West Lothian Courier

Sequel is not so great, Scott

Alien: Covenant (15)

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Disappoint­ment. That’s the overriding feeling I had leaving the cinema after watching 2012’s Prometheus.

Ridley Scott’s return to the Alien franchise following the classic 1979 original flick was a confused letdown with tenuous links to previous entries and seemed more concerned with presenting a bigger plan and picture steeped in the creation of life itself.

Covenant – a direct follow-up to Prometheus, but set 10 years later – feels like Scott’s attempt at making amends as he packs the sequel with numerous nods, winks and tributes to Aliens past.

Perhaps too many, though, as it often feels like a greatest hits parade, only delivered by inferior characters with more computeris­ed special effects taking over from practical techniques.

The story – penned by four writers – sees the crew of the titular colony ship travelling to a remote planet, where they stumble across an uncharted paradise crammed full of lifethreat­ening peril.

While the dialogue steers clear of the more annoying philosophi­cal chatter that dominated Prometheus, our heroes and heroines still have an uncanny habit of talking like they are reading from a science manual.

Those wondering about the fate of Prometheus’ lead character Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) will also be left feeling cold at the resolution to her storyline.

However, Londoner Katherine Waterston (Daniels) delivers a far more convincing leading lady performanc­e here; she may clearly be modelled on Sigourney Weaver’s iconic Ripley, but her grief-ridden, resilient “terraformi­ng expert” works as her own beast.

The star of the show, though, is Michael Fassbender, who pulls double duty as returning Prometheus film-stealer David and fellow android Walter.

You’re never sure exactly what direction the Irishman is going to take you in and, ironically given he’s playing robots, Fassbender plays the most well-rounded characters in the film.

The supporting cast – including Billy Crudup’s (Oram) first mate, Danny McBride’s (Tennessee) pilot and a couple of surprise stars – play their roles well and make for a more likeable ensemble than Prometheus’ gang.

Scott takes the series back to its original horror roots with some genuinely creepy sequences and doesn’t hold back on the claret and gore.

Franchise favourites the facehugger­s, Chestburst­ers and Xenomorphs all make a welcome return, alongside memorable newbies the Neomorphs.

The pitch black-toned climax works really well and resonates more than anything in its predecesso­r.

But while it’s one of the better post-1986 Alien movies, Covenant – inevitably – pales in comparison to the untouchabl­e first two flicks.

 ??  ?? Fightback Brit Waterston channels her inner Ellen Ripley
Fightback Brit Waterston channels her inner Ellen Ripley

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