[xrr rating=4.5/5]
Here’s a wonderful way to look at the creation of life… and death.
Do you like science-fiction? I like science-fiction. I like science-fiction a lot. And there’s nothing better than a science-fiction film that really makes you think.
I hope you like science-fiction. And I hope you like to think, because I’ve got the movie for you: “Prometheus.”
Have you heard of it? Well, it’s been marketed out the wazoo over the past three months, and it soared into theatres this past weekend.
And it’s DEFINITELY worth seeing.
It’s directed by the critically acclaimed director, Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Thelma & Louise, Black Hawk Down). But what may have put Scott on the map was the 1979 mega sci-fi hit, “Alien.”
“Alien” may be one of the best science-fiction films ever. Maybe. I can’t give you my honest opinion on this because it came out in 1979 and I was much too young to go see a rated R film. Believe me, I wanted to see it, but my mother ran a tight ship in the Kelley household, and “no” meant NO WAY! By the time I was old enough to see the film (1988-89) I had outgrown the urge to watch it, and there were other sci-fi movies wetting my whistle by then (Back to the Future 2, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, My Stepmother is an Alien, etc.).
What I can tell you is, everybody and their sister has been saying that “Prometheus” is the prequel to “Alien” and I HAVE TO see “Alien.” But why? If it’s the prequel to “Alien” then it won’t freaking matter if I see it or not! It’s all happening before that movie even begins, right?
Anyway, I haven’t seen “Alien” yet, but I did go see “Prometheus.” Twice. And that’s what I’m going to review.
This film has everything a thinking theatre-goer would want in a movie. It makes you think about your faith and where you came from. It makes you think of how you came to be and where you will eventually go. And it makes you think about how gigantic the universe truly is. Are we alone? That’s a question that I love to run through my brain all the time, and when someone puts their thoughts into a film of what may be, well, that just blows my mind… and I absolutely love it.
Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof wrote the film. I just love their imaginations. They put some serious thought into how we got here. It makes me think that their minds are WIDE OPEN… but remember, they are writing a movie, so they got to make it interesting. It ain’t all good, but it is interesting.
I’m writing too much about the “who” of the movie. It’s time to write about the actual movie. Sorry about that.
Two scientists discover ancient paintings on walls all over the world at around the year 2089. After studying the pictures, they figure out it’s an invitation for them to meet the “engineers” who created man.
A team of 17 people (and one android) set out on a journey aboard the Prometheus to find the engineers that created us. It’s a two and a half year trek, but they finally make it to their destination.
They land on a moon that is barren, but they know this is the right place. They set out to find what they can and eventually the unexpected happens. They find death. Lots of death. They try to figure out how this could happen, but by the time they do, death is on their doorstep.
Listen, you go looking for stuff that you don’t have answers to, then expect the unexpected, right? I mean, they were looking for the engineers who created mankind, and they found weapons of mass destruction. I mean, go figure! Chaos, man! Utter chaos.
Not only do they NOT have the answers to the questions they had, now they are in a battle to save mankind! Basically, they opened up a HUGE can of worms, and they can’t get the lid back on.
This is a brief “Matty Review” of the movie. The story is much more complex and way more interesting… but if you were in my head right now, you would totally understand what I’m thinking, and you would absolutely love my thoughts on this film. Trust me, the movie is playing in my head right now and I’m totally loving it.
Let’s get to the actors.
Noomi Rapace plays Dr. Elisabeth Shaw. She’s pretty much the main character. She’s a scientist, but she believes in something. She wears a crucifix necklace, because “that’s what she chooses to believe.” Yeah, there are some contradictions there. She also has a magnificant C-section solo surgery scene. MAGNIFICANT!
Logan Marshall-Green plays Charlie Holloway. He’s a scientist too. He doesn’t have the same belief system as Elisabeth Shaw. But they are lovers. And love they do make. He also reminds me of a smaller version of Tom Hardy (Inception).
Charlize Theron plays the strict head of the Prometheus, Merideth Vickers. Short on words and ill-tempered, she plays a mean old bat (that’s young) who wants everything done her way… oh, and she’s SO hot and has perfect hair and nicely fitting clothes.
Michael Fassbender may have played his best role in this film since he did his full-frontal nudity scene in last year’s “Shame.” (I saw – I mean – I hear he was fantastic in that film.) Fassbender plays David, an android aboard the Prometheus who is there to pretty much help everybody with everything. For a robot, he had a great disposition, and a nice, dry sense of humor, and his delivery of his lines was spot on.
And finally, Guy Pearce. I love this guy, (Pearce), but he was under-utilized in this film. He played a very old rich man named Peter Weyland. I liked him, but you never look correct when the make-up artists try to age you. He had a huge head and his wrinkles were terrible. I thought HE was the alien!
Other than “Old Big Wrinkle Head,” this movie was superb. The way the movie begins is wonderful and the way it ends leaves you wanting more… and you’ll eventually get more.
I have seen on my Facebook page that some of my friends didn’t like it as much as I did. Well, that’s their opinion. Some of my friends at work loved it, and we’ve been talking about it for two days. And that’s our opinion. Then, I’ve looked at some of my peers (Fellow Professional Movie Reviewers, the FPMR for short) thoughts on it, and it’s pretty positive. Entertainment Weekly gave it a B+. I give it an A++.
This movie has it all. Creationism, heroism, and terrorism. How could a movie with all that be bad?
Have you seen this movie? Where did your mind go during the film? What were you thinking about? Let me know, I’d love to hear what was going on in your head during the flick.
“Big things have small beginnings.”
Matty W. Kelley
Fun Fact: The Xenomorph (the alien from the film “Alien”) makes an appearance at the end of this film.
Fun Matty Fact: My mother wouldn’t let me see a lot of rated R movies when I was younger. Still to this day I have never seen “Scarface,” “Psycho” or any of the “Godfather” films. But sadly, I HAVE seen that TERRIBLE movie, “John Carter.”