Alien: Covenant immediate first impressions

Chris

Hey everyone, 

As you know I attended the world premiere of Alien: Covenant yesterday. My full review I will post later but here is a brief run down of my first impressions... 

The film is very much Alien. With having some nods to Prometheus it definitely leans more on the Alien / Aliens side of the mythology. However, while being an Alien focused sequel, the story is really about David. 

As you can imagine Fassbender once again stole the show with his remarkable performance as David and Walter. Though, the rest of the cast did fare much better than those in Prometheus. 

The film was enjoyable overall, but I do have a few gripes which I will explain at length in my spoiler-filled review.

Covenant is a worthy entry into the Alien series, but like Prometheus, it has a lot of explaining to do before we get to the 1979 original.

I have a second viewing planned for the 10th and I hear repeat viewings are necessary for this movie.

Expect a fill rundown soon, though!

A L I E N 4 2 6

Do we see the Deacon?

A L I E N 4 2 6

Also, I've heard it better described as a companion to Prometheus rather than a true sequel. Is that a better way to describe it?

Neomorph

I fully understand what you mean in regards to not spoiling yet trying to explain, and it's no easy task. You can see that on actors being asked questions that tread more or less dangerously close to, or over spoiler zones, and they try their best to answer professionally. 

I feel like a lot of films nowadays lack proper pacing in general, whether it's caused by flawed writing or editing I'm not sure, but it's definitely not due to a jaded viewpoint on films after having watched so many throughout the years. 

I'm looking forward to your review! 

Cerulean Blue

Thanks for representing us all Chris!

Now, please....on with the review!!!  I am dying to know!!

dk

Lookin' sharp, Chris!

Glad to hear David is a major focus- that was what I was hoping for.

Cerulean Blue

Chris, Will you please tell me Shaw is not a Queen?

djamelameziane

Hmmm yes lucky you! So this ones going back to the roots! Yay that is exactly what I was hoping for and shouting about...But a confusing film still...in the down side. I don't mind a focus on aliens for this one but want to see what's behind it all and the why's soon! And praise the Lord if they are not a bunch of idiots!

Anyone predicted the outcomes? I guess we will find out tmrw a bit...

dk

Chris- did you conduct interviews and will we be able to see them?

IllegalAlienSignedUp

Thanks for the sanitized review and subsequent elaborations, Chris. I have hope that I will enjoy this about as much as I think will. I am in between the layman and the diehards of this forum family, which puts me in a good position to watch without assumption. I eagerly await your full review.

AdamPD

Hope they haven't cut out too much "ala" Prometheus.

There were quite a few scenes in that film which were cut, which really would've made the film that much better.

dk

A Director's Cut was a question I posed to Chris for the interview (fingers crossed).

BlackGooDrinker

I was afraid it was gonna be fast paced. Just like Prometheus where it felt rushed. Hopefully the directors cut brings a healtht dose of more screen time. 

SparklingAmbien

meh. it doesn't sound like everything i've been hoping and waiting on for so damn long..... especially the few spoilers i've read on here have truly disappointed me. once again, meh.... 

Jem587

Looking forward to reading both reviews by you hopefully tomorrow night. I think people to need to realize Alien: Covenant is more of a continuation of Prometheus and it's story and not so much a direct prequel to Alien sadly. 

SparklingAmbien

i enjoyed prometheus. big time. i was just hoping that there would be big shockers, that all the trailers would at least be somewhat misleading.... 

InternecivusRaptorHybrid

How do you know they cut a lot? Is the editing that bad we could make out missing pieces of the puzzles?

Also is David's workshop shown a lot as you said it's his story? (plz answer with yes or no) I hope this is not breaking the embargo and NDA? If yes then I can wait till tomorrow

Chris

I think it's safe to say since this is a Ridley Scott film, there is no Alien queen. Sadly no Deacon either but as we learned a week or two ago, the Neomorphs share that goblin shark inspiration that the Deacon had. 

I have to be careful with what I say but with regards to pacing it's easy to follow what's going on. Never was I lost or having to think hard about what was going on. I think a better term would be much was accelerated.

I will say though, that many of the theories we shared here were very close to on the money.

Tiwaz

@Chris

Whose theories? ;P

Cerulean Blue

The Queen is Dead!!  HOORAY!!

Ok, hit me with the full Spoiler Review!!

TY Chris!

spacejock

Someone burn David already.. 

splatterpunk

No Deacon. No Queen. Two types of aliens are the ones shown off in the trailers. David is a bastard. 

dk

Arnold Arthur Spamming The Chief? Kids these days- no respect!

Reported.