Ryan McNeil
The Greek myth of Prometheus wants us to understand a lesson: For every technological advancement (such as the fire Prometheus brought to mere mortals), there runs the risk of severe consequences. The consequences can be both foreseeable, or unavoidable, but they are surely there. Knowing that such consequences exist, why is it that we continue on our eternal quest?
Perhaps being the mortal recipients of technology wasn’t enough – perhaps we want to be the god that brings the fire.
PROMETHEUS centres around scientists Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall Green). They are archeologists who believe there are untold secrets in mankind’s origins, and believe so due to star maps discovered amongst the artifacts of several completely unrelated ancient civilizations. Convinced they have correlated those maps to their point of origin in the universe, the archeologists persuade the founder of The Weyland Corporation t stake a mission to the deepest reaches of space, so they can find out what awaits them.
The team assembled to make the journey on the vessel Prometheus, consists of Janek (Idris Elba) a blue collar captain, Vickers (Charlize Theron) a supervising Weyland liaison, scientists Milburn and Fifield (Rafe Spall and Sean harris), and an android named David (Michael Fassbender). Not all of them believe in the mission’s merit, but they are all prepared to take Weyland’s money.
Prometheus lands on the distant moon LV-223, choosing to investigate a curious straight line of hills. The hills prove to be unnatural – seemingly “man-made” as they include features like doors. As the team enters into the first hollowed-out hill, they soon discover the first answer this hidden moon is holding.
As they follow a long series of hidden caves, they eventually come upon alien corpses – one of which has been decapitated by a nearby blast door. When David manages to open the door, the crew stands in awe of a temple-like room…filled with oblong canisters…and a giant statue of a face.
The first answer has only led to more questions.
PROMETHEUS has no interest in playing things straight, so if you are looking for a flat-out prequel to Ridley Scott’s ALIEN, you’d best move along. This film doesn’t want to fill in every detail of what Dallas, Kane, and Lambert found in that chamber after disembarking The Nostromo. Instead, what PROMETHEUS wants to do is expound the original horror story, and turn it into a conversation that is far more vast…one about spirituality, existentialism, science, and faith.
The myth of Prometheus is about the desire to advance ourselves as a species, and the consequences that such desire can bring…or to paraphrase a twenty year-old blockbuster, the fact that we as a species spend so much time trying to figure out if we could, that we barely pay much attention to whether or not we should. Humanity can become obsessed with what we don’t know, and with each passing age we come closer and closer to getting the answers to the biggest questions: who we are and where we come from. However, time and again we forget that in bringing that fire of knowledge to the world, we risk a torturous punishment.
The core of PROMETHEUS comes down to Elizabeth and David.
Elizabeth is something of a paradox herself: a scientist who believes in God. She is a woman dedicating her life’s work to unearthing the very building blocks of our universe, and doing it all while quietly acknowledging a supreme deity that put those building blocks in place. At one point, the role of God is boiled down to the ability to create life, and Charlie suggests a theory that anyone who can create life must be a god. In this moment, we discover that Elizabeth herself cannot have children, leading her to ask what that makes her. If the inability to create life excludes her from being a god, is her existence something less than those of us who can? Perhaps this quiet frustration is what leads Elizabeth to make the dangerous decisions she makes. Further, perhaps this frustration is what has driven her on this entire ambitious quest.
With that in mind, it could be said that what Elizabeth represents is how the most ambitious scientific advancements are driven by the desire to close the gap between God and humanity.
David, on the other hand has no use for gods: he’s trying to be more human. We see this when his character is introduced, and he joyfully plays basketball. A robot is designed to work, so if he is going to be something more, he must learn to take value from individual enjoyment to compliment his technological proficiency. We also see him trying to be human by aping what he sees. Just like a young boy practicing his best pickup lines, he rehearses his demeanour in front of a mirror after watching LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. For David, mankind is God: we are his creator and what he is striving to be.
