Bottom line: it's not as good as "Alien" or "Aliens" but far superior to "Aliens 3" and "Alien:Resurrection". And David, the robot, is way cool and endearingly creepy.
"Prometheus" was the summer movie Flannista was most excited about and it did not disappoint, even if every single character does something ridiculously stupid, like opening pod bay doors when they don't know what's on the other side or touching black goo even when told, "Don't touch that!"
Director Ridley Scott (who also directed the original "Alien") had teased "Alien" junkies like Flann for the past several months claiming that "Prometheus" was NOT a "prequel" to "Alien" but shared "the same DNA".
Make no mistake: this is a prequel. It is more grand than "Alien" in its stunning visual scale and focus on some big, metaphysical questions about the origin and ultimate fate of humanity, including a question of truly existential dread: "Why does our Creator hate us?" (It is never answered, by the way, so look for a sequel to the prequel.)
But the ick factor is still very high with gooey, slimy creatures that penetrate orifices and impregnate foolish crew members, leading to a viscerally disturbing scene of self-inflicted surgery that rivals the infamous chest-busting scene in "Alien". All to say, don't try this at home.
Perhaps most disappointing is that Sigourney Weaver's character, Ellen Ripley, is nowhere to be found or even hinted at. Yes, the film's protagonist, Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, played by Noomi Rapace (the girl with the dragon tattoo in the Swedish adaptations of the Stieg Larsson trilogy) has superhuman strength, but Elizabeth, I know Ellen Ripley. Ellen Ripley is a friend of mine, and you are no Ellen Ripley.
Still, "Prometheus" is a mind-blowing and body-busting experience for those of us who prefer both with our sci-fi horror. I loved it and will no doubt see it again. I just can't help myself. I love to hear screaming in outer space that makes me squirm in a dark theater. Plus, I can't stop thinking about it. Could it be that we're not just a cosmic accident, but something so horrible that our own Creator feels compelled to wipe us out?
Where's Ripley when I need her?
I think Charlize Theron as Vickers, played a great role. But the best part of the movie for me was the visual effect. As I said last night, Ridley Scott does an incredible job of using the set to create and enhance the mood of any given scene.
Although it's not the exact scene I was looking for, here is an example:
http://www.truckerdeluxe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Prometheus.jpg
Just visually stunning.
Posted by: treesta | June 11, 2012 at 05:30 AM
I would give this movie a B+ or an A-. On a scale of 1-10, a 7.5-8. Four stars out of five. Three and a half stars out of four. I was relieved that it wasn't as bad as the last two Alien films or any of those stupid Alien vs. Predator films. Plus, the art direction was just masterful. Awe-full, if you will. I'm DYING to know what other folks think of this film . . . or any of the "Alien" films.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 05:31 AM
What's with Charlize, playing all of these ice queens this summer, treesta? She was originally supposed to play Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, but she was busy filming that "Snow White and the Huntsman" film in which she plays an evil queen. So she took the smaller part of Vickers which meant only changing costumes. Since seeing "Prometheus", I wonder if she would have made a better Ripley a la Elizabeth Shaw.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 05:35 AM
The whole film had a kind of "gleam", don't you think, treesta? From either all the shiny sets or from all the icky goo.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 05:36 AM
By the way, Carl, the theater attendant who took our ticket stubs yesterday, gave me three posters for "Prometheus" when he realized how much of an "Alien" junkie I was. That's them in the post image.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 05:37 AM
treesta -- did you get into the big existential questions at all?
By the way, the Sassistas! and treesta paid extra to see "Prometheus" in 3D which is not necessary.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 05:39 AM
Charlize plays one heck of an ice queen. For Dr. Shaw, she would have had to incorporate a vulnerability with the tough, in-your-face survivor. Noomi Rapace had the vulnerability part, but didn't quite pull off the in-your-face survivor role. Charlize could have pulled off the in-your-face survivor role with no problem, but could she have incorporated the vulnerability? Not sure. But several times in the movie, I thought, they just don't make 'em like Sigourney any more.
Posted by: treesta | June 11, 2012 at 05:43 AM
The costumes were pretty awesome, too, by the way:
http://cinemart-online.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/alien-.jpg
Posted by: treesta | June 11, 2012 at 05:47 AM
The big existential questions?
I think they were trying to counterpose polar questions:
Is God a God of love? (Dr. Shaw's questions) vs. Why does God hate us? (I think one of the biologists asked that one)
Who is our creator? vs. Are we just a product of a random collision of organic proteins?
I think Why does God hate us? became the overriding theme of the movie.
Posted by: treesta | June 11, 2012 at 05:52 AM
Good analysis of what was required to play Vickers and Dr. Shaw, treesta. I guess there really is only one Ripley. Can you imagine anyone else other than Anthony Hopkins playing Hannibal Lector? Some characters are permanently iconic.
The link in your 5:47 a.m. comment reminds me of the little surprise I got when "Prometheus" revealed that the giant "space jockey" from "Alien" (that huge creature with his ribs bursting out like something had exploded from within) was wearing a helmet and space suit. And that something more human-like was underneath. Loved that.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 05:52 AM
Obviously the work of an optimist.
Posted by: treesta | June 11, 2012 at 05:52 AM
Yes, those are the counterposing questions, treesta (your 5:52 comment).
"Why does God hate us?" Hard to shake a question like that.
