Prometheus - a wasted opportunity

Rating: 4/10 (16 June 2012)

I had high hopes for this film. Why wouldn't I? Ridley Scotts direction, Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender heading the cast. An interesting theme and a big budget. Then I read the user reviews here on IMDb (I usually just read, this is my first review) and my hopes dropped dramatically. But not enough to try to keep an open mind when i saw the movie (which I did less than an hour ago) I'm not pleased to have to confirm some of the things said here.
There are many problems with this film. Here's what I think are the main ones ...
1. The script. Yes, I know this has been said before, and it's a bandwagon I didn't want to jump on to, but the script is flagrantly weaker than the films concept (and indeed, its actors) deserves.
Of all the ways to approach such an intriguing subject, how on earth did we end up with this, frankly, dull story? It feels like such a waste.
2. The characters. There were too many (some of them appear to serve no purpose at all) With a theme charged with so much potential, i can see no excuse for 'filler'.
Of the main characters, I was impressed with Noomi Rapaces performance, though she had little to work with. I have to give her credit for making of it what she could. Her character was unconvincing, but her acting wasn't.
Fassbender as David, well, he was superb. He nailed the creepy tone his character emanates with masterful precision. So good, in fact, that I can't really tell if his dialogue was as bland as the what the others were given. His delivery was just top-notch, and he was by far the most interesting character in the movie.
Chalize Theron .. I am quite surprised with her, i really didn't feel she was up to scratch here. Her character was generic to the point of being soporific, but quite honestly, I didn't care too much for her acting either. It wasn't a BAD performance, just not nearly as good as I know she's capable of.
Other characters aren't really worth a mention. They're fodder, nothing more.
3. The editing. Now, i've studied film at A-level, so i know a little about this, and I believe the script could have been partially saved with decent editing. Unfortunately, we seem to jump around from situation to situation, and the transitions do nothing to help the script at all. The pacing is off, and i was disorientated more than once. As to how much we can blame the script, or the editing, that's up for debate, but i do get the feeling a directors cut would up my opinion of the film a notch or two.
4. The overall angle. The film was sort of doomed from the get-go, because of the direction it was taken in. It is dealing with HUGE, fascinating concepts, but chooses cliché over exploration at every opportunity. I suppose it's execution has something to do with accessibility, but if ever there was a film that needed the right balance of intellectualism and entertainment, this is it. Because it can't decide which way to go, it falls short of both.
It isn't all bad though. The special effects are nothing short of spectacular. And like I said, Noomi and Michael did well in their respective roles. There are a few moments between them that were interesting, where their characters could have bounced off each other to explore the films themes. But alas, i was reluctantly pushed into the next scene, trying not facepalm myself.
Many things are left unanswered in Prometheus. While i can appreciate that this is probably for the benefit of a sequel, it did little to make me care. I will watch the sequel, but my hopes won't be half as high this time around.
I wanted to like it, i really did, but the sense of wasted opportunity is so strong that can't give this film more than a 4/10. To give this some perspective, I would rate the Avengers a 6 and Alien an 8.5.
Having said all this, I'm a firm believer that everyone should decide for themselves, and while I can't recommend you pay cinema prices to see it, a DVD rental is probably worth it.
4/10