So what we have is story, where a human tries to be more like God, with a robot right beside her trying to be more like a human. What’s interesting, is the robot is trying what we all try as children – he is trying to please his parents. Elizabeth on the other hand, has quietly stopped trying to please hers. Thus, the film poses another question: Is it better to equal our creators, or please them?
That all of this philosophy and theology is interwoven into an epic spectacle is something truly special. It must have been so tempting for the filmmakers just to want to fill in the blanks of what we already know…to present PROMETHEUS as a typical prequel that’s really just a gussied-up rehash. Instead, Ridley Scott has both amazed us as moviegoers and challenged us. He knows that we know the lethal danger contained on this world, and still finds ways to leave us gnashing our teeth with a heightened sense of dread. But while we cower at the thought of a parasite escaping its host (or invading its host in this case), he uses the down moments to have a bigger conversation – one with no clear answers.
There’s the rub: If what you want from PROMETHEUS is pure entertainment, you will likely be let down, just as so many are when they ultimately get the answer to a lingering question. If, on the other hand, you value a Hollywood film that can wax philosophical about the unending quest for knowledge, then this film has a lot to offer you.
In general, science fiction has a hard time aging well. Inevitably, we eclipse both the technology and the age, and what once seemed to be something beyond our imagination dwindles down to something quaint. What allows the best science fiction to endure is the way it uses the medium to have a conversation about timeless and universal ideas. By building PROMETHEUS on a foundation of truth-seeking and existentialism, Ridley Scott has done something daring…something that will divide audiences…but something that will ultimately do what only the very best science fiction can do:
PROMETHEUS will endure.
Very insightful.
I loved this film, although my expectations were different. Instead of being disappointed I embraced what this film was about. I cannot wait to see it again.
My expectations took a wicked loop.
I started out being wickedly stoked to see it, and then when the grumpy reactions started coming down the road all last week, I started to wonder what people didn’t like about it.
That had me thinking “This film is divisive…GREAT!!”
Like you, I can’t wait to see it again.
“you value a Hollywood film that can wax philosophical about the unending quest for knowledge”
Damn right. Glad you liked it as much as me!
Now that I’ve seen it, I can finally read your post on it (I was trying to go in blind…well, blinder than usual anyway).
Make sure you listen to the podcast, because we get into a lot of the broader themes.
Now where’s my BATMAN email?
Im on it. Im on it…
Good review. I actually did get a lot of pure entertainment from it, in addition to the philosophical stuff. I was glued to the screen from the first glorious scene. The film has so many memorable set pieces.
Thanks Squasher!
It’s funny; ordinarily when I re-watch a film, that’s when I start seeing it for its deeper themes. I think with PROMETHEUS it’ll be the other way around, the more I re-watch it, the more I can turn my brain off.
…damn, can i buy this on blu-ray yet?
Even though on paper it may seem contradictory, the concept of a relious scientist isn’t as far fetched as it may seem.
I myself am a church-going Catholic, but I don’t blind myself to scientific explainations.
Of course, I don’t want to turn this into a science vs. religion debate, so I’ll stop there.
You’re right: it’s not far-fetched, but at its essence, it’s still a paradox.
It’s a great paradox, and perhaps one that should be more embraced…but it’s still a paradox.
As for the debate, that very much gets explored in the podcast which hits the feed tomorrow (but is embedded on the site now)
yessss! agree with your review. a very daring and successful attempt to rebuild and redefine the genre.
It’s a pity more people don’t see it that way, but then I’m guessing expectations prevented such things.
Interesting. I was less impressed than you, and less stoked to see it going in, so I guess the fact that I didn’t hate it is a shot in its favour! lol
I was frtustrated with a lot of the assumptions the so-called scientists leaped to, though. And a lot of the questions they didn’t bother to ask. I think, like most, they weren’t on a quest to find answers, but actually just trying to prove their own theories, which is a flaw in the world of science.
