Prometheus - Movie Review

A while back, it was announced that Ridley Scott would be directing a two movie prequel to his classic "Alien" film and it would also be filmed in 3D. At the time, the general movie going population was both thrilled and nervous about this news as people have been wanting Scott to make a return to the popular franchise although many were still not totally accepting the reemergence of 3D technology in cinema.

The two-movie prequel idea was eventually scrapped and Scott began focusing on creating a whole new story set in the "Alien" universe. There has been a lot of controversy as to whether "Prometheus" would still qualify as a prequel to "Alien", or how it would fit exactly in to the overall history of the franchise. Both the director and the studio have insisted this is not a prequel, but is a new story based in the same universe.

The number one thing I love about Prometheus is how amazing it looks on the big screen with huge visual landscapes and special effects that are so perfect you really believe in everything you see on the screen. There was never one moment that I thought about something looking too CGI and the added bonus of 3D only helped to immerse you in to the incredibly visceral world that Scott has created.

The all star cast includes standout performances by Noomi Rapace as Elizabeth Shaw, Charlize Theron as Meredith Vickers, Idris Elba as Captain Janek and Michael Fassbender as David. Shaw is a scientist who, along with her partner Charlie Holloway (played by Logan Marshall-Green), may have discovered a key to the origins of mankind.

Based on their findings, the pair is sent out on a deep space mission along with a team of fellow scientists and contract workers aboard the Weyland Industries ship Prometheus. The company's founder, Peter Weyland also has implemented his own agenda for the mission that is not entirely scientific and utilizes his personal robot David along with mission leader Vickers to see that it is carried out.

If you are a fan of science fiction, you will love the level of depth and creativity in the story as so many layers unfold and there are just as many questions asked as answers given so the audience is left to explore and speculate on everything that is discovered while watching the movie. Scott doesn't attempt to force feed the audience with facts or hold its hand through telling the story as he assumes everyone will be able to follow along on some level.

"Prometheus" is worth seeing more than one time not only so you can have another chance at taking in all of the amazing visuals, but also to revisit a story that will have you glued to the screen as you try to follow along. The running time of the movie clocks in at just over two hours, but when the credits started to roll, it felt like only a few minutes had passed by which to me is always the sign of great story telling.

If you haven't watched this movie yet, go see it right now. If you have already watched "Prometheus", I would still suggest that you go see it again as soon as possible. This is the type of science fiction that we have all been waiting for and who knows when we will get to see another epic space adventure as good as this one again.