Knee jerkers need to give their head a shake

Rating: 7/10 (9 June 2012)

I don't usually feel the need to review titles but the level of 1,2 & 3 star reviews of this movie has motivated me to write.
I also wouldn't usually feel the need to throw down credentials but i'm not a fat popcorn eating simpleton, I'm portly and prefer a 3 scoop sundae who majored in film & media.
First thing i have to say is that this movie is visually jaw dropping from the first scene and never lets up on that front. The universe that Scott has created was immersive and made me wish I'd opted for the IMAX experience rather than 2D.
Now for the main reason I'm writing this. Some of the aspects of this film being used to justify poor reviews.
Unrealistic: The abortion scene has been used as an example of extreme stupidity. How can she have stomach surgery and manage to be fine afterwards? Your absolutely correct, it makes no sense, and if i were watching a medical drama set in the present day I'd be right with you. In reality your watching a Sci Fi movie, i tend to suspend my disbelief in this scenario and just go with it. It's part of the joy of the genre for me. Look what they can do in the future, how cool is that! In addition the scene works from a cinematic POV. People around me were wincing in there seats.
Poor character development: I can't agree with this either. I thought Fassbenders character was brilliantly Machiavellian and beautifully acted. I thought he'd set a high bench mark in Shame but this performance sends him into another league for me.
Rapace is immense too, her character is well formed and really manages to drive the plot. I don't disagree that some of the dialogue is a little clunky at times but again, show me a sci fi movie where there are no moments like that. I can't think of many.
The other characters are under developed but what do you want? They don't have the benefits of being a 12 part TV series or episode 3 of a 6 part franchise. They are there for one purpose, to drive the plot and they serve their purpose. There are 17 members of the ship and i personally couldn't be bothered having to sit through hours of character development in a movie theatre. I think it would have slowed down the plot.
I agree whole heartedly with the Guy Pearce issue, why not just get an old fella in to play the part? He looked a bit silly and added nothing to the role.
The whole film occurs in the Alien universe but is a distant prequel to the Alien movie, this again buys the movie a lot of credit. The questions it raises aren't meant to be answered in this movie. It's plainly leaving room to manoeuvre in future films and I'm not going to leave my thoughts on what things meant or where thing are going from here.
I gave the film a 7/10 as it's not without flaws, for what it's worth Alien and Blade Runner for me are 8/10 movies. Scott has managed to create another fantastic world with a compelling story that adds to the Alien universe. If you can check your baggage at the door and do the reasonable thing, suspend your disbelief, your in for a cinematic treat. If you go in wanting it to be Alien mark 2 be prepared to be disappointed.