Cinema Review - Prometheus

It has been a while since I posted a review on this, my very own blog, and what better way to come back than with a film everyone has been talking about...


It’s amazing to think that in a blockbuster season consisting of two of the most popular comic book franchises ever, it is another film that seems to have ramped up the marketing and sent the hype factor into ultimate overdrive. Prometheus is the long-awaited latest entry into Ridley Scott’s Alien universe and has been one that fans of the series have craved since a series of misfiring sequels. Sometimes, though, where expectations hit their peak, films ultimately let fans down and in Prometheus’ case this could well be the biggest let-down of the year.


After Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and partner Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) discover identical markings on a number of cave paintings littered around the world, it sets off an expedition into an unknown world where the origins of mankind may finally be discovered. Teaming with individuals working for global colossus Weyland Industries, the 16-man crew embark on a journey into the unknown on their ship, Prometheus. Upon landing in the unknown territory, it soon becomes clear that they will get more than they ever could have bargained for.

Ridley Scott was always going to revisit the franchise that he so wonderfully set up way back in 1979, but even with today's advanced technology on his side, Prometheus is let down by pure loss of direction and mediocre scripting. Before we focus on why it doesn't quite hit the sweet spot, there are some plus points along the way.


Visually, the film is a beautiful spectacle; a grand ship the focal point for the opening scenes whilst making way for splendidly eery landscapes and moments of awe in which our characters find themselves in the midst of technology from the future. Admittedly, the 3D tends to give up after a mere 20 minutes of the film but is saved by moments of brilliance in the computer generated arena. 


In terms of star power, Prometheus contains enough heavyweight acts to breeze through but it is only a select few who come out unscathed. Charlize Theron's moody Weyland boss Meredith Vickers is a treat in terms of a character we can love to hate, whilst Idris Elba's ship captain offers sarcasm and laughs to the full. 


Coupled with these impressive performances, it is Michael Fassbender who steals the show as android David. An often misunderstood individual by his crew, David is the most interesting of the 16-man gang and Fassbender captures the feeling of a non-human somehow inch-perfect. Resulting in the character becoming the most intriguing of them all, David's persistence in uncovering the truth is both fascinating and keeps us guessing as to his motives on the mission. 

Moving on to the less-than-satisfying, and it is unfortunate that Noomi Rapace, as exceptional a leading lady she has proved to be in the past, is frustratingly ordinary. Almost as if she is holding back, Rapace never quite gets to grip with her role in the vain of Weaver's Ripley. At times likeable, but ultimately flat, Rapace never quite commands her scenes over her supporting cast and is often outshone by those who should not be in the limelight.


Moving on, the film's structure never allows a sense of fluidity and is often a misguidance in keeping the audience on track with the story. Partly expecting a similar feel to Scott's original, Alien, the plot wavers off plot from the Alien universe in some ways and this, in turn, provides more than a little disappointment.


Unable to fully maintain a claustrophobic feel to the proceedings and any real memorable sequences, Prometheus is a huge turn in direction to what many may have expected and because of this, fails to wow to its full potential. With further viewings, the thesis of Scott's world may be uncovered more but on first view it results in the hype machine failing to deliver the goods.


Film rating: 3 out of 5 F's

Long Weekend Review - Ridley Scott Classics, Shakespeare And An F1 Legend

With the advantage of a 3 day weekend at my disposal, this week I took the decision to visit some previously uncovered ground in film. Following a cinema trip to see Disney's John Carter (my review for Filmoria can be seen here), things took a more serious turn.

First up was a first watch of Ridley Scott's war epic Black Hawk Down. Featuring an all-star cast including Ewan McGregor, William Fichtner, Josh Hartnett and Eric Bana, it was a superb depiction of a group of U.S. soldiers in Somalia on a mission to capture two lieutenants in conjunction with a notorious warlord. With such an impressive cast and exceptional cinematography, Black Hawk Down is a truly memorable experience. Capturing the devastation and destruction of war seamlessly, Scott provides the viewer with characters we can all root for as well as a story that unfolds spectacularly with every passing minute. At times shocking and constantly keeping you on your toes, Black Hawk Down is as impressive a war film as any you will witness.
Rating: 4 out of 5 F's

From a war-time epic to Shakespeare. The next film I encountered was Roland Emmerich's Anonymous. Taking a break from destroying every known landmark in the world, Emmerich brings us the story of how Shakespeare may not have even been the one who wrote all those sonnets and plays.
In short, it's boring, dull, a yawnfest, you get my drift. What appears to be a somewhat ludicrous storyline only shows in a film that lacks any edge and falls flat. One to avoid.
Rating: 1 out of 5 F's

After a disappointingly terrible film it would take a lot to lift the mood and a move into documentary territory saw me watch Senna. Focusing on the life of Ayrton Senna, the film was 100 minutes of sheer fascinating viewing. From his beginning in kart racing to his tragic death at the age of just 34, Senna was a truly remarkable individual and this BAFTA-winning documentary is a wonderful look into the trials and tribulations of his life in Formula One racing. Looking in detail at his rivalry with one-time team-mate Alain Prost and focusing on the politics involved in the sport, this is one for all interested in the sport and viewers who want an insight into a truly gifted person. Well worthy of its accolade and a joy to watch.
Rating: 4 out of 5 F's

From a modern classic of a documentary to yet more Ridley Scott and finally I got the chance to watch not one but two science fiction behemoths of film. shocking as it sounds I had never watched the two giants that are Blade Runner and Alien (plenty of Twitter backlash on this one, rightly!). Fortunately yesterday broke that revelation.

Blade Runner has a simple yet superb plot. Harrison Ford is a retired 'blade runner', a law enforcement officer whose job was to hunt down 'replicants' and dispose of them. In 2019, replicants, formerly used as slaves to the humans, are illegal and any found are to be eliminated. When rogue replicants steal a ship and return to Earth in search for their maker Ford's Deckard is tasked with sorting the problem, but Roy (Rutger Hauer) the leader is one hell of a formidable foe.
Ridley Scott's vision of the future looks as impressive in this day and age as it would have in 1982. This speaks volumes and shows how magnificent Blade Runner looks. I admit, I had slight doubts that this would be the 'classic' that all and sundry have dubbed it but it has to be said it is one of the best science fiction movies ever made. Ford is the perfect lead and his opponent Rutger Hauer oozes evil with his own unique style.
Rating: 5 out of 5 F's

My final film of the weekend came in the form of THE best sci-fi horror of all time. You know I can only be talking about Alien.
When the crew of the Nostromo receive an unknown distress signal they investigate a planetoid only to find the remains of an alien and a large group of eggs ready to hatch. When one does hatch and a creature latches itself onto one of the crew, he is returned to the ship and, after that shocking and iconic chest-bursting scene, an alien is let loose aboard the craft.
As each of the crew falls to the formidable evil lurking in the shadows, only one individual has the courage to face up to the monster, that woman is Ripley (Sigourney Weaver).
A lesson in how to create tension, Alien is a terrifying ordeal once the monster itself is unleashed on the spaceship. Claustrophobic, scary as hell and ultimately the most tense sci-fi to ever hit screens, Alien is a pure master class of film-making.
Rating: 5 out of 5 F's