I’ve seen Prometheus…..twice. Though I normally make it a policy that your initial reaction should be the one that matters, certain films have a way of breaking all my rules and forcing me to watch them again….and not say one word until I’ve done so. More often than not, in fact, I could correlate the ability to break my rule with how good a film is seeing as I generally only talk about my initial reaction when I didn’t like the film. Luckily, Prometheus delivers on all its mysterious promise…eventually.

It seems like everyone went in expecting a revelatory film. The trailer promised questions and we were excited to find the answers. Only thing is, the film delivers what it promised: questions. Answers are, quite appropriately absent. This is a film about questions and lets the viewer answer, and this is the kind of movie I love (even if not immediately). And I really believe most of the negative comments about Prometheus are coming from people who misunderstood or are choosing to misunderstand the point of the film. This isn’t a direct prequel to Alien. This isn’t a horror movie (in the strictest sense). This is far far from an action film. And in a span of two seconds after my second viewing I heard two polar opposite reactions, “that movie movie sucked,” behind me and “that movie rocked,” in front of me. I had to agree with the person in front of me but I will openly admit that this is an extremely polarizing film.

Coming from a faith based perspective, I find a certain comfort in the once-in-a-life-time-a-film-doesn’t-hate-creationsist feel of the film. Seriously though, the film finally treats the idea that there are two perspectives worth debating on the worlds origin with a lot of respect; in fact, by the questions it asks, I believe it forces people into a near spiritual realm, wether they believe in God or not.

It is implied later in the film that maybe our creator(s) aren’t all that great, but if you watch long enough you’ll see that it’s the faith of our main character that drives and upholds the plots and themes of the film. When challenged on her belief in God as creator, she responds that she has no proof, it’s “what I choose to believe.” And its her belief in the long run that gives her any hope in the face of absolute desperation when those who are so anxious to take God out of the picture find theirself without answers and, in the end without hope.

Don’t expect a popcorn flick, expect a deep film that makes you think. These are the kind of the movies we should be making (as faith based filmmakers).

Prometheus is pure sci fi and it’s painted with masterstrokes by Ridley Scott. Are it’s criticisms fair? Some of them, mostly to do with some of the characterization in some scenes. However, it’d be incredibly hard for any writer to bring in characters that match the depth and density of Prometheus. But I give em 5 out of 5 for trying.

Brennan