Prometheus
{4/5} “Big things have small beginnings.”
Prometheus, released in 2012
Archeologists have found evidence in multiple places on Earth that aliens have visited in the past. It’s possible that the aliens even left us a clue as to where to find them. In the late 21st century the Weyland Corporation sends a ship to that corner of the galaxy — where they find a planet with some interesting features. The extremely elderly Peter Weyland is looking for eternal life, archeologist Elizabeth Shaw is looking for the creators of humans, and one is never sure what the android David is looking for.
I’ll reveal how this movie is or isn’t connected to the Alien universe at the end after the “Spoiler alert.”
Prometheus sets a new standard for the look of a science fiction film — it’s absolutely stunning. If you’re only going to see one movie on the big screen this month, this is the one to see. I saw it in 2D.
There’s a lot to like in this movie — much of the plot works quite nicely, and the characters are all unique individuals. Unfortunately there are a few too many things that don’t make sense.
I liked the mysterious music quite a bit — it’s by Marc Streitenfeld (The Grey), who I was previously unaware of. Additional music was composed by Harry Gregson-Williams (Chicken Run). Some of Jerry Goldsmith’s music from Alien is also featured, which is a very nice touch.
Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Logan Marshall-Green (the TV show Dark Blue) play the archeologists, Elizabeth and Charlie, who found the cave paintings that led to the mission. Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class) plays David. Charlize Theron (The Italian Job) plays Meredith, who’s not the captain of the ship but is somehow in charge. Guy Pearce (Memento) plays Peter Weyland. And Idris Elba (RocknRolla) plays Janek, the captain of the ship.
The movie was directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner).
Spoiler alert
This movie is a prequel to Alien, and on the whole it very cleverly sets things up for that movie. A few things have been reimagined, but it’s still a prequel.
One of my remaining questions about the movie: Why did David intentionally infect Charlie?