Low on the fright, interest and originality levels

Rating: 4/10 (10 June 2018)

"Prometheus" follows in the string of outer space sci-fi films that are searches for other life. These differ from the space adventure films of the Star Trek and Star War series. In these explorations of distant galaxies, one knows that it's really about monsters. Of course, the 1979 film, "Alien," set the standard for terror and fright in space. No one has been able, yet, to outdo that hideous, ugly, frightening monster.
So, the constant challenge of sci-fi writers and moviemakers is to come up with something more frightening. Unable to do that - as all have been since "Alien," the challenge then is to make the plot more mysterious and intriguing. So, far, the only way to do that has been with more special effects and fictional technical equipment and abilities. This film is loaded with that - the 3-D projections of maps, creatures, etc. and all types of futuristic gadgets and systems. But, in order for those things to hold one's interest in lieu of some fantastic new alien creature, the plot must have some substance.
And, that's where "Prometheus" fails. It becomes just another lackluster sci-fi trip into outer space. Oh, it has a mission, or a couple that may be in conflict, but they are sidetracked in the individual miscues and little tragedies that befall some of the crew. The four stars are for the artists who did the CGI and special effects. They are quite good, even though the story so soon becomes lame.
One thing that gets me about most of these movies is how really dumb some of the scientists are. In this one, Dr. Charlie Holloway takes off his helmet - against the advice of his cohort, Dr. Elizabeth Shaw. Why? Because he could read that the atmosphere was safe to breathe inside the unknown structure they found. So, the air makeup is identical to earth, but what else might be in that air? Of course, a real scientist wouldn't think about that. He'd be so delighted that he could take off his helmet to breathe the natural air.
But anyone who saw "The War of the Worlds," - the 1953 original or the 2005 remake, would know that other things exist in air that might be harmful. And so Dr. Halloway finds out in this film. The dumbness of the guy aside, his metamorphosis turned out to be one of the most interesting action parts of the film.
I enjoy sci-fi immensely, and especially that set in outer space. So long as Hollywood keeps putting them out, I'll keep watching sci-fi films. One never knows when one might be particularly good. And those that don't have good fright value or intrigue - well, usually the scenery, CGI and special effects are dazzling enough to keep one from falling asleep.
I suspect that the high rating for this film comes mostly from a modern day younger audience. Most probably have not seen some of the classic sci-fi films. But, anyone who enjoys sci-fi from space should at least have seen the three films that are the standards. For aliens from outer space who come to earth, "The War of the Wolds" of 1953 is the film to see. And, for outer space monsters and fright films, "Alien" of 1979 is the standard. The one other that tackles time, space travel, advanced civilizations and uncertainty and intrigue about space itself, is the 1968 classic, "2001: A Space Odyssey."
There really have been no new ideas about space since those gems on which to make sci-fi films.