Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Logan Marshall Green
Director: Ridley Scott
Rating: 4/5
Few directors have made more of an impact to a genre in such a small amount of time as Ridley Scott did to sci-fi. With Alien and Blade Runner, he revolutionised the sci-fi world before simply abandoning it. After three decades away though, Scott is back in the realm that made his name.
Originally a direct prequel to Scott’s 1979 classic Alien, Prometheus is now its own story, but still set in the same universe as Ripley and her nemesis. But does it deserve to sit at the same table as the first two Alien films, or will it be cast out in the cold like the other sequels?
The year’s 2093 and we follow Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace), a scientist who is convinced of alien life having a key hand in the story of mankind.
Following clues left throughout history, she travels to an unknown planet along with her partner Charlie (Logan Marshall Green), a small band of explorers and the trillion-dollar backing of the Weyland Corporation, who’ve sent ice cold exec Vickers (Charlize Theron) and robot David (Michael Fassbender) along for the ride.
They intend to find out if the clues are correct and find the origins of humanity. They end up finding a whole lot more and not all of it is all that friendly.
With the huge amount of pressure on Prometheus, anything less than greatness could be considered a failure. On an aesthetic level at least, Prometheus exceeds expectations.
Prometheus is a thoroughly stunning film to look at. Gorgeous, sweeping photography, special effects that go beyond top-notch and astonishing design work throughout, it truly is a feast for the eyes. Unfortunately, the same care and attention that have turns space suits into works of art hasn’t been paid to the characters.
Noomi Rapace makes a fine fist at leading, but unfortunately Shaw never has the depth of, well, Ripley. The rest of the supporting cast aren’t the most memorable either, even Theron’s aloof Vickers failing to make any real permanent impact.
It’s only Fassbender’s mysterious mechanoid David that really stands out. The most interesting, intriguing character, David is the driving force behind Prometheus, aided by yet another great performance by the fantastic Fassbender.
The same criticism can be tabled at the plot too, which too quickly devolves into a disappointingly simplistic tale.
Prometheus defiantly gets back on track when it comes to spectacle however, with a climatic finale easily on a par with Scott’s best. It’s when Prometheus dabbles in horror that it really hits true form though, with its sporadic moments of brutality sparking from a real sense of menace throughout. Whenever the screams start, the film really comes into its own.
Ridley Scott may want Prometheus to be judged see on its own, but that will never happen. Comparisons will always be made to the Alien films. While it may be lacking the depth and perhaps long lasting appeal of its illustrious forebears, Prometheus still packs a whole lot of punch.
A lack of depth holds it back from greatness, but that should not detract from a gloriously designed chill-ride.
Prometheus is out now.
FemaleFirst Cameron Smith
Tagged in Sir Ridley Scott Noomi Rapace Prometheus