Comments (Page 233)

I really like the old style computer noises:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ywWFvjE-yU

I saw it in 1987 when it was still fresh and it still hasn't grown old for me. I wonder if someone who saw it for the first time on a blue ray might feel differently- "oh that looks so '80s".

ninXeno426 I re-watched Aliens a few weeks ago. Still has so many great moments.

Alien also feels like this atm. 

Borrowed from facebook

Being my favorite movie, I'm always a bit biased towards the film. As of now Aliens feels like The Last Jedi of it day. A new guy came in and added his own spin on the universe. Difference is it polarized next to no one at the time.

Aliens at times feels like it's the heart of the divide between The quadrilogy and Scotts prequels.

 The only thing I can fault Aliens on is that it is a victim of its own success and has developed a Nickelback-like stigma  for haters that love to hate on it for the sake of loving to hate on it.

It probably has aged the worst of the films because of its '80s action flick vibe. 

Much like hearing a Zeppelin song reminds you of the '70s, Matchbox 20 song reminds you of the '90s, and Limp Bizkit / Korn of the '00s etc

Aliens captures that '80s nostalgia which is thick in cheesy bravado and Corporate weaselness...  

But beyond that it is just as much awesome as the other films.

And if anything was the MOST expansive of the films ! 

I think it looks really really cool (specially for the price) but I'm not too convinced on the transparent head... I get they were going for the "Alien" look where you supposedly can see a human skull inside the xeno's head (I say "supposedly" cause I have never actually noticed that detail while watching the movie) but they shouldn't have made it totally transparent, it looks rather odd. Still, it's a great looking figure.

I think both egg morphing and hive can work. Depends if the xeno is alone or with the hive.

I love it.  I always thought the original alien had similar "tubes" to the inside guts of Ash and Bishop.  Makes perfect sense.  

I would also like to see an Ash model in a new movie to bring it full circle. 

Audience division and segregation will continue in any depreciating franchise until a unifying installment is produced that satisfies the audience, of which the Alien franchise is in need of. Because we need to satisfy both the general audience and the fandom, the list of franchise settling narratives should be kept to a bare minimum so as not to overwhelm general audiences, but with enough inferences and easter eggs to satisfy the fandom and all within a well executed, paced and developed narrative. This is by no means an impossible task, but it is a difficult one even for seasoned filmmakers.

As such BigDave, your list of required narrative beats needs to be shortened/simplified...

#1 - The conclusion of Davids arc. 

#2 - Definition of the Engineer mythology. Who/what are the Engineers? What is their relationship to the Xenomorph, humans and whatever is on LV-426?

#3 - The triumphant return of the Xenomorph. The Xenomorph needs to be executed with respect - an unseen, unstoppable force.

#4 - The human element. Through relatable, well written and well portrayed characters elements of the human backstory to the franchise need to be covered, or at the very least inferred; such as why the Nostromo will be used to execute Special Order 937 (corporate conspiracy), and why Weyland-Yutani desire the Xenomorph so much?

#5 - The mystery of LV-426; the origins of the derelict Juggernaut, it's pilot and its cargo.

As chli's preference on the Xenomorph's origins highlights some other aspects need to be left ambiguous. Only the necessary, rudimentary questions should be answered, and such answers need not be so specific.

For example, by somehow revealing (flashback, hieroglyphs, etc.) that the Engineers took eggs from the derelict Juggernaught on LV-426 and weaponized the Xenomorph into the black pathogen you infer the derelicts pilot may not be an Engineer, and that its cargo of eggs predates whatever David thinks he created, it also infers that the Engineers technology is also not their own.

I think it’s partly an issue about subgenres. To me, Alien is sci-fi horror. It’s not fantasy. It’s more realism. To me, what made Alien so frightening was that it had an air of realism to it, with Brett and Parker as mechanics working in greasy, dirty hallways and machine areas. There is a touch of fantasy connected to the works of Giger, but I experience them more as showing that there is an alien race who has built advanced spaceships. The creature is also “realistic” with a definite biological (rather than biomechanical) look. There are drooling jaws, stealth and smooth movements - a hunter, a predator, a deadly species. There is biology with sexual organs, eggs, bodily fluids, heat and moisture, and instincts, propagation and survival.

Scott chose not to show too much of neither the creature nor Giger’s art. The biomechanical style tends to get a bit surrealistic at times. If there is too much surrealism, you obviously lose the sense of realism and you might also lose the creepy feeling of almost being there. To me, the best sci-fi is realism set in the future and perhaps in a different area of the galaxy. There is new technology (but not too fanciful) and there are extraterrestrials (but not purple with green eyes).

