Movie Review: Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus”

Whether or not Ridley Scott’s newest film reaches the acclaimed cult status of “Alien” and “Bladerunner,” “Prometheus” is certainly entertaining to say the least. Scott poses competition for James Cameron in the technology department with his exceptional usage of 3-D technology; viewers are entranced by shots of cascading waterfalls, lush green landscapes, massive space-crafts and technicolor atmospheres…the audience is submerged into the depths of a human body in the first ten minutes of the film, the eye of the camera twirling around DNA strands and up-close double-helixes that are fantastically realistic looking.

This film is more aesthetically moving than conceptually brilliant, although it does touch upon some very deep themes like God and the origin of human-kind. The outstanding visuals and multidimensional, crystal clear audio carry viewers through the film at a slow and timid pace until about half way in when things start to turn spine-chillingly bad. Although it takes some time until we are introduced to the “aliens”, the production and creature design is exceptional and worth the wait.

Although trailers have made it seem like this film is purely chest-exploding, alien birthing, metamorphic body horror…gore isn’t the main focus. Those contemplating whether or not to see the film based on the scare factor should not turn their heads, however, because when shit hits the fan, viewers are in for a non-stop, vomit-worthy array of blood, guts, and penetrating alien-human contact.

The best thing about this film is that as much as it makes you jump, cringe, and cover your eyes in disgust and horror, it really makes you think. This idea of “Prometheus” being more than just a “jump out of your skin” alien horror, is most likely what Ridley Scott was trying to achieve; unfortunately, the deep messages at the center of the story do not translate as well as they could have if the story was a bit more solid with less holes that leave us a bit confused as to what is actually happening. Compared to cult-classics “Bladerunner” and “Alien”, the film is somewhat of a disappointment. Nonetheless, Scott fully succeeds in that, upon leaving the theatre, every viewer is left pondering the timeless question of why we are here, what our purpose is, and ultimately who created us…