“Prometheus” is the highly anticipated new movie from director Ridley Scott. It is highly anticipated for the belief that this movie returns Scott to the storyline of one of his great triumphs, 1979’s “Alien.”
“Prometheus” focuses on the exploration of a moon within a system of planets. These planets are identified from a primitive cave painting found in several locations on Earth. Drs. Elizabeth Shaw and Charles Holloway (Noomi Rapace and Logan Marshall-Green) discover the painting and are convinced that it is a clue to humanity’s beginning.
With the help of financier Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce), Shaw and Holloway mount an exploration to what they believe is the home of humankind’s creators.
I mentioned Scott’s movie “Alien.” That movie is married to this movie in more than a few ways.
One, there is an android, David (Michael Fassbender), who is part of the crew. David was created by Weyland Industries and acts to help the explorers on their journey. But David also has some nefarious activities when on the moon.
Two, there is also the presence of the corporation. In both this movie and “Alien,” the corporation is only out for what it can get for itself. The ends always justify the means. Nothing is sacred except the profit.
On the moon, the crew of Prometheus finds a large temple mount – and something more. What they discover will threaten them and all of Earth.
As I often say, I try not to see movies but directors, and Ridley Scott is one of them. His work is cinema at its best.
Here we have this large expanse of a movie, but little is done to help it along. By that I mean that there is very little character development, and large implications of the story are left to the imagination.
That considered, “Prometheus” is a wonderfully shot movie. The cinematography is beautiful, and the movie is worth seeing for this alone. And Ridley Scott is fine enough of a director to gain my interest and make me want to see this again.
My main point here, though, is that I feel like this movie is saying much about faith.
Dr. Shaw was the daughter of a missionary in Africa, and all through the movie she wears a crucifix. She gets very upset if it is taken away from her.
In fact, her desire to go on this journey is based on her belief that they are going to see humankind’s creator. Her longing to find this creator drives her even to do some things she should not have done.
One of those things is to trust Weyland Industries, which doesn’t desire anything as self-actualizing as finding God.
Did I like the movie? Yes, but it is a flawed effort that I believe will be dealt with further when the “director’s cut” DVD comes out. I believe there is much left to see from the voyage of the Prometheus.
MikeParnell is pastor of Beth Car Baptist Church in Halifax, Va.
MPAA Rating: R for sci-fi violence including some intense images, and brief language.
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof
Cast: Noomi Rapace: Dr. Elizabeth Shaw; Logan Marshall-Green: Dr. Charles Holloway; Michael Fassbender: David; Guy Pearce: Peter Weyland; Charlize Theron: Meredith Vickers; Idris Elba: Janek.
The movie’s website is here.
Michael Parnell is pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is married and has two boys. His love is for movies, and he can be found in a theater most Fridays.