Most good Sci-Fi space thrillers take advantage of the unknown and one’s imagination of what may be in outer space.  This happens to be the case of Prometheus a very thought provoking movie that intrigues.  If you are a science fiction buff or just like extraterrestrial action, then you will want to get a good seat at a theater showing Prometheus.

The story centers on two scientists, Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Halloway (Logan Marshall-Green)  who have discovered an ancient drawing of a being pointing to planets in the sky.  The drawing is almost identical to others discovered in other countries and brings them to the conclusion that aliens have once inhabited Earth.  Since Shaw has religious beliefs that lend to her scientific findings she feels that the aliens may be the gods that created earthlings and wants to get closer to them.

Armed with a direction posed by the pictorials and funded by Weyland Industries, the two become part of an expedition that will take them to a far away world. Expecting to find the clues that will make history, the crew presses on until they reach a strange planet.  What they find on the surface and in the caves however turns out to be the unexpected.

Ridley Scott and Noomi Rapace on the set of Prometheus

I like the way director Ridley Scott spools out his story with intrigue and wonderment by making the premise almost viable.  Then he starts adding elements that become challenging, frightening and intense. Much like his film Alien that turned inquisitiveness into a horror flick, Prometheus does more of the same.  In this case it’s a good thing because although the plots are similar Prometheus works all it’s magic on the planet instead of the confined area of the Nostromo space vehicle.

Although Scott tries to avoid the label that Prometheus is the prequel or beginning of the film Alien, too many similarities make it so.  From the first walk in the cave on the planet we start to see signs similar to his 1979 classic encounter in space.  Deeper into the story we see more signs including the giant with the strange headpiece that the crew of the Nostromo spotted, canisters reminiscent of the Alien pods and later an attack that puts the icing on the cake giving credence that this surly makes Prometheus the beginning.

Michael Fasbender as a android David in Prometheus

The downside of the film is that it gets corny and pretentious wanting the audience to believe the preposterous reason for the voyage in the first place.  With the revelation of why Weyland the financier of the expedition paid for such an expensive proposition the film turns even more bizarre.

The production of the film including the CGI, sets and cinematography are incredibly good.  The design of the Prometheus, its special safe pod, flight deck and other interiors create the futuristic look needed to carry out the fantasy of space travel.  The creatures found on the planet, space suits and shuttles all enhance the theme and creativity of the film.

Prometheus has been rated R by the MPAA for sci-fi violence including some intense images, and brief language.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  A good space adventure with some scary moments. (C+ )

Additional Film Information:

• Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green, Dean Harris, Guy Pierce, Patrick Wilson and Kate Dickie
• Directed by: Ridley Scott
• MPAA Rating: R for sci-fi violence including some intense images, and brief language
• Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure
• Running Time: 2 hours 4 minutes
• Opening Date: June 8, 2012
• Distributed by:Twentieth Century Fox