Prometheus

Ridley Scott’s return to sci-fi after so many years and after having crafted some of the most memorable films of the genre (like Blade Runner and Alien), compelled me to check out his latest creation.  The movie was also described as a prequel of sort to his own Alien, so even more reasons not to miss it.

Synopsis: A team of scientists finds clues about the origins of the human race in ancient drawings all over the world.  The drawings also hint at the possibility that an alien race might have fathered us all.  An expedition is sent to the ends of the universe to figure out what truth there is to their discovery, who the aliens were, and why they created us.

Prometheus is a well made movie that unfortunately, at times, feels a little unclear.  It explores a lot of material, so perhaps a second viewing would be beneficial, but I did leave the theater puzzled by a couple things, which is always a little annoying.

This doesn’t detract from the final result though.  The screenplay is well written and very well acted by a really talented cast (Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, and Charlize Theron above all).  The visual effects are glorious, the art direction mind blowing, and the cinematography wraps everything like a warm blanket.

The Bottom Line: Scott has done it again.  He has rekindled our interest in one of cinema’s most enduring villains (Alien), has created a new world and a new race, and he has set up a possible sequel without being too obvious or fastidious.  Prometheus is interesting, awesome to watch, and rich with action and story.  Watch it.

Grade: 8