Official Poster, via Prometheus-Movie.com

I have been struggling with myself over the last week about what I can say about this movie. I will start with the short version. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Was it without it’s problems? No. I believe there are a few plot points that need to be filled in (Ridley Scott has made it known this was intentional so they could have sequels) and some of the characters’ motives were questionable, but it was on the whole enjoyable. The problem with me enjoying it is… well… let me explain.

I will get straight to the point and answer the question everyone wants to know: Is this a prequel to the “Alien” franchise? Yes and no. Ridley Scott HAS returned to the “Alien” universe, but calling this a direct prequel is unfair to what Scott is trying to accomplish. I feel it would be better to consider this the building blocks to a prequel. This is set a few decades ahead of the events of “Alien.” A perfect example of the differences is the fact that Weyland-Yutani Corporation, the antagonist (along with the xenomorph) of the franchise, is still only the Weyland Corporation. However, time period is not the only difference.

“Alien” is, in my opinion, not only one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever filmed, but also one of the greatest horror movies. Scott created such a sense of dread and despair aboard the Nostromo in the first film. The lack of music and the increased focus on ambient noise (chains rustling, floors creaking, etc) just added to that sense of pure terror. The best thing about it was that he never went for the cheap scare often. When we would expect that big, emotional scare payoff… he would draw the fear out a little longer. It was a true masterpiece. (I plan to go in more depth in a later post)

The reason I breakdown “Alien” in such depth is because so many people will go in expecting the same kind of movie. I can understand their reasoning: Same universe, same director, same movie. What viewers need to realize going in is that this isn’t the same kind of movie. It was never intended to be. Truthfully, there is more in common between “Prometheus” and “Aliens,” the equally superb sequel to “Alien” done by James Cameron. What I mean is that while there are a few scares and suspensful moments, there is a heavier focus on action. However, even that is an unfair comparison.

“Prometheus” is truthfully unique for the franchise. It exists in the franchise to begin to explain some of the questions posed by other entries in the franchise. We begin to understand the origins of key creatures and races, we see the path that would lead the Company to order the Nostromo to land on LV 426 beginning, and we finally learn how important the Space Jockeys are.

“What are you talking about? Who is this ‘Powder’ you speak of?”

“Prometheus” is a movie built on the performances of Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender. Rapace, as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, is a hero worthy of Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley. Every bit of emotional turmoil and physical danger Shaw went through I felt too. Rapace really shows her skill during a truly grisly “surgery” during the movie. (You will know it when you see it) For my money, it is one of the most intense scenes of the entire franchise, not to mention the movie. If not for Rapace’s great performance, the scene would have come off as hokey and very much slasher flick.

In a summer movie season full of great heroines, Shaw is the one I am most excited to see again.  She is a character that is bright, emotional, and fragile like us. Yet, she finds the strength and determination to fight against certain death.

And then, there is…

Michael Fassbender. I absolutely loved him in both “Inglorious Basterds” and “X-Men: First Class.” He received raves about his talent and his… “talent” in the movie “Shame.” Now, as the android David, he is spectacular once again. Cold, intelligent, calculating, dangerous: Fassbender embodies all of David’s attributes. I’ve read elsewhere that Fassbender studied Scott’s movie “Blade Runner” and it’s replicants to prepare for “Prometheus” rather than the androids from the other Alien films. I feel this made the character of David exactly what it needed to be. Fassbender wasn’t imitating Ash, Bishop, or Call… he made a unique entry into the history of the “Alien” androids.

What I loved about Fassbender’s antagonistic performance is that he played a villain that wasn’t evil. He was not immoral, but rather amoral. In a movie industry where so much money is made from retelling good vs. evil in different ways, it was refreshing to see a character that performed heinous and questionable acts not because he was malicious, but out of a desire to observe and please his creators. Fassbender’s performance is what makes this distinction possible. In the hands of a less capable actor, it would have been easy to make David the sinister and twisted villain of the piece. Instead, we have a wonderful character that we are horrified by… but at the same time don’t hate. It is an amazing balancing act that makes the movie for me just as much as Rapace’s performance.

The other actors play their parts well, especially Charlize Theron. The only problem I had with Theron’s performance is that she came off as too stiff at points, but much of this can probably be attributed to her character.

The setting of LV 223 is fabulous. It is an alien world that seems strange, but at the same time familiar. The sets are fabulously designed and give an ominous, uneasy feeling to those watching without being overpowering. Also, yes, I said SETS. There was very little CGI in the movie (mostly space scenes) and to actually see the actors and actresses walking in these massive areas instead of in front of green screen was a return to REAL Hollywood magic that isn’t seen enough.

You have read me rave and rave about this movie, so you probably think I am going to give it a perfect rating. However, I can’t. As I get to my rating, I come across the most glaring problem with the entire movie. If you haven’t noticed from how I have been talking, I am a huge fan of the “Alien” franchise, and it is with that skewed perspective that I have been describing this film.

Being completely objective, I do not know if a non-Alien fan, or simply someone who has never watched the “Alien” movies, would enjoy “Prometheus” as much as I have. No matter what kind of fan you are, “Prometheus” is a very good sci-fi film that I would recommend seeing, but if you are not an “Alien” fan, I don’t know if it is a film you have to see in theaters. Add this in with the plot holes that are supposed to be filled in later installments, I cannot give this a perfect score. I’ve decided to give two different ratings based on fandom level. Please pick the one that applies to you.

For fans of the Alien franchise:

“Prometheus” is a movie you need to go see in theaters. It has great acting, great sets, and begins to explain some of the questions that we have asked since the Nostromo touched down. A solid 4/5

For non-fans:

I would recommend seeing this if you enjoy sci-fi. However, if you aren’t a particular fan of the actors or the director, I would probably just wait until you can RedBox it. 3/5

So there is my opinion on “Prometheus.” Stay tuned for when I post about two of my favorite movies “Alien” and “Aliens,” as well as my thoughts on “Alien 3” and “Alien Resurrection,” continuing…

Until next time, I’ll see ya’ at the movies!