bitLanders AI-Themed Blogging: PROMETHEUS Movie Review - Photo credit: imdb, edition by Amber255 via bitLanders
I wonder how developed the human race, the man himself; space flights, automation of everything that moves - is this really the limit, the limit of our consciousness? Considering that the brain uses only 18% of its capabilities, we really reached the ceiling, the top of our ambitions. We certainly would use the remaining 82%. Man, in view of the natural arrogance and his mind, still tries to find out what is known to God alone, to change what cannot be changed, to know that 18% of the brain simply not allow the understanding.
One can argue about what part of the franchise about the battles of xenomorphs with the ineradicable Ripley is the best. Deservedly beloved by all, James Cameron, based on his sympathies for artificial people and feminism, created a film slightly different from the original movie. We got both friendly androids and strong women with their characters and iron will.
A magnificent science-fiction film, all the more intriguing because it raises questions about the origin of human life and doesn't have the answers.
Credit: rogerebert
However, returning with a prequel, albeit quite expectedly, Ridley Scott set the course for PROMETHEUS to the anti-utopia, to his first film of Alien franchise. He focused the viewer's attention on the cyborg relationship with people. The spiritual unity with the tap of 1969: there is a rebel system; there is Pandora's Box; there are helpless people.
The film PROMETHEUS is about the very beginning, the universe, and the ironical android.
Despite a long film career, director Ridley Scott's legend is basically based on two cult movies he has created at the beginning of his career. It is Alien that scared all spectators in 1979 and now considered as one of the best horror films ever seen, and the science fiction classic Blade Runner (1982). After 30 years, Ridley Scott has moved to science fiction spaces again.
This time, he returned to his creative roots creating the film PROMETHEUS, a film that, although is not a pure Alien's prologue as originally was conceived by the director, but has some introduction to this film, its prehistory.
PROMETHEUS, Official Trailer - Video credit: youtube
The Plot
PROMETHEUS begins with a wonderful and promising scene that takes place many centuries ago in a remote corner of the earth, near a waterfall where a flying spacecraft let out a human being. Drinking some liquid, this creature breaks down into many parts and drowned in water.
What is it? Is this being a direct ancestor of ours? Is it the beginning of humanity?
The viewer is not left for a long time with these thoughts because the film's action jumps to 2089 when two archaeologists - Elizabeth (Noomi Repace) and her boyfriend Charlie (Logan Marshall-Green) - discover a cave with prehistoric paintings depicting figures pointing to a distant planet. Considering it as an invitation, archaeologists persuade one corporation to fund an expedition to a planet where they believe the gods that have created people are living.
Science fiction film PROMETHEUS - Photo credit: imdb
A few years later, the spacecraft Prometheus is heading towards the far planet. Its passengers - people - a two-years' trip spend in capsules. They all are stagnated. The spacecraft is taken care of by a humanoid android David. This role is virtually performed by the most wanted Hollywood actor today, Michael Fassbender) - it is definitely the most interesting film character.
They are not yet aware that this journey will be a test of their physical and psychological capabilities. Going to the other world, they are looking for answers to the harshest questions of humanity and seek to disclose the main secret of the world's creation. In the strange world, scientists must enter into a dangerous struggle for the future of the human race, trying to prevent destruction.
PROMETHEUS Movie Review - Photo credit: mmonfilm.blogspot
The Content
Ridley Scott had long thought of returning to Alien and actually assumed from the beginning that he would do it in the prequel format. However, the scant information provided to journalists during the filming, strongly hinted that as a result of repeated rewriting of the script, there was no trace of the original idea. Well, even if this is the case, we really have a prequel; moreover, the plot skeleton of this prequel is boldly borrowed from the original.
The starship Prometheus in some way replaces Nostromo; the colorful Swede Noomi Rapace - changed Sigourney Weaver's slightly more sentimental incarnation, and even the android robot found its magnificent counterpart by Michael Fassbender.
However, in contrast to the fairly straightforwardly developing action of the Alien, the plot of this tape is much more intricate by its story.
Science fiction film PROMETHEUS - Photo credit: thecinemacritic.wordpress
The first part of the movie is really impressive: breathtaking images, great scenography, completely undisturbed 3D effects and unknown that keeps the audience curious. However, as the film slowly rolls to the other side, when expedition members get ready to explore a noticeable statue, Ridley Scott seems to remember that PROMETHEUS is Alien's prologue and suddenly turns into a horror movie.
Here, PROMETHEUS takes over all the possible clichés of horror films and becomes very predictable. Let's add that it is surrounded by various existential questions: Where do we come from? How did we get here? Who has created us? Also, there are a variety of multilayered symbols; such as cross that is always worn by archaeologist Elizabeth, or an ancestral building similar to Greek temple.
And we get a movie stuffed so much that it's hard to catch up with what it really is about. It seems that Ridley Scott creating great entertainment films for many years without big pretensions now has aimed a few things this time: to be seen as a very serious director and to please cinematic viewers, but has did not hit both targets.
Alien's prologue PROMETHEUS - Photo credit: imdb
In my opinion, the plot lowered the value of this film. It is so crumpled and inadequate. If you, like me, expect from PROMETHEUS a qualitative and interesting discussion of deep thoughts and a well-beaten philosophy of the film, forget it. Because the dialogues are so badly written that every interesting idea immediately was destroyed completely by the idiotic answer or the reaction of another character to it.
Ridley Scott put the questions of the universe and the origin of man in his project at the forefront, explored the issues of faith and religion, thereby forcing the viewer to perceive more deeply what was happening on the screen. In his interviews, he repeatedly mentioned that, in essence, the plot of the film coincides with his worldview and opinion about this issue, and in general, there are a number of theories on this subject in the world - about the creation of life on Earth by a higher-order alien mind.
