Visually Stunning - exciting and lives up to the hype!

Rating: 7/10 (10 June 2012)

PROMETHEUS - 2012 - A film review. As viewed in a VMAXX Hoytz theater, 2D Version in Sydney, Australia. Rating 7 out of 10.
The most anticipated movie event of the year, and from a visual point of view, Ridley Scott's Alien prequel in Prometheus lives up to the expectations placed upon it.
Mr. Scott had much to live up to, considering his previous toe dipping into the genre of sci-fi films Blade Runner(1982) and Alien(1979), and as always, he raises the bar in visual and design.
After a wonderfully imaginative opening sequence featuring a twist on the genesis of life on Earth, the film jumps to 2093 with a group of archaeologists led by Elizabeth Shaw(Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway(Logan Marshall-Green) who are on the cusp of finding clues to the origins of life and mankind on Earth through cave drawings, and a star map or invitation to come and find alien ancestors. It leads both Shaw and Holloway to the moon world LV-223, on the research vessel Prometheus, and there they find the possibility of "meeting your maker", but soon this possible dream turns into a nightmare...
The premise is both interesting and awe inspiring, but fails to deliver when it matters most. The film begins well, but as the film progresses, the viewer feels rushed from sequence to sequence and at times you will find yourself having to concentrate to get clues to what had happened and what is about to happen.
Character development seems flawed and rushed, and when heroics are called for, you want to feel something for the supporting cast, but can't.
Ultimately you will be asking yourself more questions than finding answers. But this is a forgivable flaw.
What gives the film a real strong point is the visual environment and being dragged along for the ride onto another world, and it does make up for the erratic script. This is mastered excellently and at times you feel the awe that the characters feel when setting down or exploring the planet, and at times you feel claustrophobic and tense with suspense when characters are placed into otherworldly situations, this is done excellently.
A special mention should go to a stand out performance from Michael Fassbender as David the android, and the irrepressible Charlize Theron is excellent as the domineering Meredith Vickers.
Overall, Prometheus is exactly what you go to the movies for, and is worthy of your time. Two hours of escapism and the feel of excitement as the lights go out and you settle in for a great ride.
If I had one complaint it would have been the need to make it a prequel to Alien in the first place, when the film would have worked quite well, or even better as a stand alone or new franchise based on the premise at the start of the film. Either way I enjoyed the film and would recommend it to other viewers.