And really? The definition of a God is the ability to create life? They do understand that getting knocked up isn’t actually creating the life, right? Hooking a body up to machines that make it breathe and pump blood and spark electrical synapses in the brain isn’t the same as creating life, either.
I’m disappointed with all the questions not asked. Hopefully they’ll get around to it in the next film, but for mem, this one felt … I don’t know … under-developed? Definitely like set-up, but almost in a Phantom Menace kind of way – like, the politics and grounds for theories seemed to be more important than letting any of the characters grow to question their own theories. And it felt like it was trying too hard to tie into Alien, as though Scott wasn’t sure people would like it unless he put a bunch of winking-to-the-audience moments in there, so that we’d understand that’s where he intends to end up, evenutally.
I just hope he’s careful with the tech. It’s one thing for everything in a prequel to be shiny and new and advanced when civilization has gone through a long war and everybody’s a little worse off in later movies (ie Star Wars), but when not a ton of time has passed, or at least when there hasn’t been the same kind of down-turn that would cause everyone to be using a lesser grade of technology than the generation before was using, you gotta be careful with making the past look too impressive! lol
It was a fun and interesting flick, but I am kinda surprised that you loved it more than Avengers and Cabin In The Woods, or that you loved it enough to call it the best of the year so far! I am not sure I feel the same, which makes me look forward to riding in to work with you this week! 😉
It’s a pity other readers didn’t take the subway in with us this morning.
You’re absolutely right in question some of the theories that the film puts forth, but for me the fact that a big shiny blockbuster actually puts them forth was what spoke to me. It could have been really easy to show some distant planet where characters (human or not) created the xenomorph and dropped it on that moon…but presenting a shapter one that’s slightly more abstract and open is more interesting to me.
As to the question of me liking this more than CABIN or AVENGERS, it comes down to this film giving me something more than what I expected. CABIN and AVENGERS were both fantastic (so too were MOONRISE KINGDOM, HAYWIRE and HUNGER GAMES to bring everything into the conversation). The only thing that puts PROMETHEUS above those five is that while they all executed and entertained, none of them moved me more than expected or gave me anything that stuck with me.
For me, that’s usually the difference between a 3.5 star review and a 4 star review.
PS – As I mentioned this morning, I love the comments you’ve been leaving lately.
I was a bit cheaper than you and gave it a 4/5. There were some flaws I just couldn’t overlook completely. But my experience of seeing it was wonderful and yes, I consider watching it a second time in a theatre, which is something I never normally do. I liked it that much. It was wonderful to see your enthusiasm and I’m looking forward to hear your podcast about it!
Well the podcast is up, so get ready for some discussion about big themes.
Here’s my question to you though – if you found it so wonderful and would welcome a second trip to see it, shouldn’t that supersede the flaws and nudge it up to a 5?
I agree with you that this was a very detailed and fascinating movie, as well as it being a feast for the eyes. I thought the last minute or so felt tacked on at first, but after reading your review, I think it works to the idea that meeting our gods engenders creations more destructive than we can comprehend (though, with the aliens, we can already imagine how destructive they are). Interesting, heady stuff.
**SPOILERIFIC COMMENT***
Welcome back Danny – been a while!
I got a big smile from that ending, not just because it allows the film to directly reflect similar moments at the end of ALIEN, but because it answers the ultimate question coming into this prequel: WE were where those aliens came from.
Great, great review. It’s nice that you focused on the philosophical and intelectual aspects of Prometheus and not in the acting or the visuals, like most of us do. My favorite part was: “The myth of Prometheus is about the desire to advance ourselves as a species, and the consequences that such desire can bring…or to paraphrase a twenty year-old blockbuster, the fact that we as a species spend so much time trying to figure out if we could, that we barely pay much attention to whether or not we should. Humanity can become obsessed with what we don’t know, and with each passing age we come closer and closer to getting the answers to the biggest questions: who we are and where we come from. However, time and again we forget that in bringing that fire of knowledge to the world, we risk a torturous punishment.”
