The Polar Express: Review of Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer

Director: Boon-Joon Ho

By Alex Watson

Everyone hates a morning commute to work on the train, we are all penned in like cattle and pay fares which are always steadily increasing. Well imagine if you will actually having to live on one! This week Korean director Boon Joon-Ho shows us a radical version of the future where such a life actually exists in his movie, Snowpiercer. After mass controversy about its US/Canadian release due to Harvey Weinstein insisting on constant edits, Joon-Ho’s vision has finally made it and the anticipation has been high. But will two hours stuck on a train really make for good viewing?

In the year 2031, the world has been a frozen wasteland due a horrific chemical experiment to stop Global Warming years before. The surviving humans are forced to live inside a large train called Snowpiercer. Each carriage is divided by class and ruled with an iron fist by President Mason (Tilda Swinton). The tail inhabitants led by Curtis (Chris Evans) and Edgar (Jamie Bell) are plotting a revolution to end the class rule and to do this, they will need to fight their way to the front and take the most sacred part- the engine!

Snowpiercer is a truly remarkable piece of work by Boon Joon-Ho and it has been worth every minute of its long delay. A visual masterpiece along with being an engaging thrill ride, early on the movie goes into overdrive and this exciting effect rarely drags. Despite the physical limitations, there are many heart stopping moments along the way and each carriage they make an assault on brings a newer and more dangerous challenge. such as the moment where our heroes stumble across an army of armed soldiers- cue bloody and limbs being shed as the cross a large bridge followed by a long black tunnel (also look out for the most bizarre New Year celebration you will ever see).

We are shown a future where hope is a dangerous thing and those who dare to dream are severely punished. There is an almost Stalinist type feel to early scenes where we the poor inhabitants crowded into cramp carriages living in squalid conditions. Class rule is one of the key elements of this movie and the message from Mason is “I belong to the front, you belong to the tail” Joon-Ho however doesn’t get lost in a political argument and instead gives us a simple but effective tale of people simply wanting to be free. The moment however, when the groups rescues junkie ‘Security Expert’ Namgoong Minsu (Song-Kang ho) this gives their effort massive (albeit drug related) shot in the arm.

Curtis is the default leader of the group but is nervous about doing so. But he beautifully sums up the struggles of the poor class in one wonderfully emotional monologue towards the films end and with one line “I know what people taste like and I know babies taste best.” suddenly his whole mentality devastatingly clicks into place. Such moments of simple humanity rarely exists in movies like these and this kind of thing elevates Snowpiercer above the norm.

Amidst the tension and continually building animosity between class, Joon-Ho finds moments of surreal yet hilarious humour. In one scene, our heroes visit a class room overseen by an overly peppy teacher (Alison Pill) who after showing a hammy propaganda film about unseen leader ‘Wilford’ she bursts into the zany sing-song ‘The Engine is Eternal’ which at the time will seem bizzare- but be prepared for a surprise afterwards!

But the real moment we are counting down to is the groups final confrontation with Wilford (Actor name to be withheld) and this doesn’t disappoint, because all the bitterness comes to fruition, particularly when we see just how his sacred engine is being run! But the end shot is the one that will stay with us as it suggests a beautiful new possibility for humanities future!

Chris Evans once more proves he is star material as Curtis, but this turn requires a lot more from his than usual and for once, Evans shows how diverse his range can be. This is one of the more emotionally complex performances he will show us and gives proof that this man is more than just Captain America. But its Tilda Swinton who perhaps steals the show as the Yorkshire accented leader Mason- almost unrecognizable underneath heavy make up- her buck toothed character is both gut wrenching but also great comic relief at the same point. 

Although it may have taken its time to reach North America, Snowpiercer is by far one of the most original and stunning concepts that 2014 will bring and offers a unique mix of playfulness, excitement and feeling. I have no doubt this will be among my top 10 list for the year! Just think about this movie on your next train commute.