I don’t think Scott was particularly interested in the biomechanical part, more the looks of the creature and the juggernaut etc. I think that Scott more saw the biological aspects: rape (facehugging), procreation, eggs, animal instincts etc. I don’t think that the biomechanical aspect of it is intended to be real - a blending of biology and mechanics (technology). It’s just some of the aesthetics (of which not much was shown in Alien).

So, I’m not in favour of a blending of David’s synthetic makeup with an organic egg (facehugger). We could also see in Alien: Covenant that the eggs didn’t react to his presence. I think I prefer to see the alien as a species who has evolved in a harsh environment rather than a created thing or a mixture of a robot (synthetic) and a biological organism.

In order for David to make it in time to LV-426, a juggernaut must turn up (on Origae-6). On Origae-6, David will build his “Eden” with his “Queen”. There would be no point in going to LV-223 or LV-426 since they are uninhabitable. The 2000 colonists know nothing of David’s rebellion but Daniels and Tennessee do (or will figure it out) so they are dead (experimented on).

So, in order to accomplish things within the time frame, a juggernaut is needed. However, it took David and Shaw about a year to reach Planet 4 from LV-223, so how fast is the juggernaut? It would seem it’s about three times as fast as human spaceships at the time. Anyhow, it would give David some time to build an army of “wolves” (in order to destroy everything in the galaxy) before the cavalry arrives (Engineers, Colonial Marines).  :)

https://youtu.be/Zm25s3T4SDM

The Relic.

I never get bored when i watch it.

 The Kothoga is an amazing scary Monster that loves to bite.

Compressorhead live!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gMX_hR-RoM

At least we have the entire play recorded with the possibility of a pro mix for DVD coming!

$30 is a good price point............but those huge feet and skinny legs just look all kinds of wrong.

The drool looks kind of neat though.

As far as PARADISE

Such a Name can be interpreted and used in any number of ways, are we talking Paradise as in the Engineers Home-world or the World of their Creators?

The Tag Line was:  The path to paradise begins in hell.

Which is from Dante... but regardless of that, this could be interpreted in context to ALIEN: Covenant that Planet 4 is the HELL and that this means it is NOT the place Paradise as we have YET to reach this Place!

That would be if you looking at it from the POV of David/Dr Shaw and their Odyssey in that Dr Shaw felt she would be taken to Paradise but she is taken to HELL instead!

But it also could be taken in context to the Covenant Mission, they were off to escape the Rotting Paradise of Earth in search for a NEW Eden/Paradise but they did not reach that Destination (Origae-6) instead they turned up at a World they may have thought could be a Paradise but instead was HELL for them.

In either case it could allow people to consider Planet 4 is NOT what we call Paradise.

Some could use the "Better to Rein in Hell" comment by David that indeed Planet 4 is NOT our Paradise, as this is the Place David reigns.  And thus is HELL.... its where those so called Fallen Angels came from too (Engineers).

This could mean however that the HELL that David wishes to rein in could yet be Origae-6

What it could be is that Planet 4 may have been the Paradise as far as Garden of Eden/Creation and that David had turned this Place into his HELL.

I think if we are to have ONE Concluding Movie, here are perhaps the things it would have to try and cover/achieve.

1) Either have Conclude or Indicate IF our David had or Did-Not Create what EVENTUALLY end up on LV-426

2) Would have to have the Xenomorph included even if this could be a Short Scene.

3) It would have to have some Xenomorph or Similar Scenes/Monsters.

4) It would have to try and Balance between a Bit of Action, and a bit of Horror.

5) It would have to keep some of the Space Adventure Elements of Prometheus.

6) It would have to cover the Engineers or at the Space Jockey Race (if Different).

7) It would have to have Human Characters, and they would have to be Well Written/Executed.

8) It would have to LOOSELY touch upon some of the Prometheus Themes, Creation, Sub-Creation, Knowledge/Technology (Taught or Stolen) Rebellion, Hubris, Pursuit of Perfection, Immortality.

9) Leave some Clues/Information to how Special Order 937 came about and what Knowledge of the Species does the Company Have and HOW.

10) Would have to CLOSE the Door to ALIEN but open up avenues for ALIEN related Future Movies set in the Year 2122 or Beyond.  While allowing the Door OPEN to explore other Aspects regarding the Engineers, their Creators, Creations and what other Horrors they have in Store or been a part of.

