Alien: Covenant (Ridley Scott)

[TGM]

[TGM]

I think I enjoy this film despite such glaring continuity issues. Honestly, both this and Prometheus set out to answer all sorts of questions that I was never asking after watching the Alien movies (just assumed that they were, you know, aliens. How they came to be doesn't really matter, does it? They're just monsters from another world). So in a sense, even though these are within canon with the other films, a part of me just enjoys them as their own thing, sorta similar to what Ezee alluded to with this just being Scott's way of being able to get another original sci-fi idea of his made. So yeah, it honestly raises more questions than it really answers, but even so, I can still dig it on its own merits. And this movie really has me wanting to revisit Prometheus and actually give it a second chance, and see if I can't appreciate it more now.

[Ezee E]

To me, the Queen is just David's next step in development, considering the one alien at a time simply isn't working out.

I'm guessing he'll somehow be labeled as 'dangerous' or 'wanted at all costs.' He takes refuge on whatever planet he's on, develops the queen that can create the eggs on her own without him there, and awaits an army that's out to get him...

[Dukefrukem]

To me, the Queen is just David's next step in development, considering the one alien at a time simply isn't working out.

I'm guessing he'll somehow be labeled as 'dangerous' or 'wanted at all costs.' He takes refuge on whatever planet he's on, develops the queen that can create the eggs on her own without him there, and awaits an army that's out to get him...

That's cool if that's true, but I take it as another mutation within the Xenomorphs. I mean, as I said before, it doesn't matter in the least bit.

Think of it like a Ant Queen. Or Bee Queen.

[Ezee E]

That's cool if that's true, but I take it as another mutation within the Xenomorphs. I mean, as I said before, it doesn't matter in the least bit.

Think of it like a Ant Queen. Or Bee Queen.

Sure. No reason to discount the movie for not answering it either.

If the xenomorph species figured it out on its own, like the "life finds a way" meme. That'd be pretty cool.

I like my idea of basically retreading Aliens territory by bringing in the military to take down David and his xenomorph farm. Obviously, doesn't go as planned.

[transmogrifier]

That's cool if that's true, but I take it as another mutation within the Xenomorphs. I mean, as I said before, it doesn't matter in the least bit.

Think of it like a Ant Queen. Or Bee Queen.

Don't you see the contradiction here? If it doesn't matter how the aliens work or how anything comes about regarding the xenomorphs, why on Earth do we need a prequel trilogy in the first place? What IS the point?

[Dukefrukem]

Don't you see the contradiction here? If it doesn't matter how the aliens work or how anything comes about regarding the xenomorphs, why on Earth do we need a prequel trilogy in the first place? What IS the point?

HAha that's exactly why I pointed out Prometheus. It wasn't even supposed to be an Alien film, but just to exist in the Alien universe. Everyone and their mother's complained and Scott said, "Fine, I'll give you Alien 5"... He basically was giving the audience a middle finger with that shower scene at the end (which at that point was like a completely different movie was tacked on. Everything on the ship was fan service). He WANTED to do something new, but you simpletons couldn't handle it.

[transmogrifier]

you simpletons

r/iamverysmart

[Irish]

He WANTED to do something new, but you simpletons couldn't handle it.

OOH, I share your frustration. OTOH, I can't really blame anybody for being disappointed in an "Alien" movie that didn't have any aliens.

[Morris Schæffer]

To me, the Queen is just David's next step in development, considering the one alien at a time simply isn't working out.

I'm guessing he'll somehow be labeled as 'dangerous' or 'wanted at all costs.' He takes refuge on whatever planet he's on, develops the queen that can create the eggs on her own without him there, and awaits an army that's out to get him...

Or here's another thought. The Covenant ship holds colonists heading for Origae 6, but what if David re-aligns its path towards LV-426. That could mean that...Newt and her parents are aboard the Covenant and will eventually be part of human terraforming colony Hadley's Hope. Or I could be way off. But Scott did say many more alien movies are on the way.

This movie really worked for me. First hour is wonderful, but it's weird that it becomes less interesting as soon as the monsters show up. I'm substantially less frightened than I once used to be by the sight of these xenomorphs and their various permutations. Hey it's Mr. facehugger. Cute!

