Film review: Prometheus (4 out of 5 stars)

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Noomi Rapace, Logan Marshall-Green, Michael Fassbender

THIS was definitely one of the movies I was looking forward to this year, following all the hype and dramatic trailers.

However, if you’re an ‘Alien’ fan like me you may end up a bit frustrated and confused by this ‘prequel’.

If you ignore Ridley Scott’s brilliant 1979 movie then you’ll very likely enjoy Prometheus as a sci-fi story with some great ideas, amazing effects and nice dose of horror thrown in.

The crew of the spaceship Prometheus set off in search of a race represented in cave paintings by ancient civilisations on Earth. Could these tall visitors hold the key to our existence?

Couple Elizabeth Shaw (Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Marshall-Green), along with other scientists, set off on an expedition funded by a wealthy and very old businessman Peter Weyland (played by the young Guy Pearce in heavy make-up rather than having someone older take on the role).

The opening scene on the alien planet is excellent and promises much, but this is much more of an action movie than one questioning the meaning of life.

Fassbender, as the obligatory robot in an Alien film, is very good and Rapace is another strong ‘Ripley’ like character.

Charlize Theron, as the company’s representative on board, has probably the best role, though her final scene is rather silly.

Overall, a solid sci-fi action film, but if want to see a truly great movie of this genre, go back to the original.

Steve Payne

Screening courtesy of Cineworld Crawley