In my review of last March’s alien bomb “Life,” I predicted Ridley Scott’s “Alien: Covenant” would be more entertaining, and I was right. In fact, it’s more entertaining than Scott’s predecessor “Prometheus.”

This sequel of the prequel to the “Alien” franchise involves a ship called “Covenant” sent to deliver a group of colonies and embryo to a planet to begin life anew. The android Walter (Michael Fassbender) has to make sure the ship is up and running, but when complications arise , the crew (consisting of Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demian Bichir, and Carmen Ejogo) is forced to wake up early, and the ship’s captain (James Franco) dies. They discover a transmission from a closer planet, and much as the captain’s widow (Waterston) has doubts about the planet, they land there and go exploring.

There are aliens on that planet, and apparently, they have evolved. And David (also Fassbender), Walter’s brother, knows about them. Check that, he’s behind all this. The twist may be predictable, but I admired the special effects to place Fassbender and Fassbender in the same room, and how they’re complete opposites of each other.

“Alien: Covenant” offers similar qualities of the 1979 movie with its sense of thrills, sense of narrative, and sense of casting. Interestingly enough, Sigourney Weaver and Katherine Waterson are both the same height, and they’re both nice as the heroes (Disclaimer: Weaver is not in this one). I didn’t get closely involved with the story, which can detach my attention sometimes, but unlike “Life,” I was entertained by the special effects, casting, and energy.

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Categories: Action, Horror, Prequel, Sci Fi, Sequel, Thriller