Good outweighs the bad, one of the best big sci-fi movies in years

Rating: 8/10 (21 August 2013)

I've seen this about six times on blu-ray now. I was originally so anxious to see "Prometheus", considering how much I love "Alien". It wasn't the masterpiece I hoped. It has noticeable flaws. Nonetheless, there's also so much good in it that I can't help but approve despite of some gripes.
I'll go through the gripes that I have.
1) Yes, some characters are idiots in certain situations. It's also true that the expedition in "Prometheus" was supposed to be a disaster, and a bad decision does not make a bad character, but I still would've hoped a little more. Sometimes some characters, while they're at times fun and interesting, are handled like cheap plot devices. A couple of things still make me want to facepalm (Theron's last scene). Another thing, some lines in the dialogue are just...I don't know should I say bad or weird, because sometimes there is a line that doesn't make much sense other than for dramatization purposes, as if to make a conversation seem deeper than it really is. Again, it does feel cheap how some characters are handled sometimes.
This is not to say that the main characters don't have any depth or intelligence, they do to some extent, and that's a contrast which is hard to get used to. It helps when you keep in mind their main characteristics, for example the lead scientists are young and very naive in their enthusiasm.
2) There are some problems with the narrative and pacing. While the film rolls along rather effectively, and I do like the storyline, some corners are cut short. The "science" in this movie is often very questionable. Some things are too simplified (heavy suspension of disbelief warranted) while others are the exact opposite - and again this can make it hard for people to invest themselves. I would've preferred the movie to be a little longer and the narrative to be deeper and more detailed with more room to breathe. That certain gripping focus on the essential seems to me missing at times.
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That's it. Those are my problems. There probably are more questions in the end than there was in the beginning, but I like that. Sequel is in the works, and it's such a compelling, fascinating universe that "Prometheus" has built that it's impossible to explore themes this huge properly and wrap it all up at once without screwing it up.
About the main themes, I love them. Creators and the created. Shaw (Noomi Rapace) goes searching for her makers, but still holds on to her religion. Android David-9 (Michael Fassbender) knows his creators, but he's still missing something. It's a theme that's explored in many levels. Hubris is another theme. It's everywhere. Not going to say more about that, better to let everyone see and ponder it themselves. Some characters have motivations that are not spoon-fed, and it makes the movie (along with impressive visuals and setting up a fascinating world) very re-watchable. I started writing this review at the middle of my 7th viewing.
I love the world Prometheus gives us. It's dark, fascinating to no end, and that certain H.R. Giger - like design is still there to some extent. The interiors, the creatures, the designs, the sets...they're amazing. I like the storyline too. It all gives a boost to your imagination and you start to wonder, to really wonder like a child. You want to know everything, you want to understand as much as possible, it's all so well done and so captivating. This leads many to disappointment, because certain questions will linger. I felt that too, but at the same time I've grown to like the mystery and to craft my own theories. We'll see where the sequel leads us.
I don't exactly love CGI above anything else, but this is possibly the most stunning blu-ray movie I have seen. It looks that good, just brilliant execution. Ridley Scott always handles these things well. I still haven't seen anything this impressive visually after I saw this for the first time. Ten out of ten.
Michael Fassbender steals the show, great job. He's becoming one of my favorite actors. Noomi Rapace is...OK in my mind. Certainly not bad, delivers a nice performance, but the impact could've been bigger. Then again it's easy to get overshadowed by Fassbender's character and the script didn't give Rapace that much to impress people. Theron's supporting role is somewhat limited, as is Pearce's, and they neither bother me nor impress me. Idris Elba on the other hand, he nails his small role and he's got that magical presence that makes any movie better.
This movie captivates me. Ridley Scott didn't direct a masterpiece and there surely are annoyances, but what he managed to deliver he delivered well. Sometimes I snap out of the immersion due to some weak character handling, dialogue or cutting some corners shot, but the movie always wins me back. The engineers and their world, all the weird surroundings and their mysteries are so well crafted that even though I notice the flaws as clearly as I'd notice one of my legs missing, I want to dive back into that world. I know I will have to forgive some things along the way, but that's the price I'm willing to pay. As much as some criticism is warranted, so is praise. The film's capability of being thoroughly thought-provoking is an achievement as is the exciting world it presents us.
Am I making excuses for this movie, and is it just my inner child who wants "Prometheus" to be something more than it really is? It's certainly possible. Only time will tell.