Science fiction has always been a genre of film that has always struck me as a mixed bag. On one hand, it is always been fun to be whisked away to different worlds; thus leading to exciting adventures . Also, observing bright stars, colorful planets, and digitally-enhanced creatures is always enjoyable; especially when it's all filmed in eye-popping 3D. Furthermore, the continuing battles between good and evil frequently allows me to cheer for the heroes and fear the villains. However, these ideas, especially the last one, are only effectual if the screenwriter pens a well-thought-out script that encases strong character development and enough twists and turns that leave the audience wanting more. And on June 8, I viewed a film that, while telling an engrossing story as well as many unexpected surprises, lacked entirely-developed characters; save for the two most important figures. I'm talking about “Prometheus;” the latest big-budget film from Director Ridley Scott, the creator of such epics films as 1979's “Alien” and 2000's “Gladiator.” Throughout his latest offering, Scott helms many sequences that result in the audience holding on to their seats in a state of shock. Unfortunately, Screenwriters Jon Spaiths and Damon Lindelof fail to pay enough attention to most of the film's characters. Fortunately, however, stars Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender, who portray the two most important characters in “Prometheus” are allotted opportunities to demonstrate high-quality acting. Thus, it is without any hesitation that I say:
Though it has it's Problems. “Prometheus” Provides an Interesting Story and a Powerful Showcase of Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender!
In 2089, archaeologists Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, played with great determination by Noomi Rapace, and her partner Charlie Holloway, played by Logan Marshall-Green, notice ancient paintings depicting a man gesturing to a collection of stars. The film then cuts to a giant space ship, named The Prometheus,traveling through the universe; eventually revealed to be set in the year 2093. On board are a group of crew members in hypersleep. They are monitored by David, played with great flair by Michael Fassbender, who is, in actuality, an android that is almost indistinguishable from human beings. Soon, the crew, including Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie Holloway, awake and are gathered for a meeting. The meeting is started off by Meredith Vickers, played firmly by Charlize Theron, an employee of the Wayland Corporation; a high-tech corporation that is sponsoring the mission. Vickers presents a holographic message of Peter Wayland, played by an unrecognizable Guy Pearce, the elderly CEO of the Wayland Corporation; who is presumed to have passed away. Wayland introduces everyone to Noomi Rapace's Elizabeth Shaw and Logan Marshall-Green's Charlie Holloway; who proceed to explain their research. They present holographic images that Dr. Elizabeth Shaw indicates as an “invitation” to meet mankind's creators-- the Engineers. Soon, the Prometheus lands on a mysterious planet called LV-223. A team consisting of Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, Charlie Holloway, Michael Fassbender's David and fellow researchers Fifield and Milburn, played by Rafe Spall and Sean Harris respectfully, explore an ancient building. Soon after entering, David triggers a holographic image of human-like aliens running from an unknown threat; as well as the body of one of the beings that had apparently gotten decapitated. David also opens a door; revealing the head as well as a collection of containers filled with an unknown black ooze; one of which he acquires; unbeknownst by the team. A storm begins brewing and Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, Holloway, and David make it back to the ship; along with the detached head. Unfortunately, team-members Fifield and Milborne get lost and are forced to camp for the evening. On board The Prometheus, Noomi Rapace's Elizabeth Shaw and Logan Marshall-Green's Charlie Holloway examine the head along with Charlize Theron's Meredith Vickers; eventually seeing that the DNA is similar to that of a human's. They deduce that this is the head of an Engineer and that the beings are now assumed to be extinct; as they had dated the body of the Engineer as being 2,000 years old. However, as time goes on, the team, uncovers terrifying truths that could threaten the very existence of mankind. And the audience, in turn, discover that “Prometheus” is an intriguing film despite its shortcomings.
Throughout Ridley Scott's latest film, there are assorted points that prove to be either positive or negative; and most of this concept falls into the concept of the film's characters. Perhaps one of the best developed characters would have to be Noomi Rapace's Dr. Elizabeth Shaw. Throughout the film, Shaw undergoes a significant emotional transformation. When first meeting Noomi Rapace's on-screen persona, she is a very spiritual individual; as evident by the cross she wears around her neck. Rapace's character believes that there is a force out there that is responsible for mankind's existence. During the first portion of the film, When giving her presentation at the start of the film, we can note her immense certainty that the origins of mankind are out there. Though, it should also be mentioned that she is still cautious; as telling Michael Fassbender's David to not open the mysterious door in the ancient temple. These scenes are made quite convincing; due to Rapace's acting. The twinkle of curiosity is clear in her eyes; but we can also see a strong sense of trepidation present in her movement. In other words, though she is eager to find the Engineers and uncover the truth about mankind's existance, Noomi Rapace's Dr. Elizabeth Shaw is a very guarded individual who has a quest for knowledge.