Tomorrow, Today: Review of Transcendence

Transcendence

Director: Wally Pfister

By Alex Watson

How is humanity to going to survive in the future? That is a question raised in numerous movies in the past, but there is also a notion of how we can evolve beyond human form. Director Wally Pfister this week, brings us an interesting presentation that does indeed make us wonder it if is possible for the human conscience to exist elsewhere, and what the potential repercussion are of allowing this in his movie, Transcendence. A long time collaborator with Christopher Nolan, this marks Pfisters debut in the directors chair, but with a high quality A-List cast behind him, this could prove to be something to remember!

Dr Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is a scientist who presents a radical notion, that in the future he can create a type of artificial intelligence that can control everything- including the human conscience. After he is murdered by an anti-techology group, his loyal wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) and his colleague Max (Paul Bettany) upload his conscience onto a computer and it evolves and grows rapidly! But although the computer of Will states it wish make the world a better place, his true intentions soon start to raise questions.

Despite a promising trailer campaign, the end product of Transcendence falls way short of the mark and we are left with a picture that despite some impressive ideas, leaves us very puzzled. Pfister shows some good touches as director and his previous cinematography experiences present us with some beautiful and cutting edge moments, but underneath all the visual flair, the movie is a bit of a mess and fails to make most of the heavyweight cast of which it is given.

The main story is straight of Christopher Nolan country and the initial stages it makes for an provocative argument of just how far humanity can go beyond a cognitive state- but before long the movie trips up on its ideals and the logical begins to become muddled, which confuses the action on display and leaves us with a rather flat after taste. Will is a man whose curiousity about the universe has cost him his own life, but when transferred to a computer, his mind quickly runs wild leading him and everyone he holds dear down a dangerous path. There are some nice mystery elements to be found in Pfisters film but they are few and far between, and by the bizzare and underwhelming climax we have begun to lose interest.

An undercooked side story of the terrorist group RIFT lead by Bree (Kate Mara) is an addition which fails to truly add something special except a statement of how technology is taking over our lives, another sideshow involving Joseph (Morgan Freeman) working with the FBI also doesn’t raise the stakes. The main issue here, is the weak script by Jack Paglen which feels disorganised and due to this fact, the dialogue feels wooden and cliched. Pfister gives this movie his best shot and in some ways it is a shame that the end result has not met the expectations because he does show brief flurries of being an able director in the future.

Johnny Depp is as always watchable, but even this man cannot elevate the picture to where it needs to be, but he does still have great presence that both draws and frightens us as we debate Will’s true intentions. Rebecca Hall does well as his devoted wife Evelyn and she handles the emotional side of things skillfully and in the third act, she demonstrates Evelyn’s gradual disillusion with how the idea has come out tremendously. Morgan Freeman is as usual, the wise man trying to avert disaster, but Paul Bettany does better in support and his horror at seeing what his friend Will has become is finely conveyed and proof he is one actor you can rely on in these type of pictures.

Transcendence is a movie that in more experienced hands could have been remarkable, but tragically we have to settle for what we currently see. It is unfair to dismiss Pfister after one effort, so I will reserve judgement for the time being on this man. But this does make us think about what is the future for the human race? And just how much will AI affect us?

 

Digital Love: Review of Her

In the modern age, it seems relationships are continually evolving and these days we do not need to have a physical presence in order to be happy as cyber dating has taken off! But can humanity survive and be happy with only a computer for company? Well this year, Director Spike Jonze poses this very question in his indie move Her. So far, his story of a solitary man finding love with an AI system has been one of the darlings of the award circuit (including an Oscar nomination for Best Picture) and with its impressive cast, this has been one of the most talked about movies of 2014, but can it really sustain the hype?

In 2025 Los Angeles, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is a lonely and secluded man who is struggling to deal with his impending divorce to his wife Catherine (Rooney Mara). To help improve his life, Theodore installs a new operating system named Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), whose has a personality which is designed to continuously evolve. As the pair get to know each other, they both fall deeply in love. But even though it feels like bliss, things become complicated by the fact she is only a voice!

