franchise. However, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the next movie goes back to form and turns out to be something actually worth watching. This one was basically crap (and that's if you're being generous with your criticism).
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