It would not Necessarily have to be about any of the Characters from the Prequels so FAR...

Trying to INCLUDE most of those 10 Steps, and Please EVERY Fan is going to be a Impossible Task, all they can do is come up with a Story they FEEL may please about 50% of the Varied Fanbase and Hope for the Best!

A Movie that should be some kind of Conclusion but leave it OPEN so that Future Movies can Branch Off as ALIEN Franchise related (Xenomorphs/LV-426)  and so be set around and after 2122 or just prior in the Time Line.

WHILE the and another that can Branch Off regarding the Engineers, their Hierarchy and such! and be free to be set in ANY Time-Line..... Past (prior to 2105) Present 2105-2175 or Future  Post 2180

You make a Spot On Point Gavin ;)

I really have to find where i put the Origins Novel, i had it but misplaced it (not read it too), but as far as i am aware the events happened about a year before the events of the Covenant arriving at Planet 4

I have tried a few Maps and there is NOTHING really as far as Star located at RA 3h 17m 8.0s Dec -62° 37 

Closest i could come to was to Zoom on near the Reticuli System.

Marked where Zeta 1 and Zeta 2 are, the BLUE Dot is a location that Matches where David sent the Advent Message from, which is RA 3h 17m 8.0s Dec -62° 37' but there are NO Stars at this Location... The closest TWO which i have marked in RED as A and B are.

A:  USNOA2 0225-00827988  03h17m27.85s/-62°36'15.1"

B:  USNOA2 0225-00825316  03h16m52.03s/-62°36'50.7"

Both in the Constellation Reticulum  but we have to remember this is the location in the SKY and TWO objects could be close in the Sky but further away from each other than say the 5th nearest object to the Objects in Question.

So we cant work out exactly HOW far Planet 4 is, but if we consider the Re-Charge Cycles it seems they are between 10-12 Months, and the Origins Novel was set a year prior to Alien Covenant and so Planet 4 would be within about 10-12 Months Travel from Earth for the Covenant which makes the Ship in about the Same Ball Park as the Nostromo as far as Speed (Nostromo likely being a little faster).

So we can assume that for the Covenant we can say Origae-6 is about 88 Months from Planet 4, while to Planet 4 is about 10-12 Months from Earth.

David will arrive on Origae-6 about April 2112 and if he was to leave right away (which dont make sense) and head to LV-223 we can assume he would arrive there about September 2119 give or take.

This means that LEAVES us with a Period of 30-32 Months (give or take) to take into account Time David Spends on Origae-6, Time Spent around the Zeta 2 System, and then Time the Derelict is on LV-426 when the Nostromo Turns up.

It is HIGHLY likely that IF we are to assume the Path Ridley Scott sets out where David is the Creator of the Xenomorph that leads to those Eggs on the Derelict.

1) David arrives at Origae-6 about April/May 2112, there he goes about what ever business he does and what kind of a world he would Build/Create.

2) A Number of years Pass and a incoming 1/2 Human Ships turn up over a period of Short Time (Span of a Movie) then the Engineers Rock Up!

3) One of the Engineer Ships that turn up to Origae-6 will at some point leave that system and head to Zeta 2 Reticuli

4) This Ship would either have the Cargo of Davids Eggs and be heading to LV-223 but ENDS up on LV-426, or this Ship will reach LV-223 and maybe Experiment/Evolve Davids Creation and then attempt to leave LV-223 but only get as far as LV-426.

Leaving a Few Years then before the Nostromo Turns Up!

There would be about a 10 Year Period for Points 1-4 to FIT in.  And Ridley Scott indicated that from when Covenant Ends to when Alien Starts he intended another 2-3 Movies.  Thats a Hard Push!

I would not be too Concerned as i think its Highly Likely we will NOT get a Answer to those Eggs, unless any NEW Alien Movie provides any information.... because i think any Continuation to Alien Covenant would be on INDEFINITE Hold!

And by the Time they offer one, or provide a Explanation in a Movie set around or after the time of ALIEN, then i think they would do another U-TURN and have those Eggs NOT be a Creation of Davids to Please Fans who are Up in Arms over it.

I would say a High% of Fans are displeased with that Direction of David is the Creator.

@ chli,

Sorry to nitpick, but June, not July 3rd, 2122, is When the Nostromo's crew was awoken in Alien.

The problem with figuring out and applying real-world science to most science fiction is that most science fiction uses science as superficial gloss or techno-babble icing.

