Alien: Covenant

In a community where franchise films reign king, Hollywood should just go ahead and rename itself Franchisewood. In the last decade alone, there have been more franchises either continue or are created that it's become difficult for original films to even squeeze in their time. Between the "Twilight Saga", "Divergent", overhauling "Planet of the Apes", "Harry Potter" to name a small number, we have "Alien: Covenant" to add to that never ending "Alien" franchise.

In this sci-fi horror film, which serves as both a sequel to 2012's "Prometheus" and a prequel to the larger "Alien" franchise, a colony spaceship called the Covenant is forced to make an emergency landing on a seemingly idyllic world. Unfortunately, the crew comprised of Walter (Michael Fassbender), Oram (Billy Crudup), Daniels (Katherine Waterston), Tennessee (Danny McBride), Lope (Demian Bichir) and others soon realize that this paradise contains a terrifying threat: the extraterrestrial predator known as the "xenomoph". Soon after landing and the crew is attacked by these predators, they come across help in the shape of a android computer, David (Fassbender) who is able to divert them into safety so they can start planning how they will be able to escape the horrid planet, but this is obviously easier said than done.

Others to round out the cast are Carmen Ejogo as Karine, Jussie Smollett as Ricks, Callie Hernandez as Upworth, Amy Seimetz as Faris, Nathaniel Dean as Hallett, Alexander England as Ankor, Benjamin Rigby as Ledward and Lorelei King as Voice of "Mother".

This was brilliantly directed by seasoned pro Ridley Scott ("Alien" '79, "Blade Runner" '82, "Thelma & Louise" '91, "Gladiator" 2000, "Black Hawk Down" '01, "American Gangster" '07, "Prometheus" '12, "The Martian" '15) plus many more. This consummate pro is surely a chameleon in that one cannot pigeon-hole him. His resume is as diverse as one could possibly be which makes him not only indispensable but talented as well. The sheer subtleties he was able to extract out of his actors was pure genius. It was creatively written by John Logan and Dante Harper based on a story by Jack Paglen and Michael Green which is based on characters created by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett. Even though Logan has the lion's share of experience, Harper still had important input. The connection between this and "Prometheus" was strategically orchestrated, so it will be interesting to see how the next installment of this trilogy will pan out. The 3rd has already been announced. Although I wasn't as keen on the story of "Prometheus", though fairly written well, this was much more tight and cohesive. It was a bit slow in some areas where it didn't need to be, however not enough to take away from the storyline. The visual effects predominantly designed by MPC (Moving Picture Company) were stunning and, unlike a lot of other big-budget films, actually added to this story.

Certainly if you're an "Alien" afictionato, you will be in franchise heaven, but even if you're not, it is still well executed in its direction, writing and acting. Also the ensemble cast was solid as it seemed real. Definitely one for the large screen also in an IMAX format as well.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                 Rated: R                                 122mins.