What were people expecting?

Rating: 10/10 (9 June 2012)

I just came back from seeing this movie, twice! Yes, it is that good. I saw it in both formats: 3D and 2D. Definitely go see it in 3D, and in IMAX 3D if you have the chance. I really felt the movie benefited a lot from the 3D and the detail due to the amazing visuals. Anyways, as it seems that every review agrees that the visuals are amazing, I will get on with the rest.
First, the performances. The highlight in this film was definitely Noomi Rapace (Elizabeth Shaw) and Michael Fassbender (David the android). Noomi Rapace gave such a convincing and emotional performance in a character who is so sensitive but which brings out such a fighter that I was rooting for her character from the moment in which her life begins to peril. She was really good at bringing to life such a character. I was really amazed at how good she was playing Elizabeth Shaw. There are at least two scenes (will not detail either because that would spoil some of the story) in which her character is in a sort of suffering (will not detail what kind, again, because that would imply spoilers) that I felt like jumping into the movie/story to help her in some way. I really think and hope that she will receive recognition(s) for her performance. Fassbender was excellent at playing an android. It seems like a big challenge for a human (full of emotions, with free will) to play and embody a robot (no emotions at all, no free will), but Fassbender does it flawlessly. The body language, facial expressions, etc., he does it perfectly. Idris Elba was very good at playing the captain; bringing charisma, a little humor, and a good amount of authority and responsibility. Logan Marshall-Green was also very above average, but I will not go into his character as that would hint spoilers as well. Charlize Theron was also excellent playing her character, including the "suit" aspect as well as other (spoilery) aspects. At first it seems some of the characters are not fleshed out, but the more you think about them, the more you get a nice, very dimensional image of these characters who could be real people. The rest of the cast is good as well but they do not get enough screen time (the movie is only two hours long, at the cast includes over 17 people).
Second, expectations. This is a very touchy subject in regards to this movie, and it is the reason which most people that were disappointed were so. Many were expecting some sort of Alien (1979) film. Others were expecting a stand-alone, original story. And others were expecting to witness the greatest thing in their lives. First of all, it is a movie; a horror/thriller/sci-fi movie. Thus, it will not change your life dramatically or have a big impact on it. It is a movie; therefore you should simply expect to get a good amount of entertainment from a horror/thriller/sci-fi movie, which is exactly what Prometheus is. Second, it is a movie which it is not totally original, by this I mean that yes, it does have connections to Alien. On the other hand, and thirdly, it is also a new story, although within the same universe. So, do not expect to see Ripley's mom pregnant with her, or a queen laying the eggs which are shown in Alien at the end of Prometheus. There are clear references and elements which are directly connected to elements of Alien, but, it is a new set of characters, places (not universe), and a new set of conflicts, problems and plots. For those who have seen Alien and/or are fans of it, do not expect to feel and experience the same feelings. For those who have not, or barely have, seen Alien, you will still enjoy it but keep in mind the first half of this paragraph: just try to go watch the movie with realistic expectations in regards to a movie which has horror, thriller, and some big sci-fi (mainly visual) elements in it.
Third, yes I very much enjoyed this movie and what it was about (I did give it a ten after all). So two scientists find similar paintings across the world who were made across big spaces in time. A company funds their expedition to the planet which is depicted in all those paintings. Those paintings also depict bigger beings as compared to humans, and this is where some split in their thinking, expecting to find different answers to different questions. The main character, Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, believes the expedition will lead her to God, or at least, believes that it will lead her closer to finding Him. Her partner and boyfriend, Charlie Holloway, thinks he will find answers to the origins of human kind but, not to God necessarily; he is more of a skeptic. Meredith Vickers is positive that the trip is a waste of money and time; she is only doing it because her father (previous company owner) had agreed to it already. They get there, events begin to unravel, and some do unexpectedly. A little later all hell breaks lose and they find out that they are the only ones which can prevent the end of our kind.
Fourth, the film does start slow. As it advances it gets to a point which it almost becomes dull. By this time (unexpectedly) the thrills begin, and a little while later the horror, and in less time all hell breaks lose and hope decreases to an ever-so-faint flicker, including any kind of survival and Dr. Elizabeth Shaw's faith and beliefs in God.
I have almost used my 1000 word limit so I will end with this: Go into the theater with realistic expectations and you will surely enjoy this film to the fullest. You certainly will not be disappointed.