Take Aliens for example. Hicks at one point says that they can expect a rescue in 17 days. Which would mean that the USS Sulaco was due to be back by a set date - let's say within a week? If the Sulaco has still failed to return 3 days after its scheduled return another Colonial Marine vessel would then be dispatched and arrive at LV-426 a week after it left Earth.

That much thought is likely more than what was applied to the "17 days" inclusion of the script. The arbitrary number of 17 days was plucked from thin air to highlight the helpless nature of the predicament the marines were in. Nothing more.

Yes, we can try to add real-world science to things, but that way madness lies. And remember that we are adding real-world science to a franchise that somehow possesses artificial gravity, Faster-The-Light space travel without time dilation, and hypersleep stasis technology that slows down the aging process. 

The Covenant crew awakens on December 5, 2104, a couple of weeks from Planet 4. So David probably sends the Advent message in January 2105 and he sets the course for Origae-6.

To Origae-6 and back again to the vicinity of Planet 4 would take about 15 years (with USCSS Covenant). To get from Planet 4 to LV-426 would take more than 3 years (it took 2,2 years to reach LV-223). That would make 18+ years (without any time at all on Origae-6).

David would then reach LV-426 (with a stopover at LV-223 to get a juggernaut) somewhere at the beginning of 2123. The Nostromo’s dropship sets down on LV-426 on July 3, 2122. David would, therefore, miss the party . . .

Way late to the party. I like the idea of Paradise being the last movie to close the story loop. I also like the idea of the subjective interpretation of "Paradise". 

It is also nice to know I am not alone considering the possible effects the black goo could have on David.

Where did this MAP come from?

I am not sure that we had been given any Co-Ordinates to Origae-6 but that System (Xi Aurigae) would maybe match the Journey Time of the Covenant if we consider Earth to Planet 4 took say 10-12 Months.

Using this Star Chart from say around when David likely send the Advent in Early Jan 2105, the Co-Ordinates of where he sent the Message falls within the same area as Zeta 2 Reticuli but this is the View from Earth, and it only indicates they are located within the same area of our Night Sky, it does-not mean that Planet 4 is 39-40 Light Years away.

The Covenant had 7 More Re-Charges before Origae-6 which would take 7 Years 4 Months to Reach, thats 88 Months.  That means before the Covenant has to make a 8th Re-Charge would mean that Origae-6 from Planet 4 would be 11 Months per Re-Charge....  so 7 Recharges at 11 Months apart would mean that last Re-Charge may JUST get to Origae-6,  if it was 10  Months per Recharge than 7 Re-Charges then they would Need to Recharge for a 8th time 8 Months away from Origae-6, if it was 12 Months per Re-Charge then they would arrive at Origae-6 with 8 Months Charge Left (if my Math is Correct).

so 11-12 Month Charge Cycles would be a Guess, If i am wrong, then i am a bit off i would say its still 10-12 Months Per Charge.

We dont know how FAR Planet 4 is only that it is not far in the Night Sky away from Zeta 2 so if we say 40 Light Years Give or Take then the Covenant would be in about the Same Ball Park as the Nostromo as far as SPEED.

So i estimate we talking a 40-50 Light Year Per Year Speed.     So it would mean that Origae-6 is about 330 Light Years from Planet 4 +/- 35 Light Years

So from Earth we could be looking at about 340-400 Light Year Ball Park...  But this is just a Rough Guess and my Calculations could be way off LOL

I think unless there has been any Official or Covered in Books indication to what system Origae-6 is, then all we can go by really is that it is 88 Months away from Planet 4, and its like the Covenants Total Journey Time from Earth would have been 96-102 Months. (does the Origins Novel give a Date of Departure?).

I think the only thing to consider really is that indeed we are say 17.5 years from Alien and IF those Eggs are from Davids Creation then if the Process of those Eggs becoming the Ones in ALIEN happens on Planet 4 then we are left about 17.5 years to play with, if they are Evolved on LV-223 then this would surely give David a few weeks/months less.

But IF he goes to Origae-6 then he has 10 years to get them from Origae-6 to LV-426/223 which Logically means the Derelict must be on/arrive at ORIGAE-6 at some point during those 10 years.

As we could safely assume from Origae-6 to LV-223 would eat up another 7.5 years or so of that remaining 10 year period.

That DOES-NOT leave much time to FIT in the Plot of HOW/WHEN those Eggs get on the Derelict considering the Ship Does-Not look like its only been there for Months!

