'PROMETHEUS'

'PROMETHEUS' (R) (3 1/2 STARS)

Written by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof
Directed by Ridley Scott
Actors: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green, Guy Pearce

There is no one better than Ridley Scott when he is on top of his game, which is most of the time. From the original, science fiction horror masterpiece "Alien" to my favorite science fiction movie of all time "Blade Runner" to the iconic "Thelma and Louise" (in my top 25 movies of the 90's). Scott has made his best movie in a very long time with the visually stunning and very effective "Prometheus". Scott's latest has been hyped as the prequel to "Alien" but who will care when you are watching this hypnotic movie with many effective jolts that will either make you squirm in your seats or jump out of them. "Prometheus" is equally as beautiful as "Blade Runner" and a great companion piece to the original "Alien".

Like the original "Alien" a crew of scientists and an android travel in a spaceship named Prometheus toward a distant and new planet to discover if they can figure out the origins of man. The original "Alien" had spare dialogue and a lot of classic and great shocks. "Prometheus" has those cool shock and gore scenes but a little more talk and science, mumbo jumbo expsosition. A little less of the religious and goofy talk and more atmosphere could have made this a masterpiece like "Alien". Scott wants to explore more plot and deeper meaning as the scientists argue the origin of man and some religion and mythology. It is interesting stuff in the beginning but less of it later could have made this movie a subtle masterpiece like "Alien".

The movie still rocks though with the best use of 3D photography since "Avatar" sucking us into Scott's World. I actually felt like the whole movie screen was circling around me and enveloping me into into this breathtaking vision of Ridley Scott. Scott is one of the best directors when it comes to capturing visuals on the screen, using the best Director of Photographers, and making his movies look haunting and beautiful. I also like most of the screenplay and story when it concentrates on it's characters and Scott made a brilliant choice in choosing co-screenwriter Damon Lindelof, writer of the brilliant TV series "Lost", to tell his story. I thought some of the talk should have been toned down but there are some captivating ideals at work here.

This movie is a visual delight and it has some perfectly directed shock set pieces that I loved and fans of "Alien" will adore.
I loved a scene concerning an alien that looks like a snake and what is does to two of the men in the crew. I also loved a do it yourself surgery scene that is as equally disturbing and effective as the alien jumping out of John Hurt's chest scene in "Alien". The movie's scares come in crisp, quick strikes and it's fun seeing scares and action that are simply and effectively done. Unlike other movies of this ilk that I have seen in the past years. Scott doesn't just throw things at you, there is actual care here and Hitchcock like precision. Oh and did I mention this is one of the most visually beautiful movies I have ever seen?

"Prometheus" has a great cast of great actors who all score here with effective performances that don't ham it up. Noomi Rapace (the Swedish "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo") has the Sigourney Weaver type role and she does an effective and commendable job. The suddenly hot and very fine actor Michael Fassbender plays the requisite android who has shiny blonde hair and he is very great here at playing someone without emotion perfectly like it is required. You also have some great gritty acting by my favorite actor these days Idris Elba and also Michael Logan-Green. They provide some character to the movie with charisma and some humor.

"Prometheus" may be a prequel to "Alien" or it may not. You will have to see the movie and it's final shot to find out if you think it is. At no point does it really set us up for "Alien" during the telling of it's story and since most of us have already seen "Alien" who cares. All I know is that "Prometheus" makes up for those horrible "Alien vs Predator" movies and the horrible and pretentious "Alien 3" and the huge mistake "Alien: Ressurection". It is a visually stunning movie with great scares, a great set up on story and premise and some solid acting. I was a little dissapointed in where some of the story went and this is no "Alien" but it is a thought provoking visual feast of scares and intensity. I want to see it again because I think it demands it because this is very close to another masterpiece for Ridley Scott.