"Prometheus" Review

by Kyle Huffman

Directed by: Ridley Scott
Written by: Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof
Produced by: Ridley Scott, David Giler, and Walter Hill
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green and Charlize Theron
Edited by: Pietro Scalia
Cinematography by: Dariusz Wolski

This review is coming out a bit late, compared to every other website/film blog on the Internet. I thought it was necessary we get up at least ONE opinion of this divisive film up, with Phillip possibly lending his voice to the discussion.

Anyways, Ridley Scott's latest has frequently topped "Most Anticipated for 2012" films' lists. Although it wasn't my top choice, it was in the top tier of choices. Sure, Ridley Scott's return to sci-fi is nearly enough to warrant it being so high. Alien was a bonafide classic and Blade Runner, albeit massively beloved, I found to be a bit of a dissapointment (I may need to give it another chance now that the hype bubble has collapsed). Many have focused a lot on the decreasing quality of Scott's films as of late. However, I found American Gangster and Body of Lies to be quite good, though I outright detested Robin Hood. Regardless, at this point, there are beyond dozens of preconceived notions when walking into a a Ridley Scott film, especially one that hearkens back to his Alien roots.

Thankfully, Prometheus lived up to the hype, for me at least. However, this isn't to say it didn't have minor, if at times significant problems. Working from a script penned by Damon Lindelof and Jon Spaihts, the film follows the journey of Prometheus, a ship on a mission to uncover mankind's origins. A classic case of faith vs. science, the main character Elizabeth Shaw must come to terms with whether or not her God is the same one she's searching for on this mission. Meanwhile, David, an android played by Michael Fassbender, has his own mission that's hidden for the majority of the movie but not all that dissimilar from Shaw's.

The opening sequence of the movie was easily among the most beautiful sights I've ever seen on a cinema screen. The rest of the movie is nearly just as gorgeous, further making the case why Scott is still one of cinema's purest and in-demand stylists. He can still direct action and horror very well and puts any naysayers to rest regarding the question if he's still "got it".

As hinted at earlier, the performances are diverse and pointed. Fassbender is the standout of the film, continuing to make the case for his meteoric rise to fame. Rapace is also terrific at delivering naive wonder and genuine terror, sometimes within the same scenes. The rest of the cast is good, if not sometimes head scratching. Charlize Theron is good at playing the always bitter and disciplined Weyland Corporation stooge Meredith Vickers. However, a revelation regarding her character towards the end seemed very unnecessary and pointless. Idris Elba seemed like an odd choice to play the ship's captain Janek, not because of any shortcomings as an actor, but because of the ridiculous Texan accent that he put off. Lastly, Guy Pearce playing an aging Peter Weyland was also unnecessary, as he was caked in makeup. Why couldn't they just cast an older actor? Knowing that Pearce was there just left me distracted.

Most of the problems I had from this film came from the sloppy, at times inept, plotting and occasional characterizations. Many are placing the blame at Lindelof's feet, as they are as popular as ever to shit all over, I suppose still in response to Lost. It should be noted that he re-wrote another guy's script, to what extent I have no idea. Regardless, the plotting was at times sloppy and off, with things occurring unevenly and nonsensically. Also, the characters sometimes behaved in questionable ways that left me wondering if these would be they're genuine reactions to the present situation(s) or if it was just bad writing.

However, I liked the questions that the movie brought up regarding God, faith, and science. The idea of the engineers were fascinating to me and I would love to see them revisited in a sequel of sorts. In the end, I think you get more out of this film when you think of it rather as it's own thing instead of a prequel to Alien. It's much more complex than that original film, even if I still hold the original in a higher regard. But this film is gorgeous to behold and will leave you with philisophical questions that could leave you debating all day.

Grade: B