PROMETHEUS Movie Review - Photo credit: hipwallpaper
The Characters
Ridley Scott loves and knows how to show women strong and capable of the impossible. In this, perhaps, one of the meanings of the entire Alien franchise: when it comes to survival instincts, the men can immediately be seated on the bench, and only ferocious females go on the ice. And it doesn't matter who it is: woman or humble scholar.
The characters (except for David) are not really revealed at all. It is also poorly understandable what they are doing here because half of them is generally falling to the level of heroes of the average slasher.
The robot David, performed by Michael Fassbender, is the most humane of all people on the ship because he always has something on his mind, but his actions also have no single explanation.
Android David - Photo credit: imdb
While the crew is sleeping, David plays basketball on the spacecraft, learns languages, watches his favorite film, Lorenzo of Arabia, and learns to look and behave like Lorenz. Originally courtesy and attentive, then becoming more ironic - the evolution of David's character, which is increasingly showing his will, is the most interesting thing the film offers.
Upon reaching our destination, we get to know other members of the crew: Meredith (Charlize Theron), the ship's captain Janek (Idris Elba). Among the crew members - archaeologists we already saw. It not worth to remember other characters: they are rather shallow and uninteresting or have too little time to show themselves.
Alien franchise PROMETHEUS - Photo credit: blog.livedoor
The Actors
Michael Fassbender seems to be created for this role, and in general, the question is arising is he a human? The coolest role, yes, you got it right, was with Michael Fassbender. The film can rightly be considered a horror only because it has an android, David.
Unlike Ash (Ian Holm’s character in Alien), David is an earlier android, and he doesn’t pretend to be human. He is always helpful and sweet; he will help and support. But at the same time, he has such a view that I would not only fear to turn my back to him but would not risk being alone in one room.
At first, he says something in a calm, polite voice, and then he will look that way, which is just goosebumps. It is difficult to describe in words; you just have to see it.
Aliens prologue, PROMETHEUS, cast - Photo credit: imdb
Noomi Rapace is chosen for the role very well. there is no new Ripley from her, of course, but these are still very different characters. Elizabeth Shaw is a tragic character, but fortunately, they did not go into the depths of her past. It is worth to thank those filmmakers who invited her to Hollywood from distant and foggy Scandinavia.
Elizabeth Shaw : Final report of the vessel Prometheus. The ship and her entire crew are gone. If you're receiving this transmission, make no attempt to come to its point of origin. There is only death here now, and I'm leaving it behind. It is New Year's Day, the year of our Lord, 2094. My name is Elisabeth Shaw, last survivor of the Prometheus. And I am still searching.
Credit: quote from PROMETHEUS
Logan Marshall-Green performed very well.
Charlize Theron was not allowed to reveal fully her personage, and in the finale, she was treated extremely stupid, but she looked excellent in the role of a strong-willed and rigid Meredith.
In a small role, Guy Pearce seemed heavily battered with make-up, but I don’t want to talk about him, because these half-idols in such films are already so boring; how many can you shove them everywhere?
Funny played Idris Elba in the role of Prometheus' captain. Where it was necessary, he joked a little; where it was necessary, thoughtfully looked into space.
bitLanders AI-Themed Blogging: PROMETHEUS Movie Review - Photo credit: dziennikwschodni
The Technical Side
Talking about the technical side, it is worth noting that Ridley Scott did not take the well-known path, and this is wonderful. He refused the idea of creating PROMETHEUS according to certain canons, which the modern cinema established now. The director as if burns everything, really all the bridges towards the famous franchise. The trailer is just blatant speculation on the feelings of the viewer. Sir Ridley, a couple with the screenwriter, very skillfully got out of this situation, keeping his words and thoroughly showing the development of xenomorphs without their direct participation.
Well-made ship, no less coolly crafted design of the planet, where the main action takes place. The external situation pleased. The special effects were great, although I would not call them such a masterpiece and would not say that the film was oversaturated with them. And in 3D everything looks lively and dynamic.
The art direction team made great work. This is a very colorful film. The style of the fantasy world is fully consistent with the images of science fiction painters of 70-80 years. It's stylish and beautiful.
PROMETHEUS Extra deleted scene - Video credit: youtube
Polish operator Dariusz Wolski just perfectly coped with his task. The first 20 minutes of visual enjoyment by the Icelandic beauties overshadowed almost all the flaws in the relaxed plot. Scenes created by Dariusz, literally smelled of water and dampness, which create a thick foggy atmosphere of the birth of a new world.
One nice bonus is classical music throughout the entire movie.
Summary, the film is incredibly beautiful: striking landscapes, special effects, elaboration of details, and amazing clarity of the picture. The scenery, costumes, and creations amazed the imagination, and thanks to all this abundance of goodies, PROMETHEUS earned the highest praise for the technical side of things.
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On A Final Note
The Alien has memorized by its purity. There his glory was hidden, sharply entering the story of cinema. And the PROMETHEUS, though having an impressive spectacle made by Fassbender's android, did not become more interesting than the average film.
Visually verified and chic, this film is undermined by frankly lousy script. And if they worked on it, it could well turn out to be a masterpiece. The film is no philosophical, whatever Ridley Scott says, this is a banal space thriller about a group digging under scientists.
Brilliant. Epic. Haunting. Grotesque. Great.
Credit: richardroeper
In general, there are left solid questions, the answers to which the film did not give. And everything turned out in such a way that even though there are a great many unanswered questions, there seems to be nothing to shoot the second film about! But as we know, the second film was shot too.
My rating: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 73/100
Metacritic: 64/100
Critics average: 68/100
IMDb: 7.0/10
HAVE FUN!
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