As they analyze this incident, Branson's successor, Christopher Oram (Billy Crudup), and his colleagues detect a weak audio signal that alerts them to the existence of a much closer -- and possibly populated -- world that seems just as suitable for settlement as their original destination. After some debate, Oram orders a change in course.
Anyone who has ever seen an "Alien" film (and even many who have not) will know what a mistake this turns out to be. Those in the imperiled landing party Oram leads -- and Walter accompanies -- include Branson's widow, Daniels (Katherine Waterston), and Oram's wife, Karine (Carmen Ejogo).
As director Ridley Scott, who originated the series, unleashes his trademark mayhem, the plot increasingly focuses on a duel between Walter and David (also Fassbender), an earlier model of synthetic who featured in "Prometheus" and who now turns up -- at first, it would seem, providentially -- down on the surface.
Grown viewers with a strong tolerance for gore will note an undeveloped theme concerning Oram's religiosity. Though the early dialogue highlights his faith-based decision making, and the opposition his beliefs are likely to excite once he takes over, all this fizzles away rapidly as the franchise's ultimate form of indigestion begins to take hold.
Moviegoers on the lookout for the gay material tipped in pre-release publicity -- of the thousand or so couples on the Covenant, at least one is made up of two men (Demian Bichir and Nathaniel Dean) -- will observe a similar disappearing act.
The characters are there, but only a single statement by one of them indicates the nature of their relationship. And this whispered declaration comes at a moment when even vigilant observers could be forgiven for being distracted -- yet another cast member having just erupted like a crimson Krakatoa.
The film contains intervals of gruesome bloody violence, brief graphic marital lovemaking, a same-sex kiss, about a half-dozen uses each of profanity and milder swearing as well as pervasive rough and some crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
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Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.
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CAPSULE REVIEW
"Alien: Covenant" (Fox)
Competently shocking addition to the long-standing sci-fi horror franchise that dates back to 1979's "Alien." After a spacecraft on its way to colonize a distant planet is damaged in an incident that also kills several crew members, including the captain (James Franco), the vessel's new commander (Billy Crudup) decides to divert to a closer world which seems equally suitable for settlement. But the landing party (Katherine Waterston and Carmen Ejogo, among others) soon discovers that welcoming appearances can be deceptive. As director Ridley Scott, who originated the series, unleashes his trademark eat-'em-up-from-the-inside extraterrestrials, the plot eventually turns on a duel between two androids (both played by Michael Fassbender). Grown viewers with a strong tolerance for gore will note an undeveloped theme regarding the religious motivations of Crudup's character, as well as the virtual disappearance of some gay material tipped in pre-release publicity. Intervals of gruesome bloody violence, brief graphic marital lovemaking, a same-sex kiss, about a half-dozen uses each of profanity and milder swearing, pervasive rough and some crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
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CLASSIFICATION
"Alien: Covenant" (Fox) -- Catholic News Service classification, L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. Motion Picture Association of America rating, R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
