Where do I begin? I went into “Prometheus” fresh, with no knowledge of the universe director Ridley Scott created in 1979’s “Alien”, and as a result, no idea what to really expect from this sci-fi prequel-of-sorts. My lack of substantial expectations resulted in a fascinating movie-going experience, one in which I found myself simultaneously intrigued and horrified.
Filled with existential themes, “Prometheus” is set in 2093, where a group of explorers strive to discover the origin of human life on Earth. Most passionate about unlocking these answers are archaeologists Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green), a couple who discover a series of ancient cave drawings that lead them on mission funded by Weyland Industries to a distant galaxy where they believe they can meet their makers. Also aboard the Prometheus (the name of the ship) are mission director Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron), captain Janek (Idris Elba) and android David (Michael Fassbender), among others.
While the crew is out exploring, taking their helmets off and messing with foreign objects and extraterrestrial life (does that seem like a good idea to you?), even before things turn sour, the feeling of impending doom is palpable. And things progress in what feels like the blink of an eye. At one moment a philosophical debate, and the next a gut-wrenching monster-horror movie, “Prometheus” is all over the place—which isn’t necessarily a negative thing. There are plot holes and moments that feel somewhat out of place, but if anything, I attribute it to the sheer ambition of an immensely talented filmmaker. The plot shift doesn’t come off as a way to derail the initial path the film embarked on; it comes off as an exercise in foreboding and warning, making sure the viewer is never in a complete state of peace. What happens when the answers you’ve been looking for aren’t the ones you wanted? They just bring more deep, impossible-to-answer questions, of course. Which in turn just gives us more to chew over while immersed in this chaotic story.
Between the fantastic 3D and the astonishing visual effects, this is a film to behold. Even when the action is at a standstill, its visual spectacle and the magnificent set pieces are enough to mesmerize you alone. Then throw in Michael Fassbender’s beguiling, winning performance as robot David, with his chillingly monotone voice and vacant expressions, and there’s plenty to keep you engaged.
Beware -- “Prometheus” is not for the squeamish. There’s one scene in particular that made my usually tough stomach start to churn. When the intensity is kicked into high gear, I’d be surprised if anyone left the theater mentally unscathed. This is the kind of movie that’ll have a very specific effect on you---you may come out of it feeling like your mind was just blown, or you may find yourself incredibly disappointed by the direction it took. No matter what though, pretty strong reactions to this film come with the territory.
The movie asks a lot of questions that it can’t answer, and that may feel like a cop-out to some viewers. For this viewer though, those questions were the thought-provoking catalyst for a striking, genuinely WTF movie – and I mean that in the best way possible.
Rating: B+
