Full review - (oncoming updates) (spoiler-free)

[size=5][b]Note:[/b] This review has been marked "spoiler-free". Any spoilers posted will be removed (the entire post).[/size] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ok, so probably, what needs be said first is I very much enjoyed the film. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars overall as a film, because it succeeds on various levels, depending what you are looking for. It manages to remain a simply enjoyable moment, keeping you entertained, thrilled and tensed, but also raises a few deeper questions that can dwell and sink in you even outside the cinema, in a simple non-pompous way. Thus, in a more Sci-fi/Alien frame, regarding whether it fulfilled my expectations or not, I would give it 4.5 stars, because some choices made and everyone's personal appeal will necessarily make that each of us is displeased by something at some point as it should be expected, but otherwise I think it delivers exactly what it announced, no more no less. Have seen it in IMAX 3D, in English subbed in French. I felt the 3D was right as it should be, maybe others will have different opinions. It adds just enough to some majestic shots (landscapes, sets, space, storm...). To me, it was not too intrusive and never disturbing, which I think is most important. It adds where it is most useful and does not ruin anything of the rest, so well run and managed all in all. Am not too good with paying a distinct attention or having a really defined opinion on the score/sound effects, mostly during the first viewing of a film, so take my judgement as you want. Not much to say about the sound effects or other such aspects. It was good and matching, not sure I was expecting anything very specific. Nothing stood out to my hears in particular but nothing disappointing I could notice either. Just like for the 3D, I would tend to say it is quite a good thing in the end. Only a couple remarks about the score too, all quite positive. One track (or theme) was more particularly noticeable, generally associated to 'engineers/events with a greater reach' – sorry, cheesy but could not find a better way to express that. It is played at various moments in the film – again unable to assert whether it is the exact same track or variations around a base theme. So not going to say it got me all emotional or crazed and all. However, must say it was not only fitting for the scenes, but it was also very enjoyable and honestly quite taking, it carries the action with a majestic epic feel, making those moments resonate with some well suited grandiose and mysterious vibe. The only other moment I noticed was some classical music played when the Prometheus travelling through space and David are introduced. Was nice and relatively impactful, both because of how it is brought and because it is reminiscent of other powerful images (thinking '2001' but maybe also other films I have yet to get a mental grasp upon) It has its fair share of gory moments and some quite raw and physically/symbolically violent injuries/deaths. It is a clear step above Alien in that regard, though neither my sister, her fiancé or I thought it was unbearable or in a league of its own compared to other stuff we have seen. Get me well, some stuff is sharp and some even seriously disturbing, and we much enjoyed it and did not think it was tuned too low in regard of the film's ambition. If it can make you feel better, you have to know that a 20-something guy 3 rows ahead of us passed out, right after what can seen as be the most challenging scene in a combination of painful gore, get-away-tension and horrific symbolism. People yelled for a medic and the guy was taken out as emergency services were called. So, ain't that some cool promise and the best reference to the atmosphere of the original screening of 'Alien' we could have hoped for? In relation to that, the 'scares' are mostly of the tense/thriller kind of scares, from the pain/horror of certain scenes or from the psychological/symbolical reach of events. More generally it oozes from the feeling of uncertainty/unpredictability of things and some characters' surprisingly self-ruling and quite ruthless personality (greatly featured element IMO), or even generally from how unknown the universe they are in is to them. Some scenes though use more 'jump out of your seat' types of scare, though they are not literally so as you most of the time see them coming somehow. Only, the scale of events or the sudden burst of violence unleashed can be somewhat striking. The visual effects were great and visually the whole movie is a treat, really. Hard to detail much on the good stuff, as it means it mostly blends in successfully. I am not the most picky but am somewhat familiar with 3D and renderings or photography, and I must say nothing jumped to my eyes as shockingly disgraceful or even remotely unpleasant (talking only on non-subjective terms, here). The few questionable elements are more subjective and actually appear to relate mostly to choices made by Scott and the design team. For my mates and I, as well as all any other people I overheard, it was all a plain success, even though we each had caught a few elements here and there that we eventually thought were not plain right or could be improved. However, when we discussed it, it was clear it involved distinct elements for each person (visual aspect of this / design of that creature etc...) so I guess it really goes down to individual taste and sensitivity in the end, and it's basically all good. Was not struck by any major flaw in the acting, which was all good IMO. Maybe only a couple secondary characters are less appealing but it is also due to the film's writing causing a few cheesy but limitedly disruptive or blameworthy cheesy one-liners/situations. ...this is, while the rest of the movie/characters actually yield a few tasty and often very funny dialogues/one-liners/situations. I would say the most noticeable acting performances are associated to the most developed/interesting characters. Rapace/Shaw, Fassbender/David are first on line, in that regard. Rapace's acting is particularly in tune and noteworthy IMO, though Fassbender's performance is also great even seriously juicy