To set the record straight, this movie is indeed an 'Alien' prequel. It offers insight to the origins of the alien creatures, the derelict ship, and the dead space jockey pilot from the first film. However, these insights are only part of the plot to Ridley Scott's return to the sci-fi genre. The film holds a lot of promises in the first twenty minutes with it's "humans were created by aliens" concept but the theological and philosophical implications are only touched upon. There is no denying that 'Prometheus' is a great looking film. Scott's manic attention to detail is on full display with the spaceship interior and vehicles. The cinematography and top-notch visuals give the film's universe a sense of vastness. As great as the film looks, it is taken down by a cliche and very convoluted script. The film sets out for new territory to explore but only ends up treading over the same ground as it's predecessors. The film becomes such an 'Alien' knock-off that it even has the 'crew member having a secret agenda' twist. Aside from the android David (played fantastically by Michael Fassbender), the rest of the characters are bland, with most existing just to be alien bait. Plus the number of confusingly ridiculous moments and un-answered questions plague the film as it plods along. It's a shame that even with Ridley Scott back at the helm, this latest entry in the Alien franchise can't escape mediocrity. In all honesty, it should have stopped with 'Aliens'.

Its the future and scientists have found the traces of early alien visitation on Earth, and can trace the traces. So begins Ridley Scott's adventure to find the source of humanity. Heady stuff, so described, but like many stories, a great sendoff is not guarantee of even a fitting conclusion, which is where this tale sadly drops the ball. Sadly because not only is humanity's origin the premise but, more ominously, more thematically exciting, the origins of that cute and lovely little bitch Sigourney Weaver fights in Aliens. This is a roller coaster ride I want in on. Fassbender owns the movie as the most interesting character. Whatever will the willful curmudgeon do next? Charlize Theron follows closely but is given nada to do. Idris Elba is shaped to be the manly old style sci-fi hero, but blink and you'd miss him. Guy Pearce is there (as another honored competitor has noted) but why? Which leaves Noomi Rapace to flail around the sets, perhaps herself wondering why. And so finally yet another film demonstrating quite succinctly that the most essential special effect in movies is the writer.