When Ridley Scott directed Alien way back in 1978, the sci-fi genre had been turned upside down by the optimistic and cuddly Star Wars. Alien was the opposite, presenting a more realistic and frightening take on what could be in a galaxy far, far away. The titular creatures were called Xenomorphs and brought fear into the hearts of moviegoers everywhere. Combine that with the awesomeness of Ellen Ripley, great acting and a tense atmosphere, and it’s no wonder the film is a classic. 34 years later, Ridley Scott returns to the genre that he, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas popularized, and also gives a new perspective to the alien universe. Is this a new beginning for the franchise, or is it game over, man?
Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) has always been curious about where humanity came from. Clues found from centuries ago point to potential extraterrestrial beings helping humanity during the dawn of man…and also show where to find these beings. She, along with her boyfriend (Logan Marshall-Green), android David (Michael Fassbender), pilot Janek (Idris Elba), tough-as-nails corporate head Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) and a ragtag group of scientists venture to a distant planet home to dormant beings with great power. However, their actions put into motion a calamity that has the potential to destroy Earth…and change how we think of our creators.
Let’s make it clear now: Prometheus is TECHNICALLY a prequel to Alien…hints at the Xenomorphs appear, and the same corporation that hired Ellen Ripley in Alien funds this expedition. But that’s about it, and that’s a benefit to the film. It works wonderfully as a standalone flick with questions that will surely ire up controversy and conversation. The ideas present here are fascinating, though it gets too big for its britches several times during the adventure, with it asking things that not only it does not answer, but probably cannot answer. Maybe that’s intentional, but considering the hit-and-miss career of its screenwriter Damon Lindelof (he wrote Cowboys & Aliens, The Darkest Hour and the controversial series finale of Lost) I believe it’s more of this film having plot holes. Also, its creators are more interested in posing the inquiries than answering them. Still, I’d rather take a summer flick that aims too high and falls than something like Battleship that just sits there and does nothing.
The previously mentioned script contains some unforgivable faults though…cliché dialogue runs rampant (a “romantic” scene involving Shaw and her boyfriend is in desperate need of Aaron Sorkin level writing), stupid decisions by characters (splitting up and getting lost despite the fact that you have a map your companions who can look at for you) and idiotic deaths (one major character’s demise towards the very end made me audibly laugh in the theater) bring the film from becoming something truly great. Stuff like Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, The Avengers or Rise of The Planet of The Apes aren’t devoid of stupid moments, but they at least have consistently fascinating ideas and/or fun to keep the proceedings going. Since Prometheus lacks true fun or even answers, it resembles The Tree of Life more than the original Alien.
Not to say the film is bad. On the contrary, the flick definitely is better than the average sci-fi flick. The acting from Noomi and Michael is fantastic, the latter more than anyone else, showing off gravitas and beauty in the performance of the android, put into situations and places that are far beyond him, yet he still manages to be about a few steps ahead of his human cohorts nonetheless. An early scene showing David simply watching movies and hanging out alone make the underdeveloped crew seem even weaker in comparison. Idris Elba does fine in his role, though he’s wildly inconsistent. Then there’s guy Pearce, playing the octogenarian owner of The Weyland Corporation, the company funding the mission to the alien planet. Why he was cast as an old person, despite Guy Pearce being only 45 is bewildering to say the least, as is his terrible old age makeup. Charlize Theron is pretty wooden in her role, though at least she shows sensibility and reason during the voyage unlike the rest of the crew.
The aliens look cool, and I loved the more squid-ish ones that actually provide the films only real tension and thrills. Despite their adept ability to bring the chills, I wish they had been puppets like the original Xenomorphs instead of fake looking CGI. The various settings in the film look gorgeous, and several frames of the flick would make a fantastic painting. The film easily succeeds visually, if not story-wise.
Those looking for a horror flick will be disappointed (the films R ratings is stupid, The Hunger Games is more violent and intense than this) and even those looking for a big ol’ action movie will be left wanting more. Still, if you are looking for a thoughtful movie with several moments that are thrilling and action packed and you should be satisfied. Just be sure to do two things: keep your expectations in check (mediocre reviews prior the flick kept mine in line) and try not to trip over the gaping plot holes.
