Prometheus [DVD]

Don't be put off by the silly 1 star reviews on here because although prometheus isn't perfect and has flaws, it's still a magnificently crafted intelligent sci-fi film that challenges you to think. The problem was that the hype damaged this film, if you hype something for that long and that hard, then there will always be a degree of anti-climax, it's happened before and it'll happen again. People went in with ridiculous expectations and that's why there are so many stupid 1 or 2 star reviews - they never took it for what it was! to compare this,as some did on here, to "The phantom menace" is pathetic and childish to say the least.

The main problem with Prometheus is clearly it's unanswered questions, my opinion is that this will play better when the sequel arrives as it's really just act 1 of a 2 or 3 act play, that said there's still lots to enjoy here, namely Michael Fassbenders brilliant performance as David the Android, the exceptional design work,stunning fx and Naomi Rapace who is excellent in only her 2nd Hollywood role.

Fed up of silly robots smashing things up,superheroes and vacuous teen vampire movies? want sci fi but with a brain? then this movie is for you, sure it's not perfect but its miles better than most movies out there at the moment.

This is a great film in it's own right, even Ridley says it's not really a prequel, it's just that the idea for this film came about from elements of the first Alien film. Just watch it for what it is, a great piece of Sci-Fi.
Just a gripe now towards Amazon, Why don't you list the extras on any of your DVD / Blu Ray's? This would help many people in deciding which version of the disc to buy. Now originally I was going to buy the film which just came with a digital copy, this was around £15, or I could go for the copy which also had the 3D version, but not having a 3D TV I thought this would be a waste of time and an extra £5. But it wasn't until I read through a load of reviews where someone said to go for the 3D version as it had a film makers documentary which is 3.5 hours long, this I believe does not come with the other version. So I ordered the 3D version (which also has the normal 2D blu Ray version) which does indeed come with a 3.5 hour documentary, but that's not all, there is over 7 hours of bonus features on this disc, which are as follows:

Deleted scenes including alternate beginning and ending
making of Prometheus in depth documentary
Audio commentaries
The Peter weyland files
Weyland corp archive
Plus a Mobile app
Plus more

So if you like your extras then the 3D version is the way to go

*SPOILERS*

It seems this movie has split audiences, even the die-hard Alien fans like myself. I for one loved it, ok so it isn't as good as the original masterpiece Alien or the action-packed Aliens, but at least it's marginally better than the flawed but still very under-rated third instalment and I don't even acknowledge the existence of the atrocity that is Alien: Resurrection!

I am glad that Ridley decided to go in a different direction with Prometheus and not just do another `Alien' movie, he's a better director than that. Any number of other directors could do that job, but we were always going to get something a little more unconventional with Ridley at the helm, and given the latest offerings concerning the Alien franchise (the awful AVP films) we're better off for it!

In Prometheus Ridley seems to be laying the foundations for a much larger story that may or may not include the events in the other movies (many people don't realise that this isn't actually set on the planet that is featured in the other Alien films!) There are still a lot of questions left unanswered at the end of the film and the story could continue in any number of directions, which I found very intriguing.

What also surprised me was the close links to another of Ridley's films; Blade Runner! It explores similar themes of life, death, creation and of `meeting your maker'. The android character of David has a much larger role than I expected he would have, and the question of whether Vickers is also an android is an interesting, yet unanswered question, just like Deckard in Blade Runner. The Weyland/Tyrell comparison is obvious, there is even a nod to Tyrell and his Replicant technology in the `Weyland Files' extra in the special features. Weyland played by Guy Pearce, like Roy Batty in Blade Runner, is seeking more life and seems to go to any lengths to find it!

The cinematography, visuals, production design are excellent, there is a nice music score and a great ensemble cast with particular plaudits going to Michael Fassbender as the ambiguous android David.

The film does take a while to get going however, but when it does there are some great set-pieces and a few nice surprises during the climax!

Despite a few flaws Prometheus is a return to more `intelligent' sci-fi, it may not be the most original film ever but it certainly offers a breath of fresh air in the wake of more bubblegum crowd-pleasers like Avatar!