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[GAMEPROFF]

Ridley needs to step away from the franchise before he harms his legacy. You made Alien, dude. It was and is great. Stop trying to remake it. Jesus.

I mean yeah, this aesthetically looks fantastic but it's also beat for beat the bones of Alien, just like Prometheus was. I'll be passing on this one and continuing to wait for Blomkamps take on the universe.

Bloomkamps project is dead, it would conflict storywise with this. Was confirmed a few weeks ago, I just didnt bothered making a thread because I only read a german news and was to lazy to search for a english one.

And fuck Scott for this, I wanted to see Ripley and Hicks once more.

 

[wesleyshark]

Ridley needs to step away from the franchise before he harms his legacy. You made Alien, dude. It was and is great. Stop trying to remake it. Jesus.

I mean yeah, this aesthetically looks fantastic but it's also beat for beat the bones of Alien, just like Prometheus was. I'll be passing on this one and continuing to wait for Blomkamps take on the universe.

You'll be waiting a long time

 

[D.Lo]

Ridley needs to step away from the franchise before he harms his legacy. You made Alien, dude. It was and is great. Stop trying to remake it. Jesus.

He's made more bad movies than good ones. And hasn't made an absolute classic in three decades. I think his legacy is pretty bad overall.

I'm probably in the minority for this opinion, but the actual premise of Prometheus is much better than if they had simplified it to something along these lines with a "throwaway" plot point about the ship we see in Alien. I like that they are digging into everything and explaining it.

Look, even as it was, ideas wise, we could have lived with Prometheus. But it was a disaster of a film on a character, plot, scene and dialogue level.

 

[wesleyshark]

Look, even as it was, ideas wise, we could have lived with Prometheus. But it was a disaster of a film on a character, plot, scene and dialogue level.

Perfect? No. A disaster? Also no.

 

[Cetra]

Bloomkamps project is dead, it would conflict storywise with this. Was confirmed a few weeks ago, I just didnt bothered making a thread because I only read a german news and was to lazy to search for a english one.

And fuck Scott for this, I wanted to see Ripley and Hicks once more.

That... really sucks.

 

[Inceptional]

I'm a fan of Blomkamp and still think you guys preferring an Alien film from him over Scott are fucking bananas. But then again I'm a person who has grown to love Prometheus so what the fuck do I know right? All I do know is that the vision Ridley brings, love it or hate it, is a bazillion times more interesting then what Blomkamp would've done, which is basically just rehash Aliens.

 

[wesleyshark]

I'm a fan of Blomkamp and still think you guys preferring an Alien film from him over Scott are fucking bananas. But then again I'm a person who has grown to love Prometheus so what the fuck do I know right? All I do know is that the vision Ridley brings, love it or hate it, is a bazillion times more interesting then what Blomkamp would've done, which is basically just rehash Aliens.

Scott > Blomkamp, easily.

 

[D.Lo]

Perfect? No. A disaster? Also no.

It was an utter failure on a dramatic level. Characters with no clear motivations or arcs, contradictory behaviour, laughable dialogue, streams of nonsense for plot. It was a disaster.

 

[Inceptional]

Scott > Blomkamp, easily.

And that's not even an opinion, it's straight fact.

 

[wesleyshark]

And that's not even an opinion, it's straight fact.

Plus Blomkamp's idea basically was a retcon of Alien 3. Unnecessary.

 

[ArkkAngel007]

Bloomkamps project is dead, it would conflict storywise with this. Was confirmed a few weeks ago, I just didnt bothered making a thread because I only read a german news and was to lazy to search for a english one.

And fuck Scott for this, I wanted to see Ripley and Hicks once more.

http://www.slashfilm.com/neill-blomkamps-aliens-sequel-is-probably-not-happening/ is all I've seen lately in regards to that film. There's petitions treating it as if it were dead, but have not seen anything official or otherwise.

There's even talk about things rewritten to work with Covenant, but as with the "news" of the drop, I haven't seen anything official on that or of the supposed conflict you are mentioning.

 

[Inceptional]

Plus Blomkamp's idea basically was a retcon of Alien 3. Unnecessary.

As a lover of Alien 3 as well, especially the assembly cut, that would've pissed me off something fierce. I'm totally on the opposite side of history though in that I think killing off Hicks and Newt was the best thing that third movie could've done for the Ripley character. I would've hated to see the family scenario James Cameron wanted to play out. The Aliens universe should be a dark and deadly one with no hope. Not an action-adventure about a mother, father and daughter who fight aliens. Fuck that shit!