As the film progresses, it is intriguing to see how the intensity of the mission allows the character to make the emotional transformation from being a restrained researcher to a bold fighter. At the start of the film's second half, a life-threatening event occurs that causes her to take drastic action. Instead of hesitating, Noomi Rapace's character acts quickly; performing a procedure that could endanger her life even further. And even though this particular sequence is very difficult to watch, due to its heavy intensity, the audience is able to And believe the pain that Noomi Rapace's on-screen persona is enduring. And as “Prometheus” continues, Noomi Rapace's character does what ever she could to survive; going as far as to risk her life in immensely threatening situations. In other words, Noomi Rapace's Dr. Elizabeth Shaw ransformed into a real combatant.And thanks to Rapace's acting, the transition is truly believable.
Image of Noomi Rapace as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw taken from
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While Noomi Rapace's performance as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw is very believable, it is very important to keep in mind Michael Fassbender's sharp portrayal of David; the cryptic android of The Prometheus. Throughout his tenure in the film, Fassbender maintains his unfaltering performance. The actor speaks his dialogue in a in a calm manner in an attempt to not display intense rage. This allows the actor to remain in a state of enigma-- thus keeping the audience guessing whether the character's overall intentions are either good or evil. We do not know if Fassbender's character has been programmed by Guy Peace’s Peter Wayland, or if he is just acting on his own. Fassbender's performance sends chills up your spine; as his on-screen persona can even look at a member of the crew with an unemphatic stare. In short terms, Michael Fassbender fully allows his character to remain completely grounded; thus never acting in an over-the-top manner. We believe Michael Fassbender's performance as David; so much so, that we often forget that this is the same actor who portrayed Erik Lensherr; the electromagnetic mutant that became known as the egotist “Magneto” in 2011's “X-Men: First Class.” Simply put, Michael Fassbender's achievement as David is one of the greatest components of “Prometheus.”
Image of Noomi Rapace as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw taken from
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While Noomi Rapace's performance as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw is very believable, it is very important to keep in mind Michael Fassbender's sharp portrayal of David; the cryptic android of The Prometheus. Throughout his tenure in the film, Fassbender maintains his unfaltering performance. The actor speaks his dialogue in a in a calm manner in an attempt to not display intense rage. This allows the actor to remain in a state of enigma-- thus keeping the audience guessing whether the character's overall intentions are either good or evil. We do not know if Fassbender's character has been programmed by Guy Peace’s Peter Wayland, or if he is just acting on his own. Fassbender's performance sends chills up your spine; as his on-screen persona can even look at a member of the crew with an unemphatic stare. In short terms, Michael Fassbender fully allows his character to remain completely grounded; thus never acting in an over-the-top manner. We believe Michael Fassbender's performance as David; so much so, that we often forget that this is the same actor who portrayed Erik Lensherr; the electromagnetic mutant that became known as the egotist “Magneto” in 2011's “X-Men: First Class.” Simply put, Michael Fassbender's achievement as David is one of the greatest components of “Prometheus.”
While Screenwriters Jon Spaiths and Damon Landelof provides strong characterization for Noomi Rapace's Dr. Elizabeth Shaw and Michael Fassbender's David, he fails to pay plenty of time to fully distinguish most of the other characters of “Prometheus.” because of this, the other figures come off as being thinly created or even unnecessary. For instance, Meredith Vickers, though firmly portrayed by Charlize Theron, just appears as a typical official. Theron's on-screen persona declares her orders to the crew and refuses to put her foot down when others object. Though the screenwriters does allow Theron's Vickers to retain a cryptic aura, the character isn't given much to do. And when a significant revelation concerning the character emerges, the impact falls flat; as it just appears tacked on by the screenwriters.
Another character in “Prometheus” that seemed nonindustrial would be Elizabeth Shaw's partner Charlie Holloway. Throughout his term in the film, Logan Marshall-Green's Holloway doesn't appear to have a unique personality; as he seems to just be pre-occupied with finding the Engineers; thus achieving glory. Other than this, Marshall-Green's Holloway just didn't seem to have enough time to be thoroughly fleshed out as a character and seemed to serve primarily as a plot devicefor the film. In other words, it's as if the soul purpose of Marshall-Green's Holloway was for him to meet his eventual fate. The same could be said for Rafe Spall's Milburn and Sean Harris' Fifield; the two scientists who were unable to find their way back on board The Prometheus when the storm hit. Both scientists were contribute anything spectacular to the film's central plot; and they seemed as if they were only included in the film to meet gruesome demises. Because of this, the characters didn't serve unique purposes; thus resulting in them being completely expandable. This is primarily the fault of Damon Lindelof; who basically saw these two characters as excuses to include more grizzly fates in the film and nothing more. This is truly a shame; because if Milburn and Fifield weren't in the film, Jon Spaiths and Damon Lindelof could have spent additional time to further-ehance the story.
