MisterHobo Reviews "Prometheus" (2012)

Prometheus has landed

In many ways, “Prometheus” is the standard, average sci-fi movie. Amazing visuals: check. Engaging, edge-of-your-seat style action: check. At least one terribly gruesome scene: check. Plot holes: check. Lame acting: hmmm..

Okay, "Prometheus" is better than your average uninspired sci-fi movie, but I can’t help feeling that director Ridley Scott may have reached a little low than from what was expected from him.

As the story goes, leading world archeologists Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) uncover some recurring signs in ancient ruins that lead them to believe they’re coming closer to finding out the secret of the origin of humanity. Backed up by the Weyland corporation, they set off on the spaceship Prometheus to a distant planetary system only to find out they’ve dived head first into secrets that are beyond their understanding and dangers beyond their imaginations. In other words…

Now, without wishing to be negative, it feels as if sometimes this film loses sight of its ultimate goal. It feels as if sometimes the film sacrifices not only its message (Whatever it may want to say about human nature, the hunger for the truth, the “be careful what you wish for”, the pseudoscientific theories, I don’t know, I didn’t properly get it) but also the plot at times to distract the audience with it’s jaw-dropping visuals.

In the end, the film is very entertaining, if rather shallow as it must inevitably be compared to “Alien” (1979)

This comparison is apt, given that “Prometheus” is in fact the prequel to “Alien” (but you already knew that) and the similarities are rife. Sketchy android: check, Strong female hero: check. Shady corporate agenda: check. The absolute worst space crew to ever step into a spaceship: check. Lame acting: hmm…

I could say that for a science fiction movie, there is a great acting ensemble, but that wouldn’t be completely accurate. For any movie, there is a great acting ensemble. We got Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce, Patrick Wilson, all of them awake and active and giving great performances. Even the supporting cast, as stock characters as they all may be give solid, believable performances. I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw such a well acted sci-fi film.

As for the “prequel factor” it’s very much noticeable. Though “Prometheus” does try to stand as it’s own movie rather than just ride by as an Alien prequel, the “Alien” references are all there if you keep your eyes open, but try not to keep them so open that you miss the new aspects that “Prometheus” brings to the table.

So if you haven’t already seen it, I do suggest to go see “Prometheus”. Sure, it’s not the greatest film of Ridley Scott’s career, and if you’re a hardcore “Alien” fan I can’t say it’s as good as the first two, but it’s still damn well entertaining, and it’s better than a whole bunch of sci-fi movies in recent memory. Better than “Battleship”: check. Better than “Lockout”: check. Better than “Chronicle”: check. Better than “Cabin In The Woods”: hmmm…


Hobo-meter score: 4.0/5