Would you like some tongue with that?

Rating: 7/10 (14 December 2013)

At time of writing, this is the 2,159th review for Ridley-Scott's "Prometheus", and I wanted to put a positive word in for this movie although I am aware that twice as many reviewers hated the film as loved it. If there is one common complaint amongst the disappointed fans it is that this prequel doesn't do justice to "Alien".
But I think it does for the most part. In fact, I feel that the things that let down "Prometheus" are also evident in "Alien". But of course, "Alien" was ground breaking in its overall design and special effects; it was always going to be a tough act to follow.
There are some brilliant ideas in "Prometheus", especially the opening where the humanoid creature disintegrates on the edge of the waterfall, allowing his DNA to flow into Earth's oceans, sparking life. It's a neat tie-in with the Prometheus of Greek Mythology, however, God, as most of us understand him, doesn't actually feature in the movie – maybe he'll get a cameo in "Prometheus 2".
After the opening sequence, the film leaps forward eons as a human crew traces the possible roots of our existence on a moon in a distant solar system. If anything creates the weak spots in "Prometheus" it's the interaction between some of the characters, which was also evident in "Alien" – both films lack humour.
Funny doesn't seem to be Ridley Scott's forte. Sure, combating face-hugging crustaceans, and drooling, double-mouthed reptilian creatures is no laughing matter, but in both movies there was at least one character where a lighter touch was attempted: Harry Dean Stanton's character in "Alien" and Sean Harris' outspoken Fifield in "Prometheus". The opportunity was there for a little wit amongst the gloom, instead, both characters are irritating. It's a relief when "I love rocks" Fifield is possessed by the aliens, and although he becomes more dangerous, he also becomes less annoying.
"Prometheus" expands on the effects from "Alien". A self-administered caesarean birth replaces the chest-burster; David, the human-like android in "Prometheus", is more user-friendly than Ash from the earlier movie, and if "Alien" had one severed head, "Prometheus" has severed heads all over the place. And, we mustn't forget the alien tongue kiss, which gets a real workout in "Prometheus".
Although derivative to a degree, I think most fans would have been disappointed if these old friends didn't make an appearance in some way in the new movie.
One big theme that "Prometheus" brings forward from "Alien" is girl-power. Instead of just Sigourney Weaver's indestructible heroine, "Prometheus" presents two powerful females; Charlise Theron as the tightly-buttoned Meredith Vickers and Noomi Rapace as uber-resilient Elizabeth Shaw. In both movies, the males seem to be around simply as alien tongue-fodder.
It's easy to find inconsistencies in "Prometheus", but there is also much to admire. The special effects are awesome and Marc Streitenfeld provides a score with a powerful anthem that takes a different approach to Jerry Goldsmith's ominous score for "Alien". Anyway, I judge a movie by how much it catches my imagination and holds my attention – "Prometheus" ticks both boxes for me. I'm actually looking forward to "Prometheus 2".