"Prometheus"
Directed by- Ridley Scott
Running Time- 124 mins
Rated- R
Director Ridley Scott brings back the look, feel and plot to the original “Alien” (also directed by Scott) in this prequel to the classic sci-fi pic . This movie is about a scientific expedition to an alien planet in search of the origins of human life on Earth that instead leads the crew of the Prometheus- the name of the space craft capable of inter-galactic travel- into danger at the hands of the same beings that created them. There are scientists at odds with soldiers and even an earlier humanoid robot with its own agenda. Mix in Scott's ode to Stanley Kubrick's “2001 A Space Odyssey” with the idea of cryogenic sleeping travelers and its existential issues of the nature of man and resilience of the human spirit.
The cinematography is award caliber with wide shots and sweeping landscapes that bring the volatile planet to life. However the plot is hard to follow at times and it only gets clarified at movie's end. And like all big action movies nowadays, the score is so loud it over powers the rest of the action.
The featured actress in the film is Oscar-winner Charlize Theron, who plays Meredith Vickers the head of the foundation funding the mission. Theron plays Meredith as icy as the humanoid named David played by Michael Fassbender. I kept waiting for a Blade Runner twist to find out she was a robot too. Theron's character seems to be extraneous and except for when we get to see her doing pushups half naked, she doesn't seem to add anything of value to the movie.
The main character is scientist Elisabeth Shaw played by Noomi Rapace. It is her desire for answers matched by the strength of her faith that is the driving force of the film. The other characters are just there to be killed off a few at a time.
Despite its devastating finale, “Prometheus” manages to end with a feeling of hope and the possibilities of more discoveries apart from the story of the original “Alien”. The movie's final moment though does reveal the direct tie-in to the “Alien” story that follows.
Knowing the movie is a prequel is half the enjoyment of this intense sci-fi thriller= because the movie is not advertised as a prequel. If it was I believe people would be more eager to see it. Otherwise it is a very good movie for techies and sci-fi action fans with some cross-over Kubric fans as well.
Review Grade- B+
