With the home video release just about a week and a half away, I thought it would be good time to do a review of "Prometheus" since you can download the digital copy right now and some stores are giving the digital copy free to download today when you pre-order (hint: one of them is where I work). Anyway, I'll get a little more into this during the review, but yes Virginia, this is a prequel to "Alien" no matter how you look at it.
Summary courtesy of IMDB:
Prometheus (2012)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1446714/
Technical (5) - All hail Ridley Scott's return to Sci-Fi! Seriously, though, this is the man that made two of the most influential Sci-Fi movies ever ("Alien" and "Blade Runner") and he hasn't returned to the genre in 30 years. And it's too bad, because the man knows how to make the most memorable movies. Go look at a list of the movies he's made and try and tell me you don't vividly remember something from almost every one even if you haven't seen them in a while. Sorry to ramble, but I have to say Scott is one of my all-time favorite directors. This movie is no exception. From the opening scenes, you know that you're watching magic being made. The cinematography is breathtaking, the music is flawless, and the set designs are just awesomely done. I really love the nods to the original "Alien" in almost every design, but then they are updated and changed to be more in-line with where the technology is headed. It also shows the dichotomy between the ship and crew of "Alien" being set for mining and "Prometheus" being a scientific expedition that was greatly financed. Yes CGI was used to great effect, but I love the fact that Ridley (we're on a first name basis now, didn't you know?) used old school prosthetics and animatronics to achieve his vision as well.
Dialogue/Story (4.5) - Here's where it can get a bit sticky. Again, this is a prequel, but not in the traditional sense of this one ends where "Alien" begins. In fact, "Prometheus" is a movie that gives you answers, but then gives you more questions. I think this is why so many people were disappointed in it. They wanted it all wrapped up in a neat little bow and that's just not what happened. We get to see who created the aliens and to what purpose, but the "why" is still a mystery. All the while you have human mistakes and heroism that show us for who we really are and an android that for once, doesn't want to be human. He's perfectly happy in who he is. The dialogue is very natural and flows well. I think because Ridley allowed and encouraged ad-libbing on the set. I have to dock some for a section about 3/4 through the film where it all seems a bit rushed which I blame on the studio. I'm sure the Director's Cut when it inevitably comes out will flow better.
Acting (5) - Superb. Everyone is really great in this. Even not Tom Hardy (Logan Marshall-Green) who I've been dubious about in the past was really good here. To me, the two that out shined everyone else, though, were Michael Fassbender as David the Android and Idris Elba as Janek the pilot. They both embodied their respective roles completely. And again, here was proof that Ms. Theron was not to blame in "Snow White" because she's very understated and not at all over acting in this one. Not much else can be said other than Noomi Rapace is a great successor to Sigourney Weaver's throne as a Sci-Fi queen (sorry though, Noomi, she's not giving it up easily).
Tilt (5) - I really loved it. When I saw it in the theater I had some reservations, but after seeing it again a couple of nights ago, I realized most of them were unfounded. I still think the studio screwed with what could be a complete masterpiece, but time will tell. Ridley's Director's Cuts are always so much better than the original release of the film, so why do they continue to make cuts to his movies? Ugh.Ta-ta for now meatheads.
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