I think i recall from somewhere that the Draft (which i have not read/found yet or bothered to) to a Earlier Alien Covenant/Crossing had Origae-6 as located about 250LY from Earth.

Taking that more into account then Xi Aurigae or 42 Aurigae could be ideal contenders for Origae-6  but so could 60 Aurigae and HD 34790

"However, I understand why people hated it"

It stood and regarded David in a quasi Jiminy Cricket/Pinocchio moment. It seemed like one of those things that would work in a book but was cheesy on screen. 

Looking at some YT comments, it seems there may be a pro level DVD coming out.

I watched this video and it was very well done- I had forgotten how cool live theater could be.

I will have to get to work on making that post chli ;) (not sure the ALIENS Fans gonna like it though LOL)

Regarding a Bring the Gang back... maybe if they have some plausible Explanation for how we have TWO Alternative Alien 3 Time-Lines, i am not sure the Destruciton of Hadleys Hope would be enough to Cause a Tear in Time/Space... so the  alternative FORK in the Road trick would have to be applied... where Fans can choose which route they prefer or maybe like the both to Co-Exist.

My concerns with this or even a explanation to it (like Tear in Space) would be that where would Disney then Stop?  Lets make a Alternative Prometheus?  Remake ALIEN in a Cameron Style?

IF we do get a Reboot of ALIEN 3 for Nostalgia what if the movie SUCKS? or does not do well, it could Damage the Franchise...  Over the years we have seen some reaction to Nostalgia..   Reboot Total Recall, Fans not happy, then some thinking we should get a Total Recall 2 thats a Sequel to the First Movie (Bring Arnie Back).  Then look at Robocop Reboot, now its a (Blomkamp) lets make a Direct Sequel to the Original with same Actors from the 80's, Ghostbusters reaction... we need a Direct Sequel to Ghost Busters 2 (bring the Gang Back),  Instead of learning from the Reboot Mistakes and IMPROVE on it with a Sequel..

As going for the Nostalgia bring Gang Back options may work but if they also suck then they leave Said Franchises a bit Dead in the Water!

I am looking forwards to a Masters of the Universe Reboot... wonder if that sucks and people be like bring back Dolph Lundgren LOL  looks like they was going for a very Dark Version that would appease to the Original Fans (Cartoon Series) but offer a Grown Up (Dark) Version now that those Fans would be in their 30s+..  But more likely we get a Re-Introduction to the Franchise for a NEW Wave of 8-13 year Olds!

PS Sorry for going Off-Topic.

"However, I understand why people hated it"

To be fair some of those who disliked it also was not too Happy about David being the Creator and so the difference in the Chest Bursters could be the Silver Lining on that Cloud because it can be used to argue THIS cant be the same Xenomorph as in ALIEN, which it is not, but could Evolve to be, but leaves it open for Disney to show us in Future that Actually its NOT his Creation on LV-426.

I would actually welcome that, as it means maybe Davids Creation could Evolve into something a bit different than the Norm!

I will just leave it here. When you wish upon a star.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2zzXBg3FcI

I Raptus Yes, that observation was made quite a bit in YT comments. Good catch.

That test was amusing to a degree.

It was great to finally have a translucent version of the Alien, albeit a miniature one.

I thought that the rod puppet looked amazing, the guys from Odd Studios produced some brilliant work for Covenant. It was the CGI overlay, (as with some of the other creature scenes) that made it less than convincing.    

However, I understand why people hated it, or felt it didn't make sense, or was out of step with the Chestbursters we are used to.

Concerning the discussion about whether David created the xenomorph (the eggs found by the crew of the Nostromo on LV-426), here's an image of the distances between the places of interest. It's 18 years between the happenings in Alien: Covenant and Alien.

I think it’s an interesting idea, Gavin, which would make a captivating film. It’s important to get interesting characters. It would be possible to get Ripley, Newt and Hicks (the gang) back if Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection were just bad dreams (Ripley wakes up in the med bay on Gateway once more). But perhaps it would be best to leave them out of it?

I hope you are well enough to conclude Alien: Vanguard, BigDave? It’ll be interesting!

I kind of agree, the Mimicking of David seemed odd, but i could understand it was to indicate that David was the Puppet Master to his Creation.

I really did like the Translucence of the Chest Buster and its a shame the Adult was not the same but this would have required Total CGI for the most part, as to make a Suit that would appear as such would have to make the Xenomorph appear more Bulky due to being a good Few Inches Thicker in every department (Tail, Dorsal Tubes and Head excluded). 

