Alien: Covenant – Ridley Scott divides the critics
Michael Fassbender leads the crew on another prequel, but the return of the franchise get a mixed reaction
Almost 40 years after Alien burst on to our screens, director Ridley Scott returns with the latest in the franchise - Alien: Covenant.
The second chapter of the prequels, which began with 2012's Alien: Prometheus, sees Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterson, Carmen Ejogo and Billy Crudup among the crew who make a terrible discovery after they land on an uncharted planet.
It may be a concept that first hit cinemas in 1979, but "there's life in the old bugger yet", says Todd McCarthy of the Hollywood Reporter.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Despite the series seeming to have "hit the rocks" with Prometheus, "savvy old master Scott has resuscitated it, and then some", says the critic, and the latest offering is "gripping through its full two hours" with "some real surprises".
Covenant is "grandiose" and "exhilarating", with the director creating terror on a "towering scale", says Robbie Collin in the Daily Telegraph.
Elements from Scott's "unfairly scorned" Prometheus come lurching back into focus with a maniacal "this’ll show 'em' glint", he adds, giving the film a full five stars.
Ian Freer in Empire says it can be "really intense" and covers "all your favourite Alien tropes", from "crew bantz" and the return of the ship’s computer Mother, to "facehuggers, chestbursters and xenomorphs".
However, he also argues that Alien: Covenant is hampered by a lack of memorable crew members and while there are some "creepy kills", there's nothing to "recapture the imagination and design of the originals".
Similarly, Germain Lussier on Gizmodo thinks the film might be the "biggest disappointment of the summer".
It's not terrible, says the critic and there are even "a few pockets of enjoyment", but it is too slow to get going, with an hour passing before the crew lands on the planet.
"It was good for a little bit, but not for long, and that’s just not good enough for a franchise with this history", he writes.
Alien: Covenant is out in the UK on 12 May.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 27, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - natural gas, fundraising with Ted Cruz, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Aid to Ukraine: too little, too late?
Talking Point House of Representatives finally 'met the moment' but some say it came too late
By The Week UK Published
-
5 generously funny cartoons on the $60 billion foreign aid package
Cartoons Artists take on Republican opposition, aid to Ukraine, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published
-
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas review: a mythical beachside resort
The Week Recommends Combine the classically simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand with upmarket fun and food
By Adrienne Wyper Published