Prometheus

Prometheus

Directed By: Ridley Scott

Produced By: Ridley Scott, David Giler, Walter Hill

Written By: Jon Spaights, Damon Lindelof

Cast: Noomi Rappace, Logan Marshall-Green, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pierce

Plot: Set in 2093 Two archeologists (Rappace+Marshall-Green) discover various ancient inscriptions around the Earth pointing to a constellation in Space, and are funded by Peter Weyland (Pierce) to investigate and uncover the truth behind humanity. However the truth is more horrifying than any of them could have expected.

The film serves as an indirect prequel to the cult classic 'Alien' series, with the focus of the film around the origins of the 'Space Jockey' (seen above) which is glimpsed in the first 'Alien' film. The interpretation that Ridley Scott comes up with is brilliant, and isn't what audiences familiar with the series expected whatsoever. However, Prometheus can easily be classified as a 'stand-alone' film due to the fact that the Aliens from the series don't make an appearance. The film is technically a Directors' Cut, as Ridley Scott presented it without anything taken out to achieve a lower rating, so the gritty, harsh events are as he intended. 

During the scenes onboard the ship 'Prometheus', there is a cramped claustrophobic feel, without much comfort for it's passengers. However when the crew reach their destination, this feeling changes with the scenery, to a vast empty space, and you get the idea that they are completely helpless. When events take a turn for the worst and things go downhill, horrifying things occur and whilst it doesn't have the initial shock that 'Alien' first did, it is fairly unsettling. 

The majority of the actors/actresses performances are brilliant in my opinion, Noomi Rappace's portrayal of Elizabeth Shaw is fantastic. She is an honest, desperate woman, and that comes across very clearly. The character of Peter Weyland was not particularly needed, and he was rather wooden (In fairness, he has come out of cryo-sleep but my point still stands) I was also impressed with the character of Fifield, played by Sean harris, who came across as both rational and unhinged. Another performance that stood out was Michael Fassbenders' android, David (Below). He is obviously slightly wooden, but his actions are fluid and articulate. The dialogue he has is also the same, slow and calculated, but quirky and slightly sarcastic in places.

*Slight spoiler ahead* 

There is one scene in particular which almost rivals the first chestburster scene from the first film, when the leading lady, Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rappace) performs surgery on herself to take 'something' out. This scene is quite unnerving as she is so alone and isolated. Much like the entire crew themselves. This scene is almost a comparison for the entire feature. Shaw is trapped and very alone, and has terrible things done to her for someone elses benefit, the crew are trapped and also isolated and have horrifying things done to them for the 'Engineers' benefit.

There are a few minor plotholes, concerning some of the crews untimely deaths/transformations but apart from that, I feel that Ridley Scott has created a visceral, intelligent and well thought out prequel. 

7.5/10

Written By Eammon Jacobs