90% brilliant - 10% let down

Rating: 7/10 (25 January 2015)

Prometheus is breath-taking - its visuals are a treat and its direction is flawless (but then it's directed by Sir Ridley, so you should expect that).
It's about a team of astronauts that find evidence that a race of aliens have visited Earth thousands of years before mankind and left a map with which humans can follow them.
But, let's face it, no one cares about that.
What people want to know is 'Is it, or is it not a prequel to Alien?' The answer, is ambiguous at best.
Yes, it's obviously set in the same universe and it's a great film (like I say 90% brilliant). However, the let down occurs when you start applying it to Alien (and its successors). Those wanting a film that 'leads in' to Alien will be disappointed. Prometheus appears to want to be a film that starts its own franchise. Therefore, any direct link to Alien is still several films away.
Also, there are some very annoying questions that never get resolved in Prometheus. Now, I'm not going to describe them as 'plot holes' because, there are probably going to be sequels which will explain them. However, if no sequels arrive, or they just gloss over the questions Prometheus raises, then these oddities will be regarded as some major goofs.
Overall, Prometheus is great. My advice - ignore everything 'Alien-related' (for now) and enjoy it for what it is. Also, be prepared to be left with unanswered questions. If you can live with that, you should find it excellent.