Prometheus

Released: 2012

Directed By: Ridley Scott

Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender

Certificate: 15

Reviewed By: Darryl Griffiths

Returning to your original stomping ground has become one of THE ‘trends’ in modern cinema. Admittedly, it hasn’t always garnered a positive outcome as the likes of George Lucas with Star Wars and Steven Spielberg with Indiana Jones discovered on separate occasions.

Ridley Scott must have been foretold of the dangers, as he’s desperately tried to distance himself from the notion his latest blockbuster ‘Prometheus’ (named after a titan in Greek Mythology for all you History lovers out there) has direct links to the Alien Quadrilogy. Of course, its relentless marketing campaign would suggest otherwise. However with such lack of clarification, it’s certainly ramped up the anticipation and intrigue levels. 33 years on since his immersive genre defining original, can the respected director hit those giddy heights once again??

A mysterious and rather unnerving sequence involving a broad shouldered humanoid lays the foundations for the story to fast forward to the year 2089. We are greeted with the presence of two enthusiastic archaeologists Dr Elizabeth Shaw (original Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marhsall-Green). Elated by the discovery of prehistoric markings that all correlate through a matching star group, the origins of mankind are set to be scrutinised.

Answering the call to be all aboard starship Prometheus funded by an aging Guy Pearce and led by wisecracking captain (Idris Elba), the pleasentries soon dry up. Headstrong Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) proves unmoved by their agenda, perfectly accompanied by android ‘David’ played by Michael Fassbender, whose devoid of human emotion by trade. Once they land on rocky terrain, it soon becomes apparent they’re not alone..

Ridley Scott has always been a reliable source when it comes to creating jaw dropping spectacle and here is no exception. The world he’s created here is once again full of elegant landscapes, with the vast scale of the film perhaps his most impressive to date for this particular genre. He certainly hasn’t lost his appetite for gripping set pieces either, with a few cheeky if gory nods to the early ‘Alien’ entries. Lovers of abjection in cinema will notably rejoice in a particular scene involving a medical pod! The only fault in such a department is the orchestra heavy score, stifles the tension.

However, as a cohesive whole ‘Prometheus’ never gains any true sense of momentum. Its premise always hints at being rather elaborate with its initially bold ideas but when you’re continuously bombarded with the same plot fragments, it throws up more questions than it’s able to answer. As a direct result of this, the pace sags considerably in places. The script written by Damon Lindelof may preach intelligence, but the dialogue the cast are consistently saddled with once the dread kicks in resembles a ‘teen horror’ film with logic seemingly left behind on Earth.

Thank the heavens for Michael Fassbender here, as he’s the only real engaging character on show. With his unsettling figure movements and chilling voice, his engimatic presence always keeps you on edge with what is really driving the character. The same cannot be applied to the uncharismatic ensemble. Rapace especially was always going to struggle to follow in the footsteps of Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley and it shows in her performance, that proves to be as uncertain as her accent.

Gorgeous on the surface but almost soulless underneath, ‘Prometheus’ proves admirable with its intentions but underwhelming in its execution.