Close Ups could have used a Animatronic instead but a combination of that and CGI would certainly have added a LOT to the Budget.

"eaten away by the molecular acid. Then from the hole, a Chestbursters head hangs, dead"

I think thats a interesting addition that we Have-Not seen before, even if something like this was shown as you explained (Defective, Failed Chest Busters) or someone had attempted to Abort/Kill the Process via taking some kind of Chemical that Causes a Chest Burster to attempt to escape prematurely while dying..  A scene where we see Acid Burn a Hole in the Host and a Partially Formed or Partially Dissolved Chest Buster pushes its way through... something we have yet to see in the Franchise ;)

I think it would be interesting to see the EGG MORPH, we did see it in Alien Directors Cut, but it would interesting to see this again (this time to completion). I suppose using the 1979 Xenomorph for this would indicate a different Procreation to each of the different Xenomorphs we have seen, you would have to then wonder what kind of Procreation does the Runner from Alien 3 have?

The Rediscovery of the Derelict would also allow us to introduce a different kind of Xenomorph too, because having the idea that the ALIENS and ALIEN Eggs are different Cargo Holds sounds viable, and its even what is indicated from ALIEN: ENGINEERS (Prometheus early draft) where there was 8 Different Cargo Holds/Xenomorph Variants.  We could ponder what other kinds of Twist on Procreation could they have?

The Revelation of the Space Jockey could work, as we never knew how old it was prior to Alien Covenant (which has not concluded the prequels so the Space Jockey is open for debate).  The Prometheus Engineer Suits lacked the same Color so they was either Different, or the Space Jockey looked like it had been DEAD a lot more than the 2000 years that the Engineers were.

You would have to be careful how you handle that though, and you would have to maybe indicate more clues to David's Xenomorphs not being those on the Derelict, but a conclusion of merely the Space Jockey had been DEAD for 10'000, 100'000 or MUCH longer would mean its likely the Eggs were not Davids but it would leave it open for some to Speculate that David takes his Eggs to that Ship.

But of course any reveal that this Ancient Race had created those Eggs a LONG LONG time prior would do the trick... as far as the Space Jockey the Options would likely have to be that it is some kind of Bio-Mechanical Being just as the Xenomorph was (also like Sil from Species), or that it is a Bio-Mechanical Suit but the Bi-Pedal Occupant is NOT so Human looking, but also regardless we could introduce a 10ft Species the Difference to ALIEN could then be put down to "it grew out of the chair" a 12 Foot Space Jockey would NOT need to use that explanation though as the Space Jockey was likely about 12-15ft Max.

I think having a Movie that has the Balance of Action and Horror would be ideal, you would also have to try and get some of the background of Prometheus in it, but as a NONE Prequel (well that does not follow on from Prometheus/David) then i guess you dont have to incorporate much Philosophy/Creation Elements etc. I think including information on or even have Engineers in the Movie would get Prometheus Fans on board.

@daliens

Thanks ;) i will get to it as soon as possible.

Thanks- I will check out for sure when I have more time.

I'm going to be bluntly honest here (for a change, - sarcasm -), and it'll be interesting to see others opinion, but the Chestburster born from Oram is one of the worst Chestbursters put on film. In all honesty when I first watched Alien: Covenant I could hear the Thunderbirds theme in my head... and when it raised its hands, mimicking David I literally facepalmed.

I would say the Chestburster scenes improved with each movie (AvP's not included), with Shaw's C-section and the Deacon's birth being the best executed to date, although the Chestburster scenes from Alien and Aliens are the best classic Xenomorph Chestburster scenes, IMO.

Ironically the Backburster effects were well executed, but the performance and choreography felt too generic.

To help bring the thread back on topic,

We have three options...

#1 - The eggs remain undamaged.

#2 - The eggs have been destroyed.

#3 - The eggs remain, but are damaged.

Option one doesn't really change anything and contradicts Alien: Resurrection, while option two leaves us dead in the water. Option three, however, gives us something to work with, from a creative standpoint...

Alien 3 was set immediately after Aliens, which was set in 2179, so lets put a new movie 30 years later, which would be 2209. LV-426 is now a Weyland-Yutani research and development outpost, guarded by an executive branch of the colonial marines. The marines are there in case of emergency and to keep out the salvagers, who are stripping what remains of Hadley's Hope for scrap.