by moments, but will take a couple more viewings probably, to be fully appreciated. In particular, all I can say is one intriguing scene about Lawrence of Arabia, and the inspiration he gets from it – totally unlooked-for and absolutely funny. Thus, characters/actors are great, though we agreed on the fact that it was regrettable that some were a bit under-developed compared to what could be expected and their full potential not being exploited. Regarding good surprises, Idris Elba/Janek is not a huge central part but the actors' performance is good and mostly the grain the character brings to the movie is neat – one scene with Vickers was also totally unforeseen to me and a fantastic addition to the movie, very Scottian and hilarious. The way the Fifield/Milburn partnership takes shape and how they interact is nicely done and well dosed too. In regard to the rest of the Alien-saga... Though I most obviously love the films, I am not a total sci-fi and Alien über-nerd, however I think I can be considered quite knowledgeable regarding cinema in general. So here I will try to give my opinion with enough surrounding elements about my tastes that anyone can make up his own mind about whether he'll share my views or not. First, not considering the masterpiece 'Alien' is, you want to know that I am no big fan of 'Aliens' or Cameron, safe Abyss and Terminator. To me, 'Aliens' is plain uncalled for goofiness and a low-level B-movie that mostly benefited from the original film's aura and people's appeal for pop-corn-movies (which is the way I do actually enjoy it, don't get me wrong). I thought the Fincher 3rd instalment, despite its unsatisfying way to unroll, was way closer, showed much more respect and added a more interesting new background to the initial atmosphere. Not much to say about 'Resurrection' apart for the visual appeal and how a potentially not-so-bad story was messed with. In the end, I think I would rank Prometheus 2nd to the original Alien. It is mostly because the 1979 film succeeded on so many levels and carries such powerful symbolic/mythology while only 'claiming for' a much simpler and modest initial goal. For Prometheus the ambition was set from the start and I think was met to a large extent, though it is nowhere near a lecture on theology, evolutionary biology or philosophy. Only time will tell how far its symbolic reach goes and how vivid it remains, but I personally had some interest for the themes it went for and enjoyed it. I would then place Alien3 in 3rd position, before Aliens and finally Alien:R. Regarding the movie's scene-to-scene action per se, I would say the relatively consensual takes we had were very close to the reality. As so, the trailers/spots/featurettes can be considered as quite 'spoilerish' though not really, actually. I doubt any of you would be disappointed by a lack of 'new stuff though' and what is to be found in the movie. On a good note, the atmosphere of the trailers is definitely found throughout the film, so no disappointment here too. You can then have a few regrets about choices made regarding some characters' limited development or even the choice made for the ending etc, but I think the film and its campaign cannot be called for lies IMO. Also, as many people have repeated, many questions are left open. So, regarding the broader aspects the film plays with, most major aspects that are either left to your appreciation or hinted at by one character at some point in the movie. However, it is always only the characters' take on something, not a final statement about it nor necessarily the best positioned character to talk on that subject... buuuut... hints are given, still. In the end, many of us could be VERY close to what seems to be the Greater Scheme (in particular, I must say... me! Haha) but we are mostly left at that for now, only with more elements to fuel our guessing... ---Edit-1 Ok, might elaborate a bit on stuff I did not like. First, least important, I personally thought a few visual effects/ make-ups were a bit off. The sister+boyfriend and a few other people pointed other stuff but told me they really did not dislike it (did actually like it). What was more consensual concerned storytelling/script. IMO it partly explains some of the negative reviews. First, there are some clear flaws or inconsistencies in the way some scenes are brought, in some situations and in some character's behaviour. This was noticed and regretted by most people, mostly for some could easily have been avoided as they did not serve any purpose in the storytelling. One main thing here is the film taking quite many shortcuts here and there, most not very harmful and similar to what happens in many films, but a few more annoying (and again, mostly unnecessary). Clearly, a lot was to be tucked in only limited time. Thus, many elements that flesh-out and explain what is happening are barely hints. I think people on this forum will get all of these references, but I could see it was not that clear with 'regular folks'. To me, it explains many of the reviews who blame the film for going in too many direction and its intent not being clearly defined. I think it is only a matter of it being some 'demanding' kind of sci-fi and those precise elements will be what enthusiasts will actually discuss and like most about the movie. I did not give much insights about the ending. I cannot say it is the version I was hoping for either. Not saying it cannot yield good stuff in case of a sequel though. It has the potential to be just great, but it also is more of a slippy road, for sure. Finally, the link with Alien is not full-clear-cut, if you see what I mean, but the fact Prometheus is a 'relative' is still put more in your face than I was expecting. This “event” I actually quite like, but the thing it shows and making the link I think ain't that great/convincing. The reason I maintain that I liked the movie is because I think all these flaws don't hold much importance in the film, for when you look at the greater picture, the outline is what we expected and the questions that remain/arise are very exciting... [1st EDIT done - Added last 2 paragraphs] [might keep editing, warnings here and in comments - keep checking] Hope you like what you read! -T.