Prometheus is a tricky one to review because it’s a minefield of spoilers. Despite it being in theaters for over a week, I don’t want to ruin it for those who plan to see this later or eventually on DVD/Cable. I’ll do my best but anything shown in the trailers/commercials is fair game.
In the latter half of this century, archaeologists Shaw and Holloway discover that multiple earth-based civilizations share a cryptic image pointing toward a particular constellation. They theorize it’s an invitation to seek out who or what lives there. With the backing of the Weyland Corporation, the starship Prometheus takes them and its crew on a two-year trip to make first contact.
Being an R-rated film, this expedition won’t go well.
Let me get the raging nerd argument taking place in a million workplaces, bars and homes out of the way. Is Prometheus a prequel to Alien? Numerous factors point toward “yes” in my opinion. Ridley Scott directed both, HR Giger designs are used (aka the Space Jockey), there’s a human-looking robot amongst the crew and the Weyland Corporation is involved. For those who don’t recognize the latter, the Weyland-Yutani Corporation was Ripley’s employer/nemesis.
There are variables saying “no” too. The titled ship is spacious, bright and comfortable unlike Syd Mead’s cramp and dark predecessors Nostromo and Sulacco; people have first and last names noting it isn’t the same completely impersonal society; Weyland rep Vickers is overcautious, not greedy.
ASTRONOMY NERD ALERT
The planet/moon Prometheus lands on is LV-223. It has a near earth-like but toxic atmosphere and resides at the star Gliese 86. Nostromo went to LV-426. It was a more primordial, Titan-like moon orbiting Zeta Reticuli.
Does it matter? No. Scott made a visually stunning, creepy and thought-provoking Horror/Sci-Fi movie; spoiler territory would be ventured into if I explained. I am glad the studio backed him on keeping the R rating which is the kiss of death for a mass audience. Not everything produced needs to cater toward children yet I would prefer a ratings system based upon intelligence over age; I could’ve handled Prometheus at 13, same as Blade Runner. Thus, it’s safe to take pre-teen kid with supervision.
Prometheus was shot with 3-D cameras so the extra money and annoying glasses will be rewarded should you choose the option.
Alamo perks: trailers for Alien 2 (horrible Italian ripoff movie), another knockoff in German, a USCM training gag on handling alien eggs/facehuggers, trailer for Planet of the Vampires (what Alien “borrowed”), the Spaceballs gag starring John Hurt, HiSHE‘s take on Aliens and snippets of Chapparal Ice’s final days’ presentation…Aliens on Ice. Obviously the viral Prometheus stuff to get the audience primed: TED 2023 with Peter Weyland, a David (robot) commercial and Dr. Shaw trying to contact Sir Peter Weyland.
Thus ends the spoiler-free part.
Should you choose to keep on reading, then you’re still curious about the prequel debate and more importantly…does Prometheus answer the 33-year-old questions surrounding the Space Jockey(s) race? Again, each viewer must decide unless Scott definitively answers. He may take the “implying” route a la Blade Runner regarding Decker being a replicant too. As for the Space Jockey(s), more questions are raised, the creature receives a new moniker, evolutionary theory gets crapped on and the enigma continues. I prefer the mystery remaining intact. Case in point, the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire from Star Wars. George Lucas finally addressed them with his three crappy prequels with immensely disappointing results. Even if Lucas handed the historical events over to more talented writers who developed more plausible explanations, a noisy faction of fans would still bitch. Scott is no Lucas thankfully and the former’s wisdom is proof.