Inside the outpost, WY has finally gotten their prize - the derelict Juggernaut and its cargo of thousands of Xenomorph eggs. Sadly for WY, however, it seems all of the eggs have been corrupted by radiation, with most Chestbursters unable to birth themselves...

Imagine, like in Alien: Ressurection, a prisoner bound and unconscious with an open egg before them. They wake, screaming in agony before falling silent, their head lulling as blood soaks their chest, and then the recognizable "jutting out" of the ribs, but it is not as pronounced as we have come to expect. The prisoners bloodied chest then begins to smoke and sizzle, a hole slowly appearing and growing, eaten away by the molecular acid. Then from the hole, a Chestbursters head hangs, dead; the interior organs of its head visible from an open wound.

Another scene of interest could be an autopsy on the Space Jockey, to reveal that he is millions of years old and most definitely not an Engineer - raising the questions of who/what was this creature and are there anymore, similar vessels out there yet to be discovered.

We then show WY being more attentive to the Xenomorph, surgically removing them from hosts and producing somewhat stabler specimens, though lo-and-behold, even these specimens are corrupted and of no use to them. This could be where it is revealed why they desire the organism so much - the technology of reprogrammable cellular nano particles AKA the black pathogen, which is in part what the Xenomorph is composed of. But the radiation on LV-426 has corrupted everything at a cellular level, with the cells gradually breaking apart.

Inevitably the stabler specimens, of which there is only a handful, escape and all hell breaks loose. But these specimens are not the ones encountered by Hadley's Hope, Fiorina 161, or (in 200 years time) the USM Auriga - the royal specimens stored in the Juggernauts arms were depleted when Hadley's Hope fell, with the Queen producing subsequent eggs for that colony, and all of which were then destroyed in the detonation of the atmosphere processor. The specimens WY have been attempting to harvest are from the Juggernauts cargo hold, discovered by the USCSS Nostromo in 2122, and are a different, non-eusocial variant, that is much more aggressive and intelligent, and capable of siring their own young by transforming a host into an egg.

Egg-morphings back baby...

From there you move away from the exposition and freak show to the Aliens getting loose. But by having the Xenomorphs cutting the power and plunging the facility into darkness and having the Xenomorphs use said darkness to stealthily incapacitate and capture the WY executives, scientists, Colonial Marines and inevitably the salvagers - AKA the aesthetic of Aliens done as a dark horror movie a la Alien.

BigDave I hope you feel better now and lookong forward to reading the Alien: Vanguard (on a new topic).

"So, the table is set for Blomkamp"

Absolutely as far as IF the Eggs are there regardless if David Created them, the Engineers or Ripleys Grandmother ;) (joke by the way).

I context to the Derelict Cargo that was there in 2122, then indeed after 2179 we cant rule out the Derelict as being Salvageable, if the Studio want to make a New Movie they would choose this route anyway (likely) and as LV-426 never went BANG like the Death Star, then its viable the Derelict can be Salvaged.

I would be open to Blomkamps Ideas baring in mind they originally NEVER had Ripley and the Gang..  i think bringing the Gang Back and so that ALIEN 3 does-not exist and Alien R to a extent (work that around a Blomkamps Alien 3) would be a MISTAKE and just a Nostalgia Trip for Fans who Lament for how Alien 3 killed them off.

New Alien Movie... recover Derelict.... WHY NOT! 

Bring back Ripley and the Gang.... No Thanks!

UNLESS.... they do a Ripley Movie that is a Alien 5 thats set after Alien Resurrection.  I had a idea for this well TWO and one was from years ago, the other a variation of it that would BRING Back just Newt (Clone) from those killed in Alien 3 but with a Twist that well ALIENS Fans would maybe not like.  (would also have Ripley of course and a way around her AGE Difference).

Alien: Vanguard was what it was to be but i have been Unwell recently and busy and i never got time to post my idea on here as intended for Alien Day.. i hope to post it in the next 7 days.

Regarding the Daniels vs Shaw debate...

I have not seen as many of Watertons Performances as they are  movies that never appealed to me as far as MUST see, but i think the same thing goes with Rapace and her Character.   The Prequels were not the best written Characters or Performed, yet both Actresses are capable of better than they did.  Is this the Writers Fault, Directors or just a case of one of their lesser Performances.  I know some Fans would love to see Miss Weaver back but i dont recall many Stand Out Performances since the 2000's, she is capable of a Decent Performance Still i think regardless who is CAST its the Characters Written for them and the Input/Influence of the Director to get the best from them that counts.

Regarding the Deacon i looked at it as being Human Hybrid in terms of how it was Born (Placenta) and Fully Formed.

