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PROMETHEUS |
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In 1979, Ridley Scott posed the fact: In space no one can hear you scream... when he released the space horror "Aliens". It was also Sigourney Weaver's big break and John Hurt exploded onto the screen.
The story revolved around a corporate owned mining ship that made a pit stop while the crew was in space sleep. When they were awaken, they were advised by Mother (the corporate computer) to investigate the planet
after which they were slaughtered by an alien they accidentally brought on board. It was a rather cool film and fan boys got to see Weaver running around in her undies.
Three years later Scott brought us the post-apocalyptic sci-fi flick "Blade Runner" with Harrison Ford based on the book Do Robots Dream of Electric Sheep? It was dark with a magnificent narrative that left many asking questions for years to come. It would be the last science fiction film Scott would do
for thirty years. Instead he went to more mainstream films like "Thelma and Louise", "G.I. Jane", "Hannibal", "Gladiator", "Black Hawk Down", and the megahits "American Gangster" and "Robin Hood".
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My guess is he proved he could make money across a wide sectrum of genres and decided to return to sci-fi with "Prometheus".
For all intensive purposes, "Prometheus" is the prequel to "Alien" since not much else can be done to destroy the "Alien" franchise after he turned it over to James Cameron and a host of other hacks.
Armed with a huge budget and fresh writers Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof ("Cowboys and Aliens"), Scott set out to undo what had be done to tarnish the "Alien" name.
Casting Noomi Rapace as Elizabeth Shaw a scientist who deciphers a code which seems to invite Earthlings to come visit a distant planet. So she convinces the powers that be that an expedition to this distant world needed to happen.
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The film fasts forwards to the end of that journey aboard the ship Prometheus with the ships robot, David (Michael Fassbender) practicing various alien phrases in anticipation of an encounter. he is also in charge of bringing the crew out of space sleep.
Yes, another robot in control of the ship with directions coming straight from the corporation.
The crew consists of the pilot Janek (Idris Elba), the project commander Meredith (Charlize Theron), Elizabeths lover Charlie (Logan Marshall-Green) and sacrificial crew members. A crew make-up similar to the original "Alien"
The begin to explore the the planet only to find that the small hollowed out mountain they are in is actually a ship. A ship that once belonged to human-like creatures who where much bigger than Earth humans but otherwise alike.
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Now the story veers to a beginning of man story questioning faith, particularly Shaw's faith. But much like "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier", you may not want to meet God! yes, Scott taps the concept of "Star Trek V" as well as homage to his own "Blade Runner" - Janek asks Meredith if she's a robot - and even "Armageddon" to try to pull of this flick.
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In other words, there is absolutely nothing new. Thirty years and we get the same cookie cutter characters and rips from other films. beautifully shot, yes... but still nothing new.
"Prometheus" is a film you will either love or hate. If you are just geeked about another "Alien" variation you'll love it. If you are looking for a creative breakthrough from Ridley Scott, you will hate it.
-- GEOFF BURTON |
GEOFF BURTON |
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COPYRIGHT 2012 BY AFROTREK TRAVEL NEWS LLC |
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