Prometheus is a fever pitched genetic nightmare. It's hard to compare it a previous movie. It has parallels with the original Alien, but it would have to be combined with Hellraiser to correctly describe it.
Prometheus starts with a semi confusing introductory sequence, but it makes more sense once the credits roll at the end. The time period is then shifted to 2089. Two archaeologist lovers, Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie Holloway (Noomi Rapace and Logan Marshall-Green) find an ancient cave painting that corresponds to previous paintings, but their meaning isn't made clear. You find out it's an invitation to find aliens in space that may be our creators. They called them Engineers (though the fan name Space Jockeys from the original Alien keeps coming to mind).
The ship Prometheus is launched by Weyland Corporation to find these Engineers four years later. Once they land, they find out that the beginnings of atmosphere transformation is happening in a cave near their landing site. Their team goes to investigate.
The movie then starts a downward spiral into madness. After opening up one of the bays, they activate a genetic ooze weapon that seems to have a lot of types of different effects. These effects seem to vary from grotesque transformations, to sickness, to genetic modification of one's reproductive functions, and seems to want to propagate itself, but isn't quite designed for that. The confusion about whether this is a final product or an experiment, leaves a lot of mystery open. It makes our lack of understanding about the weapon a horrific guessing game in itself.
This leads to a lot of terrifying sequences. It's like you've lost your mind and you can't keep up with the logic of what's going on around you. Through all of this the story marches on, and the plot's focus rarely wavers. There's a sequence where Elizabeth is injured and has to staple part of her body shut. She then is in pain the rest of movie, but the other characters that are left, do not care about her well or her suffering. This fits in with the plot and isn't just to be twisted, their apathy makes sense in the plot.
David (played by Michael Fassbender - X-Men First Class) is one of the most interesting characters in the film. He's really hard to pin down, but you find out early that he is an android. He has to obey orders of a certain person, because he is programmed to, but when that person is gone he will be free. He does something that is pretty evil in the film, but you aren't mad at him, because he is just a tool. He tries to make up for it later on in an unexpected way.
Charlize Theron is the Weyland company executive that goes along for the ride. She is somewhat of a villain, but things aren't that black and white in this movie. One of the most entertaining characters of the movie is Captian Janek (Idris Elba) who is honest and noble. Even throughout the events of the movie, he doesn't flinch in what has to be done.
The movie ends on a high note, but leaves you on the edge of your seat as soon as the terror begins. There is one sequence that is on a base level disgusting and horrifying at the same time. You'll know when it is as soon as the sequence begins.
There are a couple of cliché villains getting punished in moments that you can see coming. The rest of the movie doesn't seem to follow a real platform and really keeps you guessing. This movie also does not integrate directly into Alien, but the sequel may given the nature of the ending.
The Imax 3D did make the experience more intense (both 2D and 3D were experienced by reviewer). The pop out depth wasn't utilized, but the inner depth made the movie feel grander; especially in the outdoor scenes. There were instances where the caverns inside the ruins felt more endless or claustrophobic due to the 3D. It wasn't the difference that was made like in Avatar, but was more or less worth the extra money in a matinee.
In conclusion, Prometheus may be a prequel to Alien, but stands on its own. It may be seen as a horror masterpiece in the future. The film has some clichés once in a while, but it doesn't diminish the experience. If you like horror or the Alien franchise at all, you need to see this movie.
This Review is also on my Examiner Page
No comments:
Post a Comment