Just wanted to quickly point out a tiny mistake: the actor’s name is Logan Marshall-Green, not David 🙂
Thanks man.
When it comes to reviewing a film, I feel like so often we all focus on the same things (this scene was pretty, that actor was solid), so the only way I can think of to make my reviews something special…something that people would make a point of coming here to read…is by focusing in on how the film made me feel.
Strange as this sounds, the very best films cause my brain to wander as they play out…and I’m happy to know that some people enjoy reading those wanderings once I write them down.
PS – Thanks for the correction. All fixed.
Nice review and it made me think of the conversation David was having with the scientist at the pool table. This movie is about our existence and mankind’s need for an answer. David asks the question why he was created and the answer is because we could. He then asks how we would feel if we got to hear that answer. In that respect I think this movie would never be able to give answers that would statisfy. People looking for answers to questions they had about the Alien movies don’t really want the answers, they want more mystery. Just look at something like Lost, some things were way cooler when you didn’t have an explanation, just like a magician’s trick isn’t that amazing anymore once you know how it’s done. It makes me wonder if the sequels to Prometheus will give answers to the questions set up in this movie.
Actually, I think people looking for answers *do* want answers, but they want the most kick-ass answers they never could have guessed…which are largely impossible to capture.
I wonder – if PULP FICTION were released today, would viewers call it messy because we never discover what was in the briefcase?
I did love that scene around the pool table, but with so much to take away from this film, that had got muddled in my memory. Thanks for reminding me sir.
Ironically, I liked it MORE as a piece of entertainment than as a thought provoking film.
I’m thankful that it had ambitions along those lines, I really am. A big budget sci-fi action movie WITH ambitious themeatical concepts to impart? HELLS yes! PLEASE!
Unfortunately, I think it tripped over itself trying to convey them. It wound up a bit of a mess. And sacrficed a lot of its thought provoking nature as it devolved into more of a straight up action/horror flick.
I gave it a good grade, it’s still going to wind up much better than 80% of the films in wide release this year. But I can’t rave about it or call it great, as much as I’d like to.
(Darned if this isn’t turning into my most popular review in a big hurry)
You like it more as a piece of entertainment because you’ve only seen it once. I promise you, subsequent watches will send your brain places it didn’t go the first time.
It’s funny, because a problematic film it reminded me of was SUNSHINE – one that was damned-well ignored on its release but seems to be picking up more and more followers as time goes by. Sci Fi has a tendency to do that.
Part of me thinks so many of us were in the ALIEN mindset when we sat down (or “Ten Little Indians” as I said on the podcast). We weren’t ready to adjust.
I liked the movie quite a bit too, though not as much as you (With the exception of David and Liz Shaw, I couldn’t care less about anyone else in the movie). I think it works as an entertaining thriller as well. While Ridley Scott did place some ideas into the story, I don’t think it’s his intention to answer them, just having them there and then have the audience think about it, that’s refreshing for a movie with this scale.
The best thing about the movie is David (played by Michael Fassebender), an android whose motivations and actions I don’t think anyone can completely understand. But he is the character I care about the most, and Fassebender hits another home run here (is there anything he can’t do? Just give him an Oscar already).
I do have a feeling that there is either a sequel or a director’s cut (which Ridley Scott is pretty famous for) coming out of this.
Agreed, agreed, agreed, and agreed.
I think I heard that Scott’s on record as saying that no director’s cut is forthcoming, but I’m actually hopeful that isn’t true because I want to go even deeper into this story.
I don’t really want a sequel, but could be down for spending another two hours with Elizabeth Shaw. Maybe James Cameron could direct it!
I heard somewhere that Ridley mentions he has an idea how the sequel would go. Usually I loath the idea of an sequel, but there is so much more they can explore. It doesn’t even have to have anything related to the Alien franchise.
Speaking of James Cameron, I read a hilarious posting of an imaginary SMS conversation between the engineer and Elizabeth Shaw. I don’t want to intrude your site with external link. It’s quite funny though.