Her is one of those movies that will make your heart truly sparkle and it earns the widespread critical acclaim bestowed upon it. The futuristic setting benefits the film and there are some great moment to be had, such as video games with abusive avatars (one voiced by Jonze himself), where books are now rare antiques and in this world, other character are engrossed in their computers that they simply pass each other by on the street. A typical Jonze character, Theodore is a down trodden and depressed individual who writes other peoples love letters for a living at beautifullywrittenletters.com. But as he chooses Samantha as the voice of his system, the pair hit things off straight away and she begins to improve his existence and makes him smile through their witty conversations.

Theodore’s life isn’t completely empty as we meet his various companions such as his sad neighbour Amy (Amy Adams) and experience his awkward blind date with a commitment hungry lady (Olivia Wilde)- compared to these people though, Samantha is a far more safer better for him. In the early stages their romance is utterly alluring and even though she is just a system, Samantha is the perfect girl for this man and regardless of a physical presence, the pair are very much an item! Sound-tracked to a magnificent Arcade Fire score, Jonze turns the charm factor to 11. But although some around him accept this as perfect normal- others (such as Catherine) poses the question of him just wanting a relationship without having to make the effort and this fact lingers on his mind throughout.

But like all great doomed romances, the crack begins to appear, and this bring a slight gloom to Her‘s later acts and before long in the pairs romance as their once wonderful late night conversations become overly long and increasingly strained and the lack of a presence soon becomes a big thing- which leads to one of the movies most hilariously ironic moments where Samantha hires a surrogate (Portia Doubleday) to allow the pair to have sex, only for Theodore to reject for not being real enough! Also as she evolves, Samantha becomes increasingly self absorbed and demonstrates the same types of personality shift that ruined Theodore’s marriage. Jonze’s argument whether man and AI can exist in harmony is a Coercive one and its lack of assurance adds to the doubt and worry of Theodore and lead ourselves to wonder what truly makes us happy?

Joaquin Phoenix makes for the perfect choice as the introverted and heartbroken Theodore and throughout he brings a terrific sense of melancholy. Harmed by past events, the continuous pained look in Phoenix’s eyes gives the emotional root of the movie. After his mesmerising return in The Master, it is truly great to see Joaquin back on screen again. Amy Adams is also impressive as his soon to be divorced neighbour Amy and she is able to excellently portray a sense of tragedy mixed with a sense of uplifting relief that her life is changing for the better.

But perhaps the movies real star turn comes from an A lister who never once appears and through just using her voice, Scarlett Johansson injects a tremendous charisma to Jonze’s film and allows her character to become the sort of girlfriend that dreams are made of and like her AI character, her performance effortlessly matures. A late replacement for original choice Samantha Morton, Johansson has proven to be the correct choice.

Spike Jonze’s Her is one of those movies you will inevitably see at some point and like many of his others, you will laugh, cry and go away rethinking your life and wondering what exactly will bring you closure? I think we will struggle to find a more heart warming and shiny film in 2014 and this brings proof that not all love needs to be human!

Time Is Running Out: Review of Gravity

Gravity

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

By Alex Watson

 

As numerous space exploration movies have taught us, nothing in space ever goes according to plan and any character on display will be fighting for their very lives. This week we are given what could just be one of the best films of the year as we review Alfonso Cuaron’s film Gravity. Since receiving a lengthy standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival earlier this year, they hype about this movie has been through the roof. But as we have so often seen, sometimes like space, things don’t quite go to plan!

On a routine mission, spacewalking astronauts Dr Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) are hit in mid orbit by debris from a destroyed Russian satellite separating the two in midst of space! With Oxygen levels running low, the pair have limited time in which to find a way to safety.

