Prometheus

I believe one of the most liked, watched and enjoyed genres Hollywood has made and we have seen is science-fiction. We all have witnessed a plethora of sci-fi flicks in the past with a hope, in many cases, that maybe, just maybe some of the things, places in these movies possibly will happen in our future. However with "Prometheus", one may not have that feeling after leaving the theater.

A team of scientists including Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace), Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green), Fifield (Sean Harris), Milburn (Rafe Spall) and others journey through the universe on the spaceship "Prometheus" in the year 2093 on a voyage to investigate alien life forms which the scientists feel has a connection with many past civilizations they've dug up on earth.The team which consist of an android, David (Michael Fassbender) and a captain, Janek (Idris Elba) and is headed up by Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) and funded by the very old Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce) become stranded on an Alien world, and as they struggle to survive, it becomes crystal clear that the horrors they experience are not just a threat, but that of mankind also.

Others to round out the cast are Emun Elliott as Chance, Benedict Wong as Ravel, Kate Dickie as Ford, Patrick Wilson as Shaw's father, and Lucy Hutchinson as young Shaw.

As with 1979's "Alien", this was also well crafted by veteran director Ridley Scott ("Blade Runner" '82, "Thelma & Louise" '91, "White Squall" '96, "Gladiator" 2000, "Black Hawk Down" '01, "Matchstick Men" '03, "American Gangster" '07, "Body of Lies" '08, "Robin Hood" '10). I previously mentioned "Alien", because this film was touted as being a prequel to "Alien" which it clearly is not. There is very little, if any connection between the two films. Sure, they both were directed by Scott, the production design/creature design was definitely influenced by H.R. Giger, the designer of the alien in "Alien", in both films, they wake up after a long hyper sleep and then engage in a meal together, but the essence, premise and plot of both films clearly did not connect. As an original film, "Prometheus" scored, but as a prequel, NOT! This was written by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof.

Of course, the visual effects and animation predominately designed and created by Weta Digital, Ltd. and MPC (Moving Picture Company) were absolutely stunning. You will even find that the way the title of the film, as it appeared at the beginning, which was designed by Prologue Films was reminiscent of the way the main title of "Alien" was designed. It was presented in 3D, but save some bucks, because I don't think it would make that much of a difference.

As this movie is as stunning as it appears, the non-connection of the two films will seem a bit disappointing. But if you can get into the impressive production values that this film delivers, that should compensate to a measurable degree.

Out of 4 stars: 2.5                   Rated: R                      124min.