Is Prometheus the dark side of both intelligent design and evolution? Where not only the creator(s) are dismayed by their doomed creation, but where organic life itself somewhat inevitably leads to great destruction? It all starts quite amiably, with a sense of wonder; scientists discover proof that numerous cave paintings on earth actually provide a star map to a location where, if their theory is correct, humanity will find its celestial origins. After this brief exposition, an assortment of characters – including the optimistic, spiritual Shaw (Noomi Rapace), her lover and evolusionist Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green), pilot Janek (Idris Elba) and corporate representative Vickers (Charlize Theron) – arrive at their destination, LV-233 (I think. Don’t mail me about this, please.)
Part of the crew, and indeed their guardian to a great extent, is the android David (Michael Fassbender), who learns ancient languages and watches Lawrence of Arabia while his human counterparts hibernate in cryogenic sleep. Once they’re on the planet, events occur that make it clear to the researchers that their lives may be in imminent danger.
Prometheus is officially the long-awaited prequel to Alien, and both are directed by the same director, Ridley Scott, who was also responsible for Blade Runner and Black Hawk Down. Scott is a great visualist, and the primary interest given to set design and aesthetics is clear in most of his films (Matchstick Men is a notable exception). But to simply refer to Prometheus as the Alien prequel is to invite misconceptions and anticipate dashed expectations: this is not an Alien movie. Prometheus is an expansion and exploration of the universe established in the 1979 film, but it differs considerably from the rest of the films occupying that universe. It isn’t the haunted house story of the first film, nor the military survival horror of the second film (James Cameron’s finest hour). It follows that Alien Resurrection is also far removed from Scott’s film; of all these other entries, Prometheus is closest to the unfairly maligned Alien 3 with its emphasis on claustrophobia and nihilism.
Prometheus is something else entirely, a film unconcerned with any aliens as we've come to know them, using the first film’s “space jockey” discovery that opens that film to establish a link between the movies. Another link is the android presence, which features in all the films. Fassbender is masterful as David, following in the footsteps of Ian Holm and Lance Henriksen. Another link is on the series’ emphasis on birth, which here makes for one of the film’s nightmarish highlights.
If Prometheus isn’t an Alien movie, it is certainly science fiction with an emphasis on hostility corporate ethics, much like the other entries in the series. To discuss the film and its themes in detail would require a substantive essay filled with spoilers. Instead of doing that, I will rather point you towards some of the interesting pieces already in existence about the film. What I can say, is that I am firmly in the pro-Prometheus camp (Scott’s visual design is striking, even if his science is not above suspicion at all times and if his characters sound a bit cardboard at times). If it is a flawed film - its final scene demonstrates a lack of imagination and a sense of overkill simultaneously – it’s a fascinating failure at worst.
For some absorbing reading, go to Bilge Ebiri’s piece at http://ebiri.blogspot.com/2012/06/this-is-not-prometheus-thinkpiece.html and take it from there.
Part of the crew, and indeed their guardian to a great extent, is the android David (Michael Fassbender), who learns ancient languages and watches Lawrence of Arabia while his human counterparts hibernate in cryogenic sleep. Once they’re on the planet, events occur that make it clear to the researchers that their lives may be in imminent danger.
Prometheus is officially the long-awaited prequel to Alien, and both are directed by the same director, Ridley Scott, who was also responsible for Blade Runner and Black Hawk Down. Scott is a great visualist, and the primary interest given to set design and aesthetics is clear in most of his films (Matchstick Men is a notable exception). But to simply refer to Prometheus as the Alien prequel is to invite misconceptions and anticipate dashed expectations: this is not an Alien movie. Prometheus is an expansion and exploration of the universe established in the 1979 film, but it differs considerably from the rest of the films occupying that universe. It isn’t the haunted house story of the first film, nor the military survival horror of the second film (James Cameron’s finest hour). It follows that Alien Resurrection is also far removed from Scott’s film; of all these other entries, Prometheus is closest to the unfairly maligned Alien 3 with its emphasis on claustrophobia and nihilism.
Prometheus is something else entirely, a film unconcerned with any aliens as we've come to know them, using the first film’s “space jockey” discovery that opens that film to establish a link between the movies. Another link is the android presence, which features in all the films. Fassbender is masterful as David, following in the footsteps of Ian Holm and Lance Henriksen. Another link is on the series’ emphasis on birth, which here makes for one of the film’s nightmarish highlights.
If Prometheus isn’t an Alien movie, it is certainly science fiction with an emphasis on hostility corporate ethics, much like the other entries in the series. To discuss the film and its themes in detail would require a substantive essay filled with spoilers. Instead of doing that, I will rather point you towards some of the interesting pieces already in existence about the film. What I can say, is that I am firmly in the pro-Prometheus camp (Scott’s visual design is striking, even if his science is not above suspicion at all times and if his characters sound a bit cardboard at times). If it is a flawed film - its final scene demonstrates a lack of imagination and a sense of overkill simultaneously – it’s a fascinating failure at worst.
For some absorbing reading, go to Bilge Ebiri’s piece at http://ebiri.blogspot.com/2012/06/this-is-not-prometheus-thinkpiece.html and take it from there.
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