Now, as far as explosions in space are concerned: Let’s consider matters like blast-radius; as well as the behaviour of fire (plasma) in vacuums and in conditions of zero-gravity. I’d rather not go into the scientific verities on this topic, but do yourself a favour and go watch Event Horison. Let’s leave it at that.
Back to Prometheus.
A crew of seventeen people travel to a solar system parsecs away from their home planet to explore a moon hypothetically capable of sustaining life. No mention is made of any probes or unmanned spacecraft having been sent there prior to their arrival, but they’re convinced that bottled water is available in cans on LV 223 because Neanderthal graffiti discovered on the Isle of Skye in Scotland predetermined it to be the case. Mere minutes after plummeting through the highly toxic atmosphere, they visually detect architectural geometry that says: “This is the cradle of mankind. Here there be aliens and monsters. Abandon all hope ye who enter here.” If assumption is the mother of all fuckups, then luck is her first abortion after having unsafe sex with hope. FAIL!
They land, they suit up, and they head off for a superstructure built by some extra-terrestrial intelligence. Once inside the structure it is determined, via a free Blackberry application with a Doom 3 skin, that the cyclopean alien edifice is in fact a gigantic terra-forming device and that the air is breathable. In spite of the fact that they’re in an >>> alien environment, and in spite of the fact that all kinds of potentially deadly micro-organisms flourish in dark and damp conditions, they take off their helmets. All preemptive measures and protocols in dealing with alien life forms are ignored. FAIL!
(And the list goes on, to such an extend, that even a Hitler Rant has been produced in honour of Prometheus fails.)
Prometheus is pure science fantasy. It has a weak script and the plot has more craters in it than the moon and Io combined. The cast? Well, I’d rather not go there but let’s just say, that blonde Benoni woman should stick to maintaining the natural order of things by murdering men on dark and deserted roads.
By now, if you’re a Prometheus fan, you are now probably very pissed off with me, but I beg your forgiveness. The irony is, I didn’t just like it. I loved it!
Why? Because, I’m a uncompromising benefactor of H. P. Lovecraft. There’s actually a list available of movies inspired or influenced by Lovecraft’s weird tales. The only thing is, the list is so long and comprehensive, it’s actually a book. Since the dawn of cinematic entertainment Lovecraft’s methodology in weaving tales of dark science-fiction and macabre literary mythos, has had a profound influence; not only in cinematic horror-culture, but also on human social culture as a whole.
As a creature feature Prometheus gets a multiple thumbs-up, including a certain unmentionable boneless limb capable of mimicking limbs with bone in them. The conception and design of the creatures in Prometheus will make Lovecraft proud, and has Cthulhu tattooed all over their slimy transparent skins. A combination of animatronics and CG-SFX brings to life creatures utterly alien, and I must say, quite disturbing in nature albeit a bid sterile.
Prometheus is supposed to be the prequel to the Alien series. It is indeed, but it raises more questions than answers. Frustrated die-hard Alien fans agree, it’s the worst installment of the whole franchise. Alien remains one of the best horror sci-fi movies ever, Aliens remain one the best action sci-fi movies ever, Alien 3 remains one of the best gothic sci-fi movies ever; and Alien Resurrection remains one of the best borderline-art noir sci-fi films ever. Like the tail that wags the dog, Prometheus is the tail that wags the alien.
I suppose every one has seen Prometheus by now, so there’s no point in me recommending it, unless of course, I can recommend that you read some of H.P. Lovecraft’s macabre fiction and then watch it. What are you waiting for?
P R O M E T H E U S
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