 

[JB1981]

As a lover of Alien 3 as well, especially the assembly cut, that would've pissed me off something fierce. I'm totally on the opposite side of history though in that I think killing off Hicks and Newt was the best thing that third movie could've done for the Ripley character. I would've hated to see the family scenario James Cameron wanted to play out. The Aliens universe should be a dark and deadly one with no hope. Not an action-adventure about a mother, father and daughter who fight aliens. Fuck that shit!

I actually agree. The Ripley story was over by the end of Aliens. She defeated the aliens, conquered her demons and became a mother. There is nowhere to go from there for the character. Really, Weaver should have been left out of Alien 3 entirely. The Ripley/Hicks/Newt trifecta was a storytelling dead end and a little corny in retrospect

 

[Falchion]

Love the direction this is going in.

 

[shintoki]

I actually agree. The Ripley story was over by the end of Aliens. She defeated the aliens, conquered her demons and became a mother. There is nowhere to go from there for the character. Really, Weaver should have been left out of Alien 3 entirely. The Ripley/Hicks/Newt trifecta was a storytelling dead end and a little corny in retrospect

A little? It basically turned the franchise into a family space adventure with the pet Bishop. Unless the director's name is Black, I can't think of anyone who did a lot with kid actors. And the reason it works for him is, they are typically 50 year old men in a kid's body.

 

[Inceptional]

I actually agree. The Ripley story was over by the end of Aliens. She defeated the aliens, conquered her demons and became a mother. There is nowhere to go from there for the character. Really, Weaver should have been left out of Alien 3 entirely. The Ripley/Hicks/Newt trifecta was a storytelling dead end and a little corny in retrospect

I would agree with you in regards to the story being over if Alien 3 didn't so effectively posit her true arc as defeating not only the Alien once and for all but the company that destroyed her life as well. It's such a sad and poetic ending for that chatacter that it ends up perfectly fitting in with the themes of the first film, that you can't escape this fucking thing, it's death incarnate. But of course I've always preferred fucked up and depressing endings.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

70 year old Ripley and Hicks go for a jog with some monsters is not a good idea.

It's just not.

I don't know how people can complain about the lack of innovation and ideas in the Alien series and then simultaneously praise the anti-creativity that is at the center of "uhh... Just pretend the 3rd one didn't happen and bring back Ripley. Again."

"But 70."

That's not an idea. That's a fucking reflex.

 

[Possumowner]

I'm really liking what I've seen so far of Covenant,I also enjoyed Prometheus in parts.Fingers crossed tightly for this one

 

[Inceptional]

70 year old Ripley and Hicks go for a jog with some monsters is not a good idea.

It's just not.

I don't know how people can complain about the lack of innovation and ideas in the Alien series and then simultaneously praise the anti-creativity that is at the center of "uhh... Just pretend the 3rd one didn't happen and bring back Ripley. Again."

"But 70."

That's not an idea. That's a fucking reflex.

It's why I can't stand Resurrection. Killing Ripley was the best decision the franchise made. Bringing her back once was stupid, doing it twice would be a fucking travesty. Ripley is fucking dead. Leave her be.

 

[GamingKaiju]

Quite looking forward to Alien:Conenvant. I hated Prometheus at first but enjoyed it far more on a second viewing.

I'm glad they dropped the ripley/newt storyline in favour of Ridley Scott's vision. If blomfkamp was in charge it would be Aliens in South Africa.

 

[CorrisD]

I don't know much about the background of this one, I kind of gave up after Prometheus, but it just looks so far like a weird retelling of Alien. I assume some characters from Prometheus are going to show up at some point?

I'm probably in the minority for this opinion, but the actual premise of Prometheus is much better than if they had simplified it to something along these lines with a "throwaway" plot point about the ship we see in Alien. I like that they are digging into everything and explaining it.

From memory I believe from the script that leaked after film released that is exactly what it was originally about, that was the exact ship that they come across in Alien on the same planet and we were going to find out what had happened to spawn these creatures. Then that other writer came in and they went in a different direction.

 

[Inceptional]

Quite looking forward to Alien:Conenvant. I hated Prometheus at first but enjoyed it far more on a second viewing.