Link away good man – link away!
http://enchantedmitten.blogspot.ca/2003/12/reading-previous-entries-in-this-series.html
I really laugh at this one. Only for people who have seen Prometheus.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Good God that’s awesome! Thank you for that – might have made my entire week.
Another excellent and insightful piece. I agree with you on many levels, I have now seen Prometheus twice (3D and then 2D) and was quietly very impressed with it. I haven’t seen Alien in 20 years and my memory of it is more than slightly fuzzy; therefore I think I was able enjoy it more as a standalone piece rather than an Alien prequel.
The film has of course suffered from its own publicity generating machine so leading to both increased expectations but also a potential misunderstanding of the what the actually film is. Scott has consistantly stated that Prometheus is contained within the Alien universe but is not a prequel and that there will be two more films after Prometheus before we get to Alien.
However the reviews and general reception of the film seem to suggest that people have been unable to leave their Alien (or more likely Aliens) baggage at the door, so are coming away disappointed as it was not the film they either expected or perhaps wanted.
As goos as it was, there were issues with the film. The character development seemed scattered and the themes felt overly forced front and centre. I normally struggle to get the underlying themes in most films on a first watch, but even I understood this one. The final 10 minutes or so also felt really quite rushed.
I would be really interested to understand how the editing process evolved, as at times the film seems a little disjointed and bordering on rushed. I wonder what pressures the studio brought to bear on the running time? However I susepct that this will be explained in the inevitable Directors Cut where we will see what Scott actually wanted on the screen as I suspect that we have not seen his true vision yet.
Overall though I loved it and glad to see someone else did!
Thanks Will!
I actually rewatched ALIEN last week in anticipation of PROMETHEUS, but of course only paid the most attention during the expedition sequence. That said, there are a few callbacks to things that happen after that – the use of flamethrowers, Adams and Ripley both peer through small slivers of glass the same way, etc.
I have to remind myself that I’ve been talking about this film for less than a week, because it feels like with all the conversations I’ve had about it, that it’s a month old by now. You’re right though – I think too many people are coming into this with ALIENS in mind (perhaps ALIEN), and not able to focus on the hypothesis at hand.
I think I’ve become used to my brain filling in the blanks, since I didn’t notice too many missing moments. I say that because you aren’t the first person to point out a disjointed feeling. Maybe I’ll notice it more on subsequent watches.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment sir!
I agree that the film handled the philosophical questions exceptionally well, and managed to tell something of a parable to the original Alien story, enhancing the old while adding something new. However, from a technical point of view, I felt the film was a little rushed at times. Some scenes felt to me like they needed more room to breathe – that they were truncated for the sake of brevity. Perhaps that means we might have a trademark Scott director’s cut coming? I think this merits some discussion in person…
Obviously it’s those philosophical questions that meant the most to me, so as the handling of such details go, so goes the film…
…for me at least.
I’ve already began to wonder what might be expounded in a director’s cut. Part of me has the sneaking suspicion that the content added in wouldn’t be where we all want it to be. That was something I noticed with the extended cut of KINGDOM OF HEAVEN for instance.
I think I’ll have to get myself to another showing to cement some of my theories. Then of course, we drink and we talk!
Great review, man. I think it’s amazing how the reaction to this has been so divisive. It’s not a perfect film — far from it — but it’s a pretty damn fun ride while it lasts. I’m looking forward to the inevitable sequel.
Is a sequel really inevitable? There’s no possible way that subsequent film could provide the kind of satisfying answers that they’re looking for as far as the origins of humanity. And besides, isn’t James Cameron busy with Avatar?
At first I didn’t like the idea of setting up two more films to get the viewers from what happened here to where ALIEN picks up, but another part of me thinks it could work depending on how it’s handled.
I think Cameron has gone on record as saying he has no interest, but I’d wager there are other directors out there that could take the baton.
Someone should convince Fincher to take another swing. Likewise, Who wouldn’t want to see Christopher Nolan’s entry in the series?