Prometheus (***½)

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce, Logan Marshall-Green, Sean Harris, Rafe Spall

Seen: June 8^th 2012

***½ Out of ****

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is credited with the creation of man from clay. Prometheus starts with a strong allusion to the name’s Greek origin when a humanoid alien drinks a liquid which makes him disintegrate with his genetic material spilling into a river falling over a precipice, setting in motion a biogenetic reaction which, in this story-line, is held as the origin of the human species. Such a lofty premise is gradually replaced with a very good looking and effectively scary science fiction horror movie, a prequel to the evergreen Alien movies directed by men considered relative giants today.

The year is 2089 and archaeologists Elizabeth Shaw (Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Marshall-Green) discover what they believe to be an invitation into space from the Engineers; the race of aliens who left one of their own on earth to start humanity so long ago; in the form of cave drawings from various cultures. CEO of Weyland Corporation, Peter Weyland (Pearce), following extremely self-serving motives, funds the ship to take them, the Prometheus, and sends them off under the controlling mission director Meredith Vickers (Theron). They travel in stasis, with only the android David (Fassbender) monitoring the crew on the 4-year voyage. When they reach their destination they discover much more than they ever bargained for, and things go awry in typical Alien movie fashion as everyone attempts to survive the chaos.

Prometheus has its fair share of jaw-dropping or cringe-inducing moments and I truly enjoyed the visual splendour and visceral terror that infused the entire movie. Especially memorable scenes/moments include a real-time 3D rendering of a cave system, some spaceship manoeuvring (and failure to do so), and an especially grisly self-administered caesarean section. A healthy composite of new ideas and ideas/events connecting this movie with the original Aliens series will not disappoint those fondly returning to the Alien universe while also keeping newcomers happy.

Michael Fassbender is fantastic as the android David, with just the correct level of creepy and  emotionless but curious interaction; Noomi Rapace channels a religious Ripley struggling with the obvious issue of human origins; Guy Pearce and Charlise Theron provide humans to hate while Logan Marshall-Green adds great emotion and tragedy. Ridley Scott returns to the classic universe he started with Alien in 1979, and after his terrible Robin Hood in 2010 it seems as if he is back in the game.

Prometheus is a great science fiction horror film with spectacular visuals, adrenaline pumping suspense, and stacks of ambition. If you are a fan of the Alien movies, be sure to see Prometheus, it will not let you down.