I'm glad they dropped the ripley/newt storyline in favour of Ridley Scott's vision. If blomfkamp was in charge it would be Aliens in South Africa.

Prometheus gets better every time I watch it, just like Blade Runner did. I hated both those movies when I first saw them, now those are two of the movies I re-watch most often. There's something about Ridley's sci-fi stuff, it's constantly rewarding, making you think about different things every time. That's truly great sci-fi.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Then that other writer came in and they went in a different direction.

Ridley and Tom Rothman had already decided to go in that different direction. They brought in the other writer to get it there and use him in the marketing.

 

[GamingKaiju]

Prometheus gets better every time I watch it, just like Blade Runner did. I hated both those movies when I first saw them, now those are two of the movies I re-watch most often. There's something about Ridley's sci-fi stuff, it's constantly rewarding, making you think about different things every time. That's truly great sci-fi.

Yeh Ridleys sci-fi stuff is some of the best I've seen. Terminator is another good addition. Hasn't aged well but the story and atmosphere still hold your attention and make for a enjoyable watch.

 

[wesleyshark]

It's why I can't stand Resurrection. Killing Ripley was the best decision the franchise made. Bringing her back once was stupid, doing it twice would be a fucking travesty. Ripley is fucking dead. Leave her be.

Agreed 100%.

Prometheus gets better every time I watch it, just like Blade Runner did. I hated both those movies when I first saw them, now those are two of the movies I re-watch most often. There's something about Ridley's sci-fi stuff, it's constantly rewarding, making you think about different things every time. That's truly great sci-fi.

My man. Prometheus gets better with every rewatch, for sure. There's a lot packed into the film, both visually and thematically. I just really enjoy it from end to end. It's one of those films that I will never get tired of seeing.

Hoping Ridley is continuing to channel that in Covenant.

 

[GAMEPROFF]

70 year old Ripley and Hicks go for a jog with some monsters is not a good idea.

It's just not.

I don't know how people can complain about the lack of innovation and ideas in the Alien series and then simultaneously praise the anti-creativity that is at the center of "uhh... Just pretend the 3rd one didn't happen and bring back Ripley. Again."

"But 70."

That's not an idea. That's a fucking reflex.

I have no problem with the lack of innovation, I even hate when they introduce new stupid alien-like things to have a new gimmick.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

I have no problem with the lack of innovation, I even hate when they introduce new stupid alien-like things to have a new gimmick.

That's not really innovation though. The entire back-burster idea screams "We've run out of ideas so lets go for shock value."

 

[GAMEPROFF]

That's not really innovation though. The entire back-burster idea screams "We've run out of ideas so lets go for shock value."

Yeah. Just wanted to say clearer that I am fine with a movie that is putting a couple of the good old Xenomorphs on a isolated area with a couple of people, then add another stake like a exploding nuclear reactor or the end of mankind and thats it. If its done well, I would love it.

 

[Inceptional]

Thanks for the reply's, I'm loving this thread. This is gonna be my go-to as Alien Covenant is my most anticipated movie of the year by far. Here's a link to a great site dedicated to the film. The link has a great rundown of things to expect from the film based on previous set-reports and quotes from Scott. Beware of spoilers though. I especially like Scott's quote of "They want aliens, I'll give them fucking aliens." An on-set quote apparently in regards to the reactions from Prometheus about the lack of monsters in the movie. So pumped for this flick! http://www.alien-covenant.com/news/...-report-reveals-clues-shaws-fate-and-lot-more

Edit: There's also mention of Shaw's possible fate for those curious that just can't wait. It sounds pretty gnarly.

 

[wesleyshark]

Thanks for the reply's, I'm loving this thread. This is gonna be my go-to as Alien Covenant is my most anticipated movie of the year by far. Here's a link to a great site dedicated to the film. The link has a great rundown of things to expect from the film based on previous set-reports and quotes from Scott. Beware of spoilers though. I especially like Scott's quote of "They want aliens, I'll give them fucking aliens." An on-set quote apparently in regards to the reactions from Prometheus about the lack of monsters in the movie. So pumped for this flick! http://www.alien-covenant.com/news/...-report-reveals-clues-shaws-fate-and-lot-more

Just when I thought I was hyped before.... Whew

Alien: Covenant is mostly practical effects

Favoring old-school filming techniques, Ridley Scott has kept most of Alien: Covenant practical, using CGI only to enhance existing work. He doesn't like CG blood either and opted for a number of old-school blood gushing techniques as well.​

^^^^

 

[Inceptional]

Oh my God! Spoilery fan theory about Shaw incoming...