[Dukefrukem]

It matters because Ridley Scott has decided to take something that didn't need explaining and explain it. Fine, in that case, at least do it properly. But these first two movies have been rife with idiotic plot conveniences and ridiculous character decisions and inconsistent timelines and random biological phenomena and it is only serving to frustrate rather than illuminate. It has taken something that we didn't know much about and two movies later we still don't know much because of the parade of unanswered questions that litter these things. So, no, that one question on its own wouldn't be enough to break an entire film, but it is one of a trillion little questions, deaths by a thousand cuts.

AND, even worse, Prometheus was cut a little slack because it was assumed many of the unanswered questions in that would be addressed in Covenant. But as we have seen, most of the Engineer stuff has been waved away, so it follows that many of the unanswered questions in this latest one may never get answered. And that's frustrating. And should absolutely be a source of criticism.

It doesn't feel as if there is any underlying logic in this prequel duo; they're so wrapped up in deepening a mythology that didn't need deepening that they are forgetting a basic rule: make sure it is logical in the context of the rules you have set for your universe. Here, it fails dramatically.

That's bollocks. People complain about Prometheus because it presented more questions than answers- but at least it tried to do something new. Now people complain about this movie because it answers questions (but not the ones I want!), and is basically a remake of Alien. It's a lose lose with audiences and it's frustrating as fuck to read.

AND, even worse, Prometheus was cut a little slack because it was assumed many of the unanswered questions in that would be addressed in Covenant.

This couldn't be more incorrect. Prometheus was cut... zero slacks.

[transmogrifier]

That's bollocks. People complain about Prometheus because it presented more questions than answers- but at least it tried to do something new. Now people complain about this movie because it answers questions (but not the ones I want!), and is basically a remake of Alien. It's a lose lose with audiences and it's frustrating as fuck to read.



This couldn't be more incorrect. Prometheus was cut... zero slacks.

Here's where I think your argument falls down:

1. Trying something different =/= good
2. Answering questions =/= good

Pretty straight forward. And as I said, Scott has taken something that didn't need explaining and made it convoluted and inept.

[Dukefrukem]

Here's where I think your argument falls down:

1. Trying something different =/= good
2. Answering questions =/= good

Pretty straight forward. And as I said, Scott has taken something that didn't need explaining and made it convoluted and inept.

As if those were the only two things I liked about both films. I couldn't have cared at all if any questions were answered in Covenant. Which is why I don't care about the Queen question. Those are nice to haves. Not musts.

[Russ]

Or an Ant Bee.

[Scar]

[megladon8]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Scar again.

[Dukefrukem]

You know I'm just lashing out.

[Ezee E]

Ha. For a bit, I didn't know there was a couple on the ship.

[Dukefrukem]

Alien Vs. Predator had a better opening than this.

[Wryan]

For fuck's sake, can we please give Guy Pearce something better to do in these movies than to exist at various stages of crotchety? I also don't know what accent Fassbender was trying for Walter, but I knew that reed instrument was up to no good. It didn't occur to me before this film that there has never, not once, been a flying xenomorph hybrid (perfect organism, my ass!). There was almost some movement in that direction with the giant horsefly drawings/"models" (?), but upon reflection, it might be better that we don't go down the Tremors 3 road. Everything in this felt preordained and sort of obvious. Maybe they should have split up the couples so one half remains in cocoons. Gives the woke crew further incentive to protect the cargo and reduces potential distractions. Actually, who gives a shit.

And Scott wants to do how many more of these? Maybe he shouldn't.

[Dukefrukem]

[megladon8]

Reducing all of the complaints about Prometheus to "you simpletons couldn't handle something new" is next level silly.

[Dukefrukem]

Yeh Meg. That's why it's a joke.

[transmogrifier]

Esoteric and weird is definitely not the problem; confusing, lumbering, and occasionally idiotic definitely is.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I feel like I'm in Spinal Tap with some of these recent explanations for why movies tank:

I for one don't think the problem was that Prometheus was offbeat and alien-free, I think the problem may have been that it was a dumb and ill-conceived B-movie.