I Was Bound to Write About "Prometheus"

The straight-forwardness with which “Prometheus” tells it’s story is the film’s most impressive feature. If you liked Ridley Scott’s 1979 film, “Alien,” there is a very good chance you will enjoy his new film. I am not going to pretend to understand everything that happens in the film. You will likely have several questions after watching it. I did. Normally, this bothers me, however, in the case of “Prometheus,” I was so overwhelmed by the scope and superiority of the filmmaking that these unanswered questions became only minor nuisances that soon left my brain. I would not be surprised to hear that “Prometheus” is the first of two or three films that will serve as a prequel to the 1979 film. I do not know if “Prometheus” is supposed to be a prequel to “Alien” or not. Arguments could be successfully debated on both sides. It does not really matter to me. As a stand-alone film, “Prometheus” succeeds in being very entertaining as a result of a focused narrative and very good performances aided by some very good science fiction writing. What I mean by “very good science fiction writing” is that the script never gets sidetracked by silly subplots or a need to explore a character’s past love affair with another character, for example. References are made to relationships in the film and it is made clear at the beginning of the film that the characters Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) are a couple, however, that is all we need to know. No backstory about this subject is necessary in this film, and fortunately, none is given to bog down the proceedings. Characters are introduced smoothly in the film. It is as if the viewer walks into the room and encounters somebody for the first time. There is no fanfare and the trope of showing someone from the back and having them turn around slowly is not used. One of the most egregious uses of this kind of trope was used in “Star Trek 2” to introduce Captain Kirk. Yes, it’s Shatner. Yes, it’s Kirk and he is an iconic character. It was still pretty corny, though. In that scene, Kirk was first shown in shadows, then the lighting is adjusted as he walks closer into the frame to reveal that it is the massively cool Captain Kirk. Make no mistake, he is massively cool…but that was corny. Charlize Theron’s performance as Meredith Vickers, the leader of the mission of which the ship, Prometheus, undertakes, is fantastic. She could have played her character as a soulless bitch. Fortunately, Theron is an excellent actress and she stands out playing her character as a no-nonsense woman who understands her role on the ship and with the company for which she works. The script allows her to be more than a two-dimensional cardboard cutout. Such is the case with most of the characters in the film. Noomi Rapace also stands out as Elizabeth Shaw, one of the scientists aboard Prometheus, a vessel assigned to locate the source of a mysterious image which was found in seven different locations on Earth. The planet the crew of Prometheus is on course for is discovered to be full of many surprises, none of which I will divulge. As I inferred, I was left with some questions after watching the film. I have discussed the film with friends, as this film will surely inspire conversation. Said conversations have helped explain some, but not all, of my questions, as it does not appear that answers to some of our questions were in the film, which leads to my estimation that one or two more films will follow. “Prometheus” is very good science-fiction/horror entertainment and is among Ridley Scott’s best films, but not quite as good as “Alien” or “Blade Runner.” Those two films are science-fiction classics. “Prometheus” falls just a bit short of the level of greatness of those two films. It is no slight to “Prometheus” to make such a statement. Though I do not want you to feel bound to see “Prometheus,” I do hope that my words will direct you to some interest in it.