I will say, however, that Idris Elba's performance as Janez, the unfaltering captain of The Prometheus, was very good. Throughout the tenure of the film, Elba ensured that his on-screen persona was prudent to his job; as he was monitoring the team's activity on LV-223. The actor also had decent chemistry with Charlize Theron's Meredith Vickers; as the two shared some significant confrontations. I must also commend Elba for maintaining an engaging Southern accent throughout his portrayal of Janek; one that added some uniqueness to his character. Idris Elba did a fine job portraying Janek; I just wish that Idris Elba possessed a tad more screentime; just so we could explore his character more. But alas, this wasn't the case.
Image of Idris Elba as Janez taken from http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&biw=1607&bih=750&tbm=isch&tbnid=XD7jG-HhZYY6QM:&imgrefurl=http://hellgarve.com/HellGarve/revista/prometheus-a-first-review-opens-june-1&docid=jdykGhEWQpR7RM&imgurl=http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01518/prometheus-532a_1518753a.jpg&w=532&h=392&ei=5B7pT72MDKXX0QHJrJzGDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1172&vpy=422&dur=266&hovh=193&hovw=262&tx=171&ty=113&sig=101901119017197694265&page=1&tbnh=130&tbnw=163&start=0&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:20,s:0,i:134
And this leads me to another one of my quibbles with “Prometheus.” While the film's narrative was exciting and filled with unexpected surprises, its overall pacing isn't great. Clocking in at one hundred and twenty-four minutes, it seemed as if Screenwriters Jon Spaiths and Damon Lindelof wanted to pack in as much as possible into the entire duration. The first half of the film is set up quite well; we get to meet the characters and the mission is explained finely. The exploration of LV-223 is gripping; as we are introduced to this unusual new world. The examination of the Engineer's detached cranium is also riveting; as we come to understand that these humanoid beings are responsible for our very existence. However, it is after the near-death experience of Noomi Rapace's Dr. Elizabeth Shaw that the film starts to slightly weaken. Certain elements of the film appear hurried; such as a revelation concerning Guy Pearce's Peter Wayland. I could see how the screenwriters wanted to provide a shock to the audience; but unfortunately, the scenes appear rushed and could have been better executed. The same goes for the final portions of the film. It appeared that Jon Spaiths and David Lindelof wanted to consume the remaining time with plenty of action; but the everything just goes by too quickly. This results in certain components to the story moving along too quickly; thus sacrificing more time to add more drama. I don't want to reveal what happens; but, in all honesty, maybe if the film had been a tad longer, there could have been more development for certain characters and additional elements to the story.
However, I will say that "Prometheus" is not at all tedious. Throughout the film. there is never a moment that is drawn out. There is always an instance that causes the audiences to think deeply or genuinely gasp in a moment of pure shock. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that attention to the details of computer-generated creatures is perfect; thus enhancing the intensity of the film for the better, In addition, I must applaud the filmmakers for putting strong emphasis on The Engineers; as we get to learn about their existence and just what they are capable of. And, whenever an Engineer is actually shown on screen, the audience is able to gaze in shock; as these hulking beings are presented as our creators. Because of all this, Director Ridley Scott has your attention right from the start of the film. The viewer is always on the edge of their seat; eagerly awaiting whatever happens next. And THAT is a great accomplishment!
All in all, “Prometheus” delivers something that most present-day science fiction films don't seem to possess: a very interesting story. The whole concept of scientists traveling through the universe to discover mankind's origins indeed possesses strong potential; and thanks to Ridley Scott, we are ab;e to be completely enthralled by the plot and not be distracted by all the special effects and 3D technology. We are basically learning along with Noomi Rapace's Dr. Elizabeth Shaw and her colleagues; all the while sharing in the surprises they are experiencing. And though the screenplay does resort to typical science-fiction tropes, Jon Spaiths and Damon Lindelof do succeed in maintaining our viewership. We can sill watch the film and not be tempted to keep looking at our watches to see how much longer the movie should be. Instead, however, we are strongly tempted to cover our eyes during scenes that are quite alarming. But that, my friends, is an article for another time.
E-mail me at thatsnatertainment@gmx.com
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