Spoiler

OK, so based on what Ridley says, it's possible that Shaw morphs into the very first xenomorph right? Well, what if she is the first queen. David knows that all she wanted in Prometheus was to be able to give life. What kind of fucked up irony would it be if David finally gave her that ability, but the life she would be giving is to the final xenomorph phase, the perfect organism? Mind officially blown! Scott would totally do some fucked up shit like that and given his affinity for Cameron's Aliens, I can totally see him wanting to explain how the very first queen alien came to be.

 

[GAMEPROFF]

Oh my God! Spoilery fan theory about Shaw incoming...

Spoiler

OK, so based on what Ridley says, it's possible that Shaw morphs into the very first xenomorph right? Well, what if she is the first queen. David knows that all she wanted in Prometheus was to be able to give life. What kind of fucked up irony would it be if David finally gave her that ability, but the life she would be giving is to the final xenomorph phase, the perfect organism? Mind officially blown! Scott would totally do some fucked up shit like that and given his affinity for Cameron's Aliens, I can totally see him wanting to explain how the very first queen alien came to be.

Doesnt make sense. The Delericht on LV-243 is there for centuries. The Jockey is fossilizied.

 

[Anton Sugar]

no

I must be fucking weird, because the first gif is one of my favorite shots in Alien and I've never minded the big ol' hug that Dallas gets. Used to scare the shit out of me, actually.

 

[Inceptional]

Doesnt make sense. The Delericht on LV-243 is there for centuries. The Jockey is fossilizied.

I don't know if the math works out about fossolization but it's a known fact that the very first xenomorph is introduced in Alien Covenant so I'm not sure what your point is. These films are prequels to Alien so it totally makes sense...brofessor.

 

[EGM1966]

no

Those shots still look better to me as the Alien is there. I can tell that. There is no failure of rendering or movement or artificial blurring to reveal to my eyes its an effect. I know that odd bio-mechanical creature is right there next to the actors.

Of course the movement can't match the CGI as it's a guy in a suit but the sense of presence is far superior which for me trumps movement limitations if the shot is composed well (which these are IMO).

 

[Bumhead]

I must be fucking weird, because the first gif is one of my favorite shots in Alien and I've never minded the big ol' hug that Dallas gets. Used to scare the shit out of me, actually.

Same, I still think that shot with Dallas in the tunnel is one of the most impactful appearances the Alien ever makes. The scene itself is too quick and in the moment to be as silly (and admittedly funny) as that image makes out.

I enjoyed this trailer and think Covenant looks OK. Alien and Aliens are high points this franchise won't ever match again in the cinema (special distinction for Alien Isolation) so all I'm looking for is a functional Aliens movie. I honestly thinks this looks fine. It's definitely a cinema watch for me.

 

[Flipyap]

Doesnt make sense. The Delericht on LV-243 is there for centuries. The Jockey is fossilizied.

Yeah, but it also was a corpse and not a crappy plastic spacesuit in the first film. This is already a mess of really lousy retcons, one more isn't going to change much at this point.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

the idea of the Alien being a devious, thoughtful, weird and creepy little bastard is almost completely gone. For as dumb as rocks as Whedon/Jeunet made them in Resurrection, they still figured things out as the movie progressed, laying traps, problem solving, that kinda shit.

Now they're just dumb, shouty, slavering penisfaced animals.

 

[Inceptional]

the idea of the Alien being a devious, thoughtful, weird and creepy little bastard is almost completely gone. For as dumb as rocks as Whedon/Jeunet made them in Resurrection, they still figured things out as the movie progressed, laying traps, problem solving, that kinda shit.

Now they're just dumb, shouty, slavering penisfaced animals.

Dude, where do you live? I wanna know so I can go to the theater that's playing Alien Covenant so fucking early because you obviously already saw the movie to make a statement like that.

Edit: Also, if I'm not mistaken, weren't the aliens in Resurrection smarter because they had Ripley's DNA mixed into their own through the cloning process. They can't be compared to the more animalistic aliens in previous films, not to say they weren't sneaky little bastards in those as well.

