panel of torpid characters races through this paint-it-by-numbers Alien-pastiche script

Rating: 5/10 (22 October 2012)

Prometheus promises much, with a robust cast, powerful visual effects and intriguing premise. Ultimately though strong performances from Theron and Fassbender alone fail to ignite the weak script.
This is a shame as the film starts with great panache - the arresting visuals drawing the viewer into what promises to be an exciting, rip-roaring story.
Sadly though, this is as good as it gets. Little moments capture the interest throughout, but weaving these together coherently proves beyond Scott. Characters seem shallow and inconsistent - from the "principled" captain treating his crew's safety with occasional contempt to Noomi Rapace's irritating and unconvincing turn as religious science nerd turned hero.
As stated before, Theron and Fassbender serve up the best performances, Theron in particular impressive as the impassive, yet slighted commander. Her strong showing doesn't save her from a comedic finale however - one of several "laugh out loud" moments that leave Prometheus just a scene or two away from becoming a full-on satire of the Alien genre. Almost every other actor lacks the charisma to sell the wooden dialogue the script is feeding them.
The Titan Prometheus merely stole fire from the gods however Scott steals every scene of note from Alien and Aliens. Disembodied android head, chest bursting aliens, blood-acid burning, alien loose in the lab - much of the film is achingly familiar.
Some will say this is acceptable given this is an Aliens prequel film, however that shouldn't give Scott carte blanche to wholesale cut and paste entire chunks from the canon. Especially when these scenes were all handled with greater authority in the originals.
The story itself suffers from a multitude of incohesive plot points. The audience is never fully able to suspend disbelief with the panel of torpid characters racing through the paint it by numbers Alien-pastiche script. Bewilderment at many of the illogical plot twists only serves to reinforce this disconnection.
Sadly Prometheus is a disappointment simply because the potential for a great film was there and it does look sensational, but the disparate elements just don't blend well enough to get a sterling recommendation.
5/10.