Prometheus is the new horror film from master director Ridley Scott (Alien, Hannibal and the Academy Award-winning best picture, Gladiator). Originally conceived nearly ten years ago as the fifth part of the Alien series of films, Prometheus follows the spaceship Prometheus, as it heads toward the planet LV-223 in a quest to uncover the secrets of the origin of the human race.
The movie stars Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) as Elizabeth Shaw and Logan Marshall-Green (Across the Universe) in the role of Charlie Holloway, a couple who find a star map which seems to hold secrets to ancient history and the evolution of humans.
Funded by Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce, The Hurt Locker), a wealthy industrialist, the Prometheus is built in 2083 and launched on its ten-year journey to the distant world. At the helm is an android, David (Michael Fassbender, Inglourious Basterds), who pilots the ship to its destination while the human crew remains in hibernation. After waking from their deep sleeps, the crew is informed that their mission is to explore the planet at which they have arrived for signs of life which may have seeded the Earth with mankind. They soon discover life, which proves to be less than friendly toward the planet’s visitors.
I was a little disappointed in the character of David. He seemed to have too many human characteristics and not enough android ones. Although, he does state that he “…can carry out directives that my future counterparts might find distressing or unethical. I can blend in with your workforce effortlessly.”
Mission director Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron, Snow White and the Huntsman) delivered another fine performance in this film. Never for one moment did I doubt her character. Kudos.
The film cost $125 million to produce, and made $51 million dollars in its opening weekend . This placed it second in earnings for that weekend, behind Madagascar 3.
In addition to Ridley Scott, another genius behind this film is Damon Lindelof, who co-wrote the script along with relative newcomer Jon Spaihts. Lindelof is best known for his work as writer and producer of the ABC cult hit, Lost. Prometheus had much of the same feel as Lost, combined with spaceship sets that reminded me of an updated version of 2001. Once again in this film, Lindelof plays with the notion of proof vs. belief, as he did throughout his hit series.
The story starts out exciting and fresh, but becomes a little tired and dragged out by about halfway through, and there are few surprises. I’m also not sure that this film had to be shot in 3D. No scene made great use of it.
Scott and Lindelof are some of the most talented people in the movie business. Although this is a fabulous film, I was hoping for just slightly better from these two men, especially given the acting talent on board. I would recommend seeing the film, but waiting until you can see it at home.
