David and his Goliaths

Film review: Alien Covenant

MANILA, Philippines - With Ridley Scott again directing (as he did in the 2012 prequel Prometheus), Alien Covenant can be viewed as a glorious return to form for the Alien film franchise. With events in Covenant occurring some 10 years after Prometheus (and still some 20 years before the original 1979 Alien); at one level, Covenant is out to answer what became of the android David (Michael Fassbender).

While my title refers to the central character, it is no accident that there is a Biblical connotation, as several themes of the new installment have religious reverberations emanating from that book — such as what happens when the creation decides to be creator, the use of plagues and pestilence to wipe out whole populations, and the need for redemption and/or salvation.

The Alien films have failed or succeeded in the estimation of most audiences hinged on the kind of empathy created for the human characters — Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley still setting the standard to replicate. The Xenomorph (Alien) will always be a given, although the film offers various permutations. The high body count as the xenomorphs go through the crew members will likewise be etched in stone. So, it’s how the story yields strong human characters that make or break the films. The two characters who truly register in the outing are Daniels (Katherine Waterston) and Tennessee (Danny McBride), and thankfully, they are the most likely to make the cut for the probable next installment.

If David in Prometheus emerged as the most interesting and irritating character (admittedly, not human), we can be grateful for how the film places him and a new synthetic, Walter (also portrayed by Fassbender) on the center stage when the second half of the film kicks off. The chemistry between the two Fassbenders is a treat to watch unfold, as they bond, compete and effectively steal the limelight. The nuances Fassbender incorporates to punctuate the differences between the two are wonderfully pitched. In fact, one of the strongest, most intriguing sequences, would be the opening scene/prologue, where we watch David and his creator, Weyland (Guy Pearce), discuss the meaning and implications of creation.

If Prometheus was at times heavy-handed and devoid of any humor, Scott has definitely “righted the ship” with Covenant. The banter between crew members is often risqué and light-hearted; and the gory, action sequences come at a dizzying pace the moment after the first Alien attack happens. While there obviously will be some familiarity to all that transpires in the Alien universe, Covenant still manages to shock, surprise and keep us on the edge of our seats. The faint of heart, the ones who can’t stand seeing blood and guts spill profusely, you are all hereby warned to stay away from the film. In David, the Alien film franchise has found its angel who would dare poke the eye of God and claim Heaven for himself.