Pleasantly surprised...

Rating: 8/10 (5 July 2012)

Well, I came to this film with rather low expectations, those of a horror/gore-fest masquerading as science fiction. I was wrong.
This film is wonderfully tinged with sadness, promise, hope and irony. Its nothing like Alien, but akin to this original work.
It succeeds in 2 areas in particular - suspense/build up, mild surprise, but also a 'realistic plot in a an unrealistic setting' which so few films manage today. Capitalism still drives the day, but not in the way you expect, synthetic life has its own nascent desires, and love - unfortunately, doesn't conquer all.
But, there are acts of nobility in the cold black of space, on distant planets.
If you would like to see a true science fiction film, that does not try to be overly intelligent, or self righteous in its themes, with the odd scare and gribbly bit. Then this is the film for you.
I feel as though quite a bit has been cut out that might explain bits of the early plot in more detail, and the Charlize Therone does NOTHING in this film that an unknown could not have achieved. Those however, are minor dislikes. Cracking film.