And so i would have assumed when Fully Grown the Creature would look similar just Snarl a Lot more and be like 10-12ft Tall. (Birthed from Engineer).  Maybe if we look at the Human Traits the Deacons Head to Body Proportions could maybe Differ a bit when its Adult (like a Human Baby vs Human Adult).

As far as what happened to the Deacon?  In context to the Movie Franchise who knows...  The Movie seemed to suggest it maybe had a 4-5 Day Gestation Period, which we can assume that Dr Shaw went back and saw the Dead Trilobite and Engineer and assumed both was DEAD and then this is when she had plenty of time to Collect Supplies for The Crossing, unless we assume by Pure Luck she found all of these from the Prometheus Exploded Wreckage.

"the relations are not quite as straight forward as you claim. In many myths I know there is a personification of the primordial Chaos"

Certainly there is quite a lot to each Mythos and Many Cultures/Mythos and Religions do share quite a lot of similar things, maybe its a case of Ticking Off the things they have in common and then sticking a HP Lovecraft Twist to them with a Dose of HR Giger Aesthetic.

The Virtue of exploring various Creation/God Mythos is it allows for a Very Rich and Broad Pot of Ideas to be looked at, but then it can also become a bit Complex when trying to Pick Which to loosely base the Franchise off and which to not.

I think Prometheus does seem to tease a bit more of a Biblical/Paradise Lost take, but i think they should not overlook the Prometheus Aspect as far as the Greek Titan.

The Fresco is something open to interpretation i looked at it as being Punishment to Prometheus.. now in context to Prometheus this could imply NOT a single being but maybe a Race of beings or Sect.

I was kind of drawn to looking at this the same way as the NEXT Layer..  Going back to Prometheus.. if we indeed assume the LV-426 Eggs were intended for Mankind, but this Mission Failed..  and Mankind now sought out the Bio-Weapon intended for them to use to their Advantage would the Xenomorph purely have only the use as a Bio-Weapon?

So could the Engineers (or those LV-223 ones) had upset their Hierarchy and been sent something as Punishment that they then eventually saw as a Potential to Improve themselves?   I think a Problem with this would be the Bio-Mechanical Ships, and IF they are Reverse Engineered from the Xenomorph or connected, then we have to ask WHY was those Planet 4 Engineers not punished too?  Prior to Alien Covenant it was a theory that made a bit more sense.

@Gavin

"suggesting such Chosen few are augmented in some way"

Certainly seems that way, when we saw Prometheus we saw that the LV-223 Engineers had this Bio-Mechanical Technology and had to ask where did this come from?  Created, Stolen or Reverse Engineered?

Alien Covenant introduced us to the Planet 4 Engineers who were just NOT as Awe Inspiring and looked more like Human Hybrids, we pondered was the differences just LAZY and Budget Cutting...  Who knows what the intention was.. but Ridley Scott came out and said that those beings are the Originals, when he talks about AI and mentions Replicants, then maybe we could ponder that the Prometheus Engineers are Augmented Planet 4 Engineers, are they a Sub-Created/Engineered version, a Selection of those Engineers who Evolved themselves, but was this permitted?

And what was the Method of this Genetic Augmentation and could this connect to the Black Goo or DNA/Traits of a Organism connected?

Regarding David indeed maybe he could be Redeemed... the Prometheus David, the Crossing David and the TRAILER SONG could lead us to ponder would he had turned out the way he had, if he had been treated KINDLY?

"if we are kind, it will be a kind world"

His response to Daniels (as Walter) when asked what kind of World can they Build.   The SEQUEL was intended to be about what kind of a world David would create/build and in this he could maybe Redeem himself.

Because on the Basis of it, we could see WALTER is not Evil as he has No Free-Will, but with Mankind we have Free-Will and our Upbringing can Shape the Person we are.. this could have affected David... but also if we consider how KIND is Mankind as far as following the Ways/Rules that a God would have set out, then a Large % would offend the Gods in todays world.   Maybe David could Create a New Civilization that is Free from Sin of Mankind.   We also have Damaged our Planet, imagine if a God came to visit us 3000 years ago, and then look at the World Today?  This is why the Covenant Crew were attempting to escape the Rotting Paradise of Earth to try and find a NEW Eden..

Maybe the Engineers had a Industrial Bio-Mechanical Revolution and realized the Damage/Hubris this caused, and so they Returned to a more Basic Life... like the Amish and Monks do etc.