Alien: Covenant arrives this Wednesday in our dark rooms. And afterthe resounding artistic failure that was Prometheus, there was reason to be skeptical about this sequel to come. However, despite the shaky foundations left by its predecessor, this new Alien seems determined to take back its legend. The goal? Return to the roots with a continuation closer to what made the fame of the saga.Back on this dark and aestheticized opus, where the excellent rubs shoulders with mediocrity.
A dark and calibrated realization
Before we dwell on the scenario, on its ups and downs, a detour realization is necessary. Because one thing is undeniable, Ridley Scott did a magnificent job. Much more sober than its predecessor, Alien: Covenant taps into the dirty and dark aesthetic for which it is famous. Of course, we do not escape the technologies much more advanced than they should be compared to the first Alien, but the effect this time is much better controlled and therefore much less disturbing.
The twilight atmosphere is masterfully led from start to finish, accompanied in all sobriety by a soundtrack with "Starwarsian" sounds by Jed Kurzel (Assassin's Creed). The loss of bearings of the characters is as palpable as it is awkward.This is felt in particular thanks to the iconization of titanic decorations and empty of all life.
In addition to a beautiful photograph, we have the pleasure of finding the dirt and blood that made this saga legendary. Hemoglobin and guts are present enough to be enjoyable and subtle enough not to be outrageous. Thus, a very nice balance is found between the anxiety-provoking atmosphere and the gore which are both emblematic in the saga.
Pervasive metaphysical questions
If Alien: Covenant takes its time to start in order to properly set its atmosphere, metaphysical questions are present from the beginning: for better and for worse! The advantage is that these metaphysical questions get better throughout the film. The first big questions are asked from the first scene but betide: we are once again facing a form of pure and hard creationism, reminding us of the darkest hours of Prometheus.
But this does not last long, since we are subsequently confronted with real questions specific to the human species, but also with various questions concerning the humanity of machines. How far can man play God? When will his creation surpass him? What is the soul and how to quantify it? Are emotions the prerogative of Man? So many questions that the film exposes to us without answering them, but leaving us something to think about and take a step back. Finally, we find philosophical questions worthy of the Alien saga. What a pleasure!
Unfortunately, this pleasure is partially spoiled for a simple reason but that we will have to develop. And that reason is that…
The film does not keep its promises
Damn it goodnight! Alien: Covenant is supposed to offer a sequel to Prometheus, to offer answers to all the questions we asked ourselves in front of this first prequel. While it is undeniable that this new Alien is well conducted from start to finish, it is important to emphasize that it does not offer a real sequel to Prometheus. Questions about the origin of humanity have not been settled, even partially.
What's the point of bringing back the android David and developing his background if it's not to offer a real sequel to his story?This is truly unfortunate since David's spiritual development is the spearhead of Alien: Covenant. This character is by far the most interesting. He is the one who makes us put into perspective all the vision we can have of the soul, emotions and consciousness. It embodies human creation in all its splendor, darkness and complexity. So why didn't he focus the whole story on him? Why this need to highlight a space colony that ends up making extras in its own film?
Ridley Scott seems so eager to get away from Prometheus (which was, remember, very bad!) that he forgot to conclude the story. Returning to the roots of the Alien saga is a very laudable goal and a bet kept since Alien Covenant is a great success. But this should not have come at the expense of what this new story undertaken by Ridley Scott in the previous episode. So let's hope Scott answers all these questions (as he said) in the future Alien: Awakening, which should shed light on the events taking place between Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.
Alien: Covenant is a great filmic and philosophical success. If some scripting facilities are sometimes felt, they remain anecdotal enough not to be disturbing. However, the film does not answer the questions posed by Prometheus and adds several on top of that. This offers us a film that is certainly calibrated, but a film that does not keep its promises.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VZbQXL8rKY
