Prometheus

Michael Fassbender, Noomi Repace, Charlize Theron, Logan Marshall-Green, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce

Dir. Ridley Scott
Scr. Jon Spaihts & Damon Lindelof

If you’re expecting the stark simplicity of Alien or the visceral action of Aliens, you’ll probably be disappointed. Also, please don’t expect a paint-by-numbers prequel – there is at least another one, if not two, instalments needed between Prometheus and Alien. But, you know what, it’s pretty darn good. It’s cerebral, for sure, but also action-packed, beautifully presented and certainly compelling. I’m sure Alien/sci-fi purists will find plenty at fault and, intellectually, it’s a real mash-up of ideas. But I highly recommend nonetheless.

It’s 2090-ish and a team of scientists, aboard the ship Prometheus, journey to a distant planet in search of the origins of humankind. What they find is startling and, ultimately, a threat to the continued existence of all humanity. Enough said (this is, I hope, a spoiler-free zone).

Continuing to shun 3D wherever I can, I saw this film in 2D. Ridley Scott himself said the 2D version was beautiful. And I couldn’t agree more. This movie is a real feast for the eyes – utterly visually arresting. Scott, arguably, helped define the look and feel of this genre and Prometheus is proof that he hasn’t lost his touch.

In terms of the story, there has been much criticism. Without going into too much detail, I agree with some that the messages are laboured and the plot, at times, is flimsy. But the big questions – where did we come from and why – are boldly posed and remain with you well after the credits have rolled. They’re not new questions but, so what? I was challenged and entertained. One has to ask, isn’t that the point of a good film? In terms of scary bits, Prometheus certainly delivers. And, yes, there’s a nice amount of gore and things bursting out of other things.

In terms of acting, it’s all pretty good. Much has been made of Repace’s turn as archaeologist Elizabeth Shaw. And, yeah, she does well. Shaw suffers a great deal in this film, there’s no denying, and maybe I just wanted Repace to be tougher in her portrayal. Like Weaver’s Ripley perhaps. Marshall-Green, who plays Shaw’s partner in both archaeology and love, is a little wooden for my liking. And resembles the far superior Tom Hardy so much that I was continually disappointed he wasn’t actually Tom Hardy. Theron and Elba are both excellent – great characters actors in their own way and both on very fine form here. Pearce’s portrayal of the very elderly Peter Weyland is somewhat of a puzzle. Why not just get an old man to play an old man, rather than coating Pearce in so much make-up he’s largely unrecognisable. It makes me think large chucks of this film ending up on the cutting room floor. Scott will, undoubtedly, release a director’s cut at some point and maybe we’ll see Pearce without the rubber face. There is absolutely no question that Fassbender is the star of the show. As android David, a robot with more feelings than he perhaps knows what to do with, Fassbender is a welcome addition to the alumni of Scott’s synthetic creations. He’s slightly sinister, most definitely arrogant and jealous of all that he lacks. He acts circles around almost all of the rest of the cast and steals every scene he is in. Simply wonderful and, along with visual world Scott has created, well worth the price of admission.

I don’t doubt that Ridley Scott fans will flock to see this film. They will want an experience equal to his earlier work in the science-fiction genre. Maybe a fair few of them will be disappointed. But I wasn’t. Prometheus isn’t a masterpiece, but it’s a masterly work by a master of his trade.

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David: How far would you go to get your answers?