I love movie soundtracks and the score to this film is wonderful.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 05:55 AM
Here's another pretty awesome shot:
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2012/0607/20120607__PrometheusMovie~p1.jpg
Posted by: treesta | June 11, 2012 at 05:56 AM
All of the spacecraft and outer space whatever in this film were checked out by NASAs expert to ensure their authenticity. The terrain vehicles, for example, are ones being developed by NASA for outer space exploration.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 05:59 AM
Well, I've got to get into work. No kids, but lots of work wrapping up this year and planning for next.
Justista, you were right, the end of the year is always bittersweet. Watching Prometheus yesterday, followed by a Margaret Cho chaser, was just the right diversion! Thanks to the Sassistas! for a fun, fun day.
Check in a bit later.
Posted by: treesta | June 11, 2012 at 06:06 AM
I liked the movie, but didn't love it. 4 out of 5 stars for me. And 3D wasn't necessary as Flann mentioned.
The art direction was incredible! Amazingly they even built the vehicles for the movie. Which probably doesn't sound impressive until you see them on the screen.
Not being the expert on the Aliens series like Flann I can't speak in detail like she can. One of the things she mentioned was the "blocking" of shots. Scott framed several shots that were the same as in the original film, Aliens. That was an interesting connection for me. However, as a non-expert, I only recognized one shot that was the same.
Posted by: Matissta | June 11, 2012 at 07:31 AM
Michael Fassbender’s portrayal as David, the robot, is downright eerie. The balance between human & robot is perfection. His performance was the strongest one for me.
Posted by: Matissta | June 11, 2012 at 07:46 AM
Ridley Scott directed, "Alien", Matiss. James Cameron directed, "Aliens" (which I have also seen several times). "Alien" is like a haunted house in outer space. "Aliens" is like the Vietnam War in outer space led by two fierce mothers.
Ridley Scott did indeed block several shots in "Prometheus" the way he did in "Alien". One that comes to mind is the way Elizabeth Shaw looks through a door window in terror much the same way as Ripley. The camera follows her in the same direction at the same speed. Not many would notice, but I did and was impressed. Tiny bits of dialogue from "Alien" kept popping up in "Prometheus," etc. I'd like to see the two movies one right after the other and compare notes.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 07:59 AM
Come on, people . . . the name "Shaw" is no name for a movie heroine. "Ripley" -- now THERE'S a name for a heroine.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 08:00 AM
I agree with you about Michael Fassbender's portrayal, Matiss. At points, I wondered if he was, in fact, a robot. It's also pretty clear that he's a gay robot with that crush on Peter O'Toole as Lawrence of Arabia and all. A menacing gay robot. Maybe Hal in "2001: Space Odyssey" was too.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 08:02 AM
Guy Pearce plays a dying old man in the film, and I am sorry to say that it appears that his old-man make-up was done by the same make-up artist who did, "J. Edgar".
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 08:11 AM
The June 18, 2012 issue of The New Yorker was just released online and includes a review of "Prometheus". The last line of the review is this: "This movie earns an exhausted respect."
About Noomi Rapace as the heroine: "[she] is small and slender, but as she demonstrated in the Swedish version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," she's as fast as a whippet and precise in her fury. Scott [the director] may always have had an eye on the box office, but from "Alien" and "Thelma and Louise" on, he has made women into heroines. In that regard, he's still ahead of the curve. Rapace's scene is a classic of its kind; it tops John Hurt's notorious misfortunes in 'Alien'".
Another line from the review: "We thought that only man could make something as a slag heap, but apparently gods are capable of ugliness, too." This line captures what is perhaps most intriguing about "Prometheus": the gods are crazy.
Posted by: Flannista | June 11, 2012 at 09:47 AM
I appreciate your detailed review, Flann, and would love to chime in, but I am not a fan of sci-fi or horror films, even the great ones, because they tend to haunt my dreams in a scary (not titillating) way. I am left feeling sick, rather than energized. But, I'm glad that you all had a good day at the movies!
Posted by: PEACEsista | June 11, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Flann: thanks for the review. I don't watch sci-fi or horror flicks either. Gruff and I used to go to the movies every Saturday night and then to a buffet but now we only go to the movies every once in a while. We saw "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" last weekend and loved it.
I'm packing for two weeks on the road and reading the short stories written by my workshop-mates. (I need to become better at peer critique). Good thing 10 kazoos doesn't take up much room. I submitted the first two chapters of my book for workshop (12 students and 2 professors critique your work for an hour while you sit silently-a kind of rite of passage I guess). The first two chapters introduce my main character, a mixed race woman lawyer who is a former cokehead. (she looks a little like my lovely daughter).
Flann: I need to spend more time with your comments. It might help my critique.
Posted by: Justista | June 11, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Hi, Just. I saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel also. Like you, I really enjoyed it. I liked the characters and all of their frailities and yet, their resiliency. Loved the quote - "Everything will turn out fine in the end, and if things aren't fine... then it's not the end." Absolutely loved the film footage in India. Made me want to go their. Realized that the director edited a lot of the footage in a choppy way, with shaky camera work, to give the audience a feel of the cacophony of colors, sights, and sounds in India. I always love Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. It was, quite obviously, a very different film than Prometheus.
Posted by: treesta | June 11, 2012 at 12:03 PM