Alien: Covenant ** (out of 5) (R) It’s a good thing the title refers to the name of the space ship carrying our intrepid, if ill-equipped, crew and its passel of cryo-snoozing colonists. That’s because the usual meaning of a serious commitment to something important - like a sequel worthy of the stellar (literally and figuratively) franchise - is nowhere to be found.
Oh, sure we get the expected scary, ugly reptilian beasties of CG renown, plus some variations, but there’s nothing fresh about what they do and how the humans react to these unexpected menaces. There’s also a major plotline about cyborgs with differing degrees of self-awareness and autonomy that dates back to 2001's Hal and Dave dilemma.
Although the action mainly occurs on a planet, rather than within a vessel, the place is so dark and desolate that the extra backdrops add little to the visual dimension. Beyond that, the direction and coordination with computer graphics leave much to be desired - mainly the ability to see who is doing what to whom among the people, ‘borgs and the critters. There’s no Ripley-esque protagonist worthy of our emotional investment. The “icky” factor is probably the closest this production comes to expectations, amid a muddled script and cast of underdeveloped characters. Those expecting anything resembling a surprise twist and the end will leave without it.
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As the old tagline goes, no one can hear you scream in space. But everyone here can see you fail. (5/19/17)