An underrated, misunderstood masterpiece

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2012)

After reading all the mixed, often revealing discontent or puzzlement reviews, I did not expect much from "Prometheus". In fact, I was absolutely prepared to see an overloaded with special effects, weakly scripted, one-dimensional prequel to "Alien". Imagine how pleasantly I was surprised to find myself wrong about "Prometheus" after spending the two filled with almost pure delight hours watching this amazing movie!
Then, of course, I understood why so many moviegoers were complaining about the incompleteness, the poor story line, and all the other seemingly numerous and pervasive deficiencies of the film. The unsatisfied reviewers quite reasonably expected "Prometheus" to be what all the previous four "Alien" movies were - an energetic action horror flick, solely focusing on thrill and suspense.
While "Prometheus" definitely has some quite impressive action and horror elements in it, it is still neither a horror movie, nor an action movie. In fact, it is a poignant tale, a deep mystery, a multi-level parable, an underrated masterpiece created by a visionary director Ridley Scott. It is a bitter philosophical reflection that is almost too smart, too deep, too harsh, and too pessimistic for the core audience of the horror movie fans that grossly underestimated, misunderstood, and misjudged it.
Moreover, as the movie name somewhat implies, "Prometheus" is also a Sci-Fi myth, a modern reincarnation of the myths of the old. Its' intentionally basic, simple story lightly and entertainingly, but surely touches our very deep, partially subconscious biological memories, or maybe even our collective unconscious, the archetypes that are as old as we, humans, are.
That makes "Prometheus" quite thought provoking and open to numerous interpretations of varying depth and complexity. While the movie contains some unexplained details and loose ends, it is amazingly, perfectly complete, harmonious and concise, even with all its vagueness, unavoidable in a myth.
Most myths are usually both simple and vague at the same time. Think about the Commendatore's statue who escapes the hellish realm and suddenly appears at the door of Don Giovanni's house or about Zeus who allows Pandora to open the box that somehow contains the evils of the world.
As a myth and as a parable, "Prometheus" is to be perceived holistically and contextually. As a myth and as a parable it brings up the existential questions without easy answers - difficult questions both luring and inconvenient at the same time.
Sadly, the parable remained cryptic for many people who resorted to poking holes in the story and finding all sort of inconsistencies in it in order to justify their mindless rejection of the movie. Even worse, these very same people were ecstatic about the pitifully primitive script of "The Avengers" and considered it almost flawless.
While I have to admit that the story contained some regrettable and avoidable occasional clichés, in general "Prometheus" gets very close to what is called "perfection" in my book.
Even the harsh critics admit that the movie is visually stunning and has amazing photography, art direction, and special effects as well as "creature" effects. This is not the elaborate and expensive, but intellectually cheap, unimaginative and mechanical effects and visuals of "The Avengers"; this is a rare true art and a rare true symbolism, as seen in "Avatar" or "The Lord of the Rings".
I already mentioned the visionary directing. I never thought that I would say that, but "Prometheus" appears to be one of the best Ridley Scott's works. It very possibly surpasses most of what the famous director had created before, and might eventually join the legendary company of the original "Alien" as well as the famous "Blade Runner" or even overshadow them.
The casting in the movie was almost perfect, especially for the main characters. The acting was very impressive as well, and in some cases simply outstanding.
I disagree with the reviewers who for no apparent good reason found a lack of depth and expression in the Noomi Rapace's acting as well as with the reviewers who were not satisfied with the Michael Fassbender's haunting impersonation, or had some other, mostly unsubstantiated complaints. It was especially shocking to see all this negativism coming from the same people who were completely smitten with the virtually non- existent acting in "The Avengers".
In my opinion, Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender were simply brilliant as Elizabeth Shaw, the archaeologist and David, the mysterious android respectively. The performances of Charlize Theron (Meredith Vickers), Idris Elba (Janek, the ship captain), and Guy Pearce (Peter Weyland) were quite memorable and convincing as well. The supporting cast was generally solid and did their job well. Unfortunately, Logan Marshall- Green was less than spectacular as Charlie Holloway – a gifted archaeologist and an Elizabeth Shaw's love interest.
In conclusion, if what you are looking for is simply a well-made action horror flick without too much discourse or philosophizing, you might be better off re-watching the landmark Ridley Scott's "Alien" or its great sequel – "Aliens", masterfully made by James Cameron.
If, however, you are in the mood for a deeper and more symbolic conversation about the human nature, a thoughtful conversation skillfully spiced with the amazing visuals, action, suspense, and horror, "Prometheus" might be worth checking out for you.
knowyourmovie.blogspot.com