The first thing I have to say about this movie is…. believe the hype! Because Gravity is a truly thrilling and gripping story of survival and through Cuaron’s skilful direction we are given an eye of the human race’s very instinct to stay alive. From the very outset there is a slow boiling sense of tension and when the big moment comes this picture comes into pulsating overdrive and it rarely pauses for breath! In 3D this will be one of the events of the year, but the most refreshing element of Cuaron’s movie is there is no logic or scientific thinking needed- just sit back and enjoy this stunning ride!

Forgoing any kind of back-story or explanation as why the pair are in space, this movie starts with a stunning 10 minute opening shot where at first we only hear our heroes through radio transmissions and Kowalski saying “I have a bad feeling about this mission”. As they gradually come into view things seems calm and docile as they hover overlooking earth. We then hear of a debris from a Russian satellite approaching, the pair pay this no attention, but soon it becomes apparent that this will get problematic. When the hit occurs- carnage ensues! While Kowalski strives to control the scenario- Stone is sent whirling around on a disconnected shuttle arm and is forced to release from her cord, sending her spinning into the great unknown!

Throughout Gravity there is a sense of time counting down and as we view an extreme close up Stone’s face frozen in panic, we don’t need to be told that things have gotten out of hand. But as Cuaron goes behind her space visor- we see that her Oxygen level is less than 5%- on that level literally every breath is going to count! As the movie progresses, we yearn for Stone to find a way to survive but as she frantically calls out to dead radio- our fists clench in fear. Rather than recount the events and spoil any surprises, I will simply say that it is best to go out there and discover this tale for yourself- because every one of the 90 minutes is worth the ticket price.

Alfonso Cuaron also succeeds in gaining two powerful performances from his actors, with Sandra Bullock the standout performer, many people (including myself) have been dismissive of Bullock over the years, despite an Oscar win. But there she shows just what she is capable of with a mesmerising and affective performance and right through this movie she holds the centre! George Clooney is equally impressive as the calm and charismatic Kowalski and he is the element that gives this movie its moments of human emotion and it is his encouragement and thinking that gives the pair a shot at survival!

Expect to see this movie on every major award list this winter and Gravity deserves every accolade it gains because it is one of the most breathtaking experiences of the year and show us just how impossible life in space can be (just read the opening title cards!). Enjoy this ride, be sure to bring along a defibrillator, because your heart might just stop!

The Great Unknown: Review of Star Trek: Into Darkness

Star Trek: Into Darkness

Director: JJ Abrams

By Alex Watson

JJ Abrams’ reboot of the Star Trek series has truly been phenomenal and a franchise which was once considered for die hard fans only has reached an all new audience worldwide. But with Abrams’ now overseeing the rival Star Wars franchise it appears that this might be the end of the road. But with all that aside, the promos for his new effort Star Trek: Into Darkness has promised a great deal- but are James T Kirk and company up for the task?

After his heroic defeat of the Romulans in the first movie, Captain James T Kirk (Chris Pine) is now skating on thin ice with Star Fleet due to his constant dismissal of the rules which has now put him at odds with his first officer Spock (Zachary Quinto), who is experiencing problems of his own in his relationship with Uhura (Zoe Saldana). But big trouble arrives in the shape of former Fleet man John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch) who begins to wage his own personal war against the Federation. Kirk and other members of the USS Enterprise will soon lead a manhunt to hunt him down, whatever the cost!

Star Trek: Into Darkness will rank as the one of the best blockbusters of the year and all the way through this is an entertaining and spectacular ride! The high octane feel is present from the very beginning as we open on the end result of an Enterprise mission where Kirk and Bones McCoy (Karl Urban) run for lives from pasty white warriors in a red vine jungle only to find a cliff top dead ahead! Abrams is currently proving he is the master of set pieces and his direction of the action sequences is second to none, particularly during the numerous epic showdowns against Harrison!

The first Star Trek movie dealt with the beginning years where Kirk was learning how to make something of himself and Spock was trying to discover his real identity. Here the two are still very much in school, Kirk is learning what it means to be a leader rather than a hotshot who hates the rules and Spock is well… learning how to be a good friend. Their petty squabbles give us much of the movie’s comic relief and Spock’s Vulcan honesty causes much friction, particularly as he fails to appreciate his friends life saving act during the film’s opening because was “against the prime directive!”