 

[wesleyshark]

I've always thought of the xenomorph as a giant parasite- it's instinctively focused on sustaining itself and reproduction.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Edit: Also, if I'm not mistaken, weren't the aliens in Resurrection smarter

They weren't really smarter than the Aliens in ALIEN or ALIEN (or even Alien 3, really) but yes, that was the reason that was given in Resurrection, I believe. You seem to be misunderstanding my point, though: I'm saying they've gotten less creepy/intelligent/weird as the movies have gone on, and more towards basic reactive/instinctive animals. Which makes sense, I guess. The mystery surrounding any monster is stripped the more you mess with em. Doesn't make it less disappointing, though.

 

[Ushojax]

What's wrong with that?

It's dumb. In 1979 the alien was a perfect organism that humanity stumbled across in the darker reaches of space, it's mysterious origins added to the terror.

40 years later we find out that they were actually just an experiment by one of the company's bored robots. Oh and humans were also made in a petri dish too, by some giant bald humanoids. Get it? Who are the real Aliens?!? /Ridley chugs another pint of wine

 

[Screaming Meat]

You assume this is the creature you should be fearing.

 

[Anton Sugar]

Bobby may just be going off their last few appearances, post-Resurrection. The AvP movies and Prometheus don't really display any of the cunning or ingenuity they've shown in prior movies, although I honestly can't remember much of the first AvP.

And I can't recall any living organism making a smart decision in Prometheus.

They weren't really smarter than the Aliens in ALIEN or ALIEN (or even Alien 3, really) but yes, that was the reason that was given in Resurrection, I believe. You seem to be misunderstanding my point, though: I'm saying they've gotten less creepy/intelligent/weird as the movies have gone on, and more towards basic reactive/instinctive animals. Which makes sense, I guess. The mystery surrounding any monster is stripped the more you mess with em. Doesn't make it less disappointing, though.

Yeah, even the roach xenos of Aliens had some fantastic "smart" moments. The ceiling scene being one of them, and the queen was smart af.

 

[Tony Redgrave]

the idea of the Alien being a devious, thoughtful, weird and creepy little bastard is almost completely gone. For as dumb as rocks as Whedon/Jeunet made them in Resurrection, they still figured things out as the movie progressed, laying traps, problem solving, that kinda shit.

Now they're just dumb, shouty, slavering penisfaced animals.

Keep in mind this still isn't exactly the same Xeno that we saw in the 1976 movie, it's been said to be some kind of intermediate state which among other things is more biological than biomechanical, has elongated limbs and digitigrade legs.

 

[DeepDreamer]

Keep in mind this still isn't exactly the same Xeno that we saw in the 1976 movie, it's been said to be some kind of intermediate state which among other things is more biological than biomechanical, has elongated limbs and digitigrade legs.

Can't help but feel that's Walter's fate.

Still lots to see. The Engineers. David. The Engineer citadel. I think the reason they are happy to show the nascent ALIEN is everyone knows what it looks like, it's a bit of reassurance for fans of the original. Still not had a proper look at the Neomorphs yet. I'm sure there's an extra, big beast surprise in there waiting...

 

[Anton Sugar]

Also, regarding the less bio-mechanical look, it's not the first time a xeno hasn't had the back pipes and digitigrade legs:

In fact, didn't the digitigrade legs become somewhat the "standard" after Alien 3?

Alien 3 established that the host can change the xeno appearance. Doesn't quite make sense to me that a human host would cause the pipes to appear but a dog (or ox/cow) wouldn't but hey, who the fuck knows with this franchise?

 

[HellforLeather]

Alien 3 established that the host can change the xeno appearance. Doesn't quite make sense to me that a human host would cause the pipes to appear but a dog (or ox/cow) wouldn't but hey, who the fuck knows with this franchise?

Lets also not forget....

 

[GAMEPROFF]

They weren't really smarter than the Aliens in ALIEN or ALIEN (or even Alien 3, really) but yes, that was the reason that was given in Resurrection, I believe. You seem to be misunderstanding my point, though: I'm saying they've gotten less creepy/intelligent/weird as the movies have gone on, and more towards basic reactive/instinctive animals. Which makes sense, I guess. The mystery surrounding any monster is stripped the more you mess with em. Doesn't make it less disappointing, though.

Makes sense, the people in AvP were either idiots or uneducated, and the Xenomorph adapts the intelligence of their hosts ;-)They just need to have smart people in theE movies. Not so called scientists who go without helmets on alien planets.

 

[mckmas8808]

I'm super shocked that people didn't think that trailer was great. I LOVED IT!