It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I
High concept science fiction films are somewhat rare. There are lots of science fiction horror films, more than enough science fiction action thrillers, plenty of comic book adaptations, but not many science fiction films that attempt to create a thought-provoking experience for the audience. Examples would be Blade Runner, District 9, Solaris (either version), 2001, Soylent Green, Inception, - perhaps Moon, if you're feeling generous - and I expected to be able to add Prometheus to the list.
Sadly, that's not how it worked out.
On paper, Prometheus should qualify automatically. In 2089, archeologists find evidence that humanity is the creation of an alien race - not only that, but they also discover the point of origin for these Engineers, as they call them. The archeologists convince the elderly head of Weyland Enterprises to fund an expedition to that point of origin in hopes of finding either proof of the existence of the aliens, or the Engineers themselves. The expedition is accompanied by an android, who acts as a metaphor for the experience of being a created entity.
This is good solid stuff: the opportunity to stand before the creators of our species and ask them why we were created, what our purpose is as a species, and perhaps to form a bond with these long-lost parents of humanity.
Or not.
In spite of the enormous potential of the concept, Prometheus fails under the weight of the numerous inconsistencies, dead ends, moments of illogic, and lost opportunities that dominate the script. Characters die pointlessly, plot details are introduced that offer nothing to the story, there's no sense to the flow of events, and important story points seem to just pop into existence rather than developing logically.*
To be fair, the actors all do good work, and there are some very powerful individual scenes. The art direction is excellent, and of course Ridley Scott knows how to point a camera and light a scene, but none of those things are enough to redeem the flaws in the script.
I really wanted to like this movie, but after seeing it, I have to consider Prometheus as an ambitious failure, a film which, like the prop conduits in the original Star Trek series, goes nowhere - and does nothing. Near the start of Prometheus Charlize Theron's character introduces herself by saying, "Good morning. I am Meredith Vickers, and it is my job to make sure you do yours." How unfortunate that no one performed that role for the makers of this movie.
- Sid
* I can post a long list of specific examples if no one cares about spoilers.
Although I agree with many of your criticisms I still enjoyed the movie. I would rate it a B+. As far as illogical inconsistencies go, I tend to find those amusing rather than annoying.....but then again, I find the thought of huge prehistoric fish getting into an amusement park and laying waste to the cannon fodder patrons (fish food perhaps?) to be amusing as well. "Are you not entertained?!" Yes, I was :-)
ReplyDeleteI went to see it at the Ridge of all places yesterday. I would love to hear you trot out the long list of inconsistencies next time we meet. And I did like the fact that a victim did manage to cheat death after being impregnated by an alien - for once.
ReplyDeleteChris
It's amazing how the alien DNA only infected her reproductive system - once she gave herself a C section, she was fine! Well, as fine as one can be under those circumstances.......
ReplyDeleteAh, well, I don't think that Doctor Shaw was infected as such. Given that after intimate contact with her boyfriend the only result was an apparent pregnancy, that would seem to indicate that secondary transmission wasn't a factor.
ReplyDeleteThen what was in the good doctor's tummy? That was probably mutated, weaponized sperm - ejaculate with an attitude, if you will. A strong argument for the use of condoms at all times...
- Sid