But their relationship grows ever stronger and the movie benefits here from an excellent script by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof which unlike many before it, has an emotionally charged feel and this makes way for some tear jerking moments as Spock finally begins to reveal his true colours and begins to learn that being a good friend sometimes mean breaking the rules. This is shown to us through a gutsy and deceptive trick that puts Harrison in his place!

The truly great element of Star Trek: Into Darkness comes from its magnificent villain, John Harrison who holds the screen with such sheer force that it is impossible not to fear him! Harrison is literally a one man wrecking crew- who throughout causes havoc wherever he goes and his cold and calculating persona is not one to cross. Like all great adversaries, his reasons for starting his war remain ambiguous and when he reveals intentions, it is hard not to be shocked. But Harrison also carries with him a great physical threat and as he takes a severe beating from Kirk and barely bats an eyelid, it is clear this is no ordinary man! Through the icy menace of Benedict Cumberbatch, this makes him one of the best baddies of the year!

The other Enterprise cast members are equally excellent and Chris Pine is fast becoming an impression addition to the Star Trek series and rings in another charming and sensitive performance as Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto matches him blow for blow in the emotional stakes as his Spock evolves from being a Vulcan man-droid to being something far more humane and it will interesting to watch this space for these two! Also it is great to see Peter Weller appearing in this as Admiral Marshall and no doubt fans of Robocop shall rejoice as we remember how could he can be in the right kind of role.

With Abrams’ taking over the George Lucas Empire for the foreseeable future, this appears to be his last voyage on the USS Enterprise. But should this be his final effort, Abrams has left the series on a high note and has given us one of the summer’s finest blockbusters! You’ll be hard pressed to find a better villain in 2013 though!

After Earth: Review of Oblivion

Oblivion

Director: Joseph Kosinski

By Alex Watson

Numerous times on the big screen we have seen the world threatened by a variety of different means such as alien attacks, nuclear war and most notably- Doctor Evil from Austen Powers! This week, we see Tron Legacy director Joseph Kosinski show us a world devastated by war and the people who are trying to survive in his follow up movie Oblivion. After the visual feast of his previous effort, expectations will be high for this one and with Tom Cruise’s star power in support, this effort could be interesting! But after seeing this event so many times, is it possible to present a fresh version of these events?

Set in the far future, Earth has been attacked by an unknown alien race and as result has been devastated and the surviving human members have been evacuated to a new home before they settle on the planet Titan. Technician Jack Harper (Tom Cruise) is currently based on earth with his lover Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) and their job is to protect and maintain the equipment for the earth’s resources- but Jack is troubled by dreams of an unknown woman (Olga Kurylenko) and starts to wonder is something is wrong with the mission- soon he will come across the mysterious Malcolm Beech (Morgan Freeman) who will shed more light on his suspicions!

Oblivion is a visually spectacular effort from Kosinski and after his impressive debut in Tron Legacy, his eye for the splendid CGI is well present here and we are shown an earth that is almost in the same vein as Planet of the Apes and as we see various landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Empire State Building we realize the devastation caused. Also his choreography of the action scenes is equally impressive and this will prove to be effects money well spent.

But although everything looks pretty on the surface, it is a shame that more attention wasn’t given to the plot! And it is in this area where Oblivion begins to lose itself because although there are many ideas present, the story feels a little a thin on the ground and the film seems to focus on the big effects, although a starting voiceover from Cruise inform us of attacks and the relocation of humanity- the logic of certain events later in the story become mangled and this will mostly like present more questions than answers as the end credits roll. Kosinski has created a truly stunning world that rings true but his fast paced direction suffers from the same effects as Tron Legacy did where attention was shifted firmly to the effects leaving the story secondary.

