“Prometheus”, starring Noomi Rapace (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, Michael Fassbender (“Haywire”, “X-Men: First Class”) as David and Charlize Theron (“Snow White and the Huntsman”, “Hancock”) as Meredith Vickers, is the prequel to 1979 film “Alien”. Set primarily in 2093, (30 years before “Alien”), it details humanity’s first contact with sentient alien life- more specifically, the first time we went to find them. As is common in the franchise, multiple agendas spark conflicts in the story, but we have a new agenda for the series in play- that of our makers. Similarly, there is an onion’s worth of symbolic meaning in the film- a hallmark of director Ridley Scott (“Alien”, “Blade Runner”). The film is enjoyable and thought-provoking- multiple viewings are strongly suggested to catch all of the details.
The big story of “Prometheus” is the symbolism under the main story. The film opens with an Engineer, (the Space Jockey race from “Alien”), drinking a black oil while overlooking a lush world. His body dissolves with his DNA then intermingling throughout the native biota. He appears to know what will happen, yet performs the consecration with calm resolve. This frames one of the principle themes of the story as sacrifice and its necessity for the greater good- or, to quote another franchise, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few”. The film is filled with imagery that reinforces the nature of sacrifice: the mural in the caverns, Charlie Holloway’s (Logan Marshall-Green) final act, Meredith’s statement about kings, and so on.
The Engineers have visited Earth several times in the deep past, and are responsible for us- their name is taken from having engineered us. During their later visits, they imparted us with their beliefs. Religions from across the world have sacrifice and/or the duty to others as a central theme. Prometheus is an obvious example, creating humanity, imparting the forbidden knowledge of fire, and being punished by having his abdomen torn open. Christianity also has a life giver being punished and his stomach torn open- Jesus on the cross was stabbed in the side by a Roman soldier. (This would be especially pointed given Scott’s interview with Movies.com, wherein he states the Roman Empire is the anathema to their teachings, and they crucified an emissary. From the interview, it seems this was the impetus for the eradication mission.) Other religions, ranging from Meso-American to Hindu to Norse, glorify the sacrifice of and/or to the gods and the necessity of sacrifice. This is the crux of the lesson the Engineers imparted to us.
Much more symbolism abounds throughout the film, much of it having religious overtones. The designation of the planetoid, (LV-223, i.e., LV22:3), naming the android David, the forms of the aliens, the black oil, even the ways most of the characters die can be read into. I could see papers being written on varying interpretations of the “true meaning” of the film- good stories engender this. To sum this up, there is significant symbolism and several ways to interpret it. To really get into the film, numerous viewings are required- and the director’s commentary on the DVD is eagerly anticipated. Regardless, you should not feel disappointed if you only see it once.
There are some issues with the plot, however. For an expedition decades in the making and years in the undertaking, there is a stunning lack of cohesion among the crew. No one seems to even know who is in command, with multiple characters actively ignoring various authority figures. Dr. Shaw refuses to allow weapons on their first investigation of a possible alien structure on a flimsy pretext, and no one overrides her. Characters conveniently get lost in a hallway or forget they can turn while running. Overall, they are fairly minor quibbles, but they can detract from a cerebral film.
“Prometheus” is a stunning movie to watch. It is comparable to “Avatar” in terms of detail, depth and consistency, though it would be more akin to its dark underbelly. Virtually every scene has several layers of background which are covered with meaning- a primary reason multiple viewings are suggested. The grisly aspects of “Alien” are presented, but in the age of the “Saw” and similar franchises, seem significantly less shocking- though no less disturbing. Likewise, the Engineers and their tools are both alien and familiar. Remarkably, the film appears simultaneously opulent and Spartan, which further underscores the sacrifice versus self-interest themes beautifully. The 3D version of the film is very crisp; you don’t feel like you are sacrificing quality for the effect like several other films do. That being said, you won’t feel at a loss watching either version of the film.
The conclusion of the film implies that a sequel is being planned. At this year’s WonderCon, Ridley Scott has said that “Prometheus” can work as a standalone, but that several questions were left unanswered deliberately. He went on to state that if there is a sequel, it will not be tied directly to “Alien,” but will veer further afield and explore more of that universe.
If you want a movie that will give you something to think about, “Prometheus” will be right up your alley. It’s a solid sci-fi thriller with a balance between the action and psychological overtones. The film can also be much deeper than the initial viewing if you want to delve into it. There is a lot of detailed back story which can be found on the viral website for Weyland Industries, (http://www.weylandindustries.com/); it is a treasure trove of spoiler-free information. If you want to simply kick back and enjoy a movie, “The Avengers” is still playing in most theaters. If you want to have your brain turned on while being entertained, “Prometheus” will sate your movie palate.