Another problem faced is that we never truly get a feel for the characters that are presented to us, Jack Harper’s story is one that has potential and it poses some interesting questions about life after earth- but some of the supporting characters he is given are very one dimensional, particularly Victoria who seems to merely follow protocol at all costs and although Malcolm Beech hints at big mystery, ultimately his character falls at bit flat and feels just like Morgan Freeman’s typical character these days!

Tom Cruise is as solid as ever and makes the most of the material he is given for Jack Harper, but it is not a role that stretches his ability by any means and simply requires him to turn up and look heroic. But his presence does elevate this picture above the average standard and when it comes to blockbusters, he is always the man to turn to. Andrea Riseborough and Olga Kurylenko provide good eye candy but neither really musters a commanding female presence to truly affect the picture, though it is nice to see the talented Riseborough being given a shot in a major flick!

I understand that that this is just entertainment and Oblivion is not a bad picture by any means and give us a solid night’s entertainment, but with its talented cast and director, this film could have been much more than what is given to us. Kosinski is a director for the future; there is no doubt about that and you can feel a definitive picture brewing somewhere. But this picture will make you wonder how life will be spent on earth if the aliens really do turn up someday!

Changing with the Times: Looper Review

Looper

Director: Rian Johnson

By Alex Watson

It has been a little while since there has been a truly mind bending sci-fi thriller, not since Chris Nolan launched Inception upon the film world and made our twist like a pretzel has there been a film that has made us ask all kinds of questions! But this year there has been a lot of hype surrounding Rian Johnson’s follow up to his well acclaimed debut film Brick, a film which deals with a very different form of time travel and proposes us to think, what happened if we met our future selves? Expect debates a plenty as we review Looper.

Set in the future, Joe (Joseph Gordon- Levitt) works as a Looper- an assassin who executes people sent by time travel from 30 years in the future. He is very successful at his job, but one day- the target turns out to be the future Joe (Bruce Willis)! Because of this he fails to carry out his hit and as a result his bosses are soon in pursuit of him. When he meets his future self and learns to plans to avenge his pain filled past. As both work to change their future, they will both some come into contact with single mum Sara (Emily Blunt) and her interesting little boy!

I am happy to announce that Looper is exactly the kind of intelligent sci-fi thriller we have been searching for in the last couple of years. The plot is very technical to describe and would normally require Professor Brian Cox type intellect to understand, but where it stands out is in its brilliant storyline which has legs that allows it to stride forward; the notion of history being re-written is fantastically portrayed and brings into a view a number of interesting questions.

After all, we have all wondered what meet our future selves would be like and how it could change our path in life. The moment when both Joe’s cross paths is one of the highlights of the movie, and is proceeded by an impressive 30 year montage where we see Joe go from being a callous young assassin, to a being mixed up with the mob and a life on the run! Afterwards we see the fear in the young Joe’s eyes as the older one describes the pain and heart break that has plagued his life. Although his younger man scoffs at this, he can’t shake the feeling that this will one day happen to him! Here Rian Johnson puts all our questions into view and makes us think about what we can do to change things for the better!

Looper succeeds on a level where films like The Adjustment Bureau (which also dealt with re-writing history) failed because although the former had an interesting idea to it, the logic got mangled on screen and caused people to ask too many questions surrounding it. From the very beginning of Johnson’s film, he has any potential questions iced in an opening voice-over and from there it makes the future seem plausible. Here were are shown a dystopian future where people do drugs through their eye balls and the economic crisis is so bleak, tramps literally line the streets. This is a truly unique vision and for once shows that in a brainy sci-fi, ideas come before visuals!

Both Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are magnificent as the older and younger versions of each other and together they hold centre stage well, also through impressive make up Gordon-Levitt looks identical to Willis and this blocks any potential snipes that two don’t seem alike!

Emily Blunt is also wonderful as Sara, a woman whose love for her son is absolute; even though he will pay an awful part in the future Joe’s tragic back story! Blunt doesn’t just play the typical doe eyed woman and gives Sara a strength that makes her stand out.

There is no doubt that we are looking a major talent of the future, Rian Johnson has brought us a film which has great heart and truly makes our mind ticks. Looper will be high on my list of films for 2012 and I can guarantee any viewer that they will not have a brainier and thought provoking experience like this. Cult status is guaranteed for this picture, Johnson and Gordon-Levitt better get together soon because together anything is possible! Be sure to think of your future everyone, because who knows what lies ahead!

On Stranger Tides: Prometheus Review

Prometheus

Director: Ridley Scott

By Alex Watson

 

Ever since its announcement, Alien fans everywhere have been debating whether or not Ridley Scott’s new film, Prometheus is a prequel to the series. The argument is strong on both sides, but through an impressive viral campaign we have gotten the impression that Scott isn’t interested in just giving another re-tread of his sci-fi masterpiece and instead hopes to give us a whole new experience. But with no Ripley present, how will his return to the genre that made him great stand out? What is lurking in the darkness in this film and more importantly, will any chests burst?

When scientists Dr Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) find cave paintings with appears to be a star chart; they are convinced that this is a calling from higher beings to come and find them. Soon they are attached to Weyland Industries project landing upon uncharted planet LV-223, accompanied by icy Weyland Executive Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) and android David (Michael Fassbender). Initially they are excited about potential meeting their creator, but soon events take a dramatic turn!

Prometheus fits well into Ridley Scott’s alien universe but this isn’t strictly a prequel to the events proceeding. In some ways you could view this as a whole new take on the saga. Throughout the film you can feel Scott’s passion for the project, the effects are beautifully presented and in 3D this will be a well spent experience. But it also has very different feel than its predecessor because it is darker and has an almost rougher outline to it.

Also this film asks more interesting questions, the big one being ‘Who are we? And where do we come from?’ This effect is treated like opening Pandora’s Box; at the beginning we are as thrilled as Shaw and Holloway about discovering the answer. But as the bodies stack up and the feeling grows tenser, we get the common vibe that some answers are meant to be found!

But underneath the layer of gloss it isn’t such a pretty affair, because unlike the original Alien which was tension personified, Prometheus suffers from a lack of suspense and at times feels flat. Because of this when the terrible events do happen we merely shrug them off! It is a shame that Scott didn’t expand of this effect because this could have elevate this film to be Sci-Fi of the year! Also the characters in this place just feel bland and formulaic, and just mainly feel like lambs to the slaughter.

The real missing ingredient however, is a strong female presence. Shaw is an interesting character but she doesn’t feel able to hold the film centrally and seems to a great dealing of mainly running through corridors looking afraid. The saving grace is the creation of David, the mysterious android aboard the ship. He differs from previous androids like Ash because he is the loyal servant who serves his master well, but perhaps too well and throughout the film we are always guessing as to what his motives truly are. His presence alone gives the movie the mystery it needs and we sit in wait for David to reveal his true colours!

Michael Fassbender gives the best performance in Prometheus as David. His portrayal is a smart one because rather than just copying typical android psycho Ash, Fassbender finds another level and plays David with almost child-like naivety and throughout we wonder what is running through his circuits? This is yet more proof that Fassbender is truly a name to watch out for. Noomi Rapace does well as Elizabeth Shaw and she is a very different female presence than we are accustom to in Scott’s universe. For those who saw her as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo– this will almost seem like a far soft side to her!

But Charlize Theron is underused as corporate suit Meredith Vickers, at first it seems like she fits into the stereotypical role of the movie bitch. But Theron gives a thinly veiled humanity in her quieter moments and we discover that her motives aren’t all work related! More of her could have given the movie another edge.

Spiritually Prometheus should have been the perfect prequel to the Alien saga, but sadly after viewing this I went hope with an empty feeling inside. It is still worth a watch to get a glimpse of where it all began, but ultimately this just feels like Fox’s big summer hope has missed the mark. Thanks for coming back Sir Ridley, hope it’s a better visit next time!