'Prometheus' fails to connect the dots

“Prometheus,” Ridley Scott’s long-awaited prequel to the “Alien” franchise, is, in a word, disappointing.

Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox - TM and © 2012 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

Aboard an alien vessel, David (Michael Fassbender) makes a discovery that could have world-changing consequences.

Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox - TM and © 2012 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

A stunning field fills a cavernous alien spaceship.

Kerry Brown - TM and © 2011 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

Logan Marshall-Green, left, Noomi Rapace, and Michael Fassbender explore a planet in the darkest corners of the universe.

Kerry Brown - TM and © 2011 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

Charlize Theron and Idris Elba on the bridge of the ship Prometheus.

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Prometheus makes its way to a distant planet.

Kerry Brown - TM and © 2012 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

Michael Fassbender as David explores an alien environment.

Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox - TM and © 2011 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

Noomi Rapace (left) and Kate Dickie (with Michael Fassbender in the background) explore the Ampule room.

This film has as much to do with “Alien” as a slice of bacon has to do with a cow.

For a successful prequel, it must explain long-asked questions and set a new foundation for the original films that shine light into established plotlines.

“Prometheus” does little of this. It’s as if Scott was presented with a story about the creation of the universe and thought he’d get the “Alien” fans to watch it by suggesting it was a prequel.

I have not been this annoyed with a prequel since “Star Wars: Episode 1.”

Scott lures you in a few key ways. One, there’s a ship that travels while the crew is in hyper sleep. Two, there’s an android onboard. Three, the crew uses vehicles that look like the ones from “Alien” films. Four, he offers just two visuals that give insight into those films.

This is no “Alien” film. It’s Scott’s philosophical journey into his own belief system.

Another problem this prequel shares with other attempts at science-fiction prequels has to do with the technology used in the film. Because filmmakers have new toys to play with, they advance technology in the films. The problem is a prequel takes place before the original films. Logically, the technology should be less advanced.

The film also has some grotesque moments. Not cool, aliens-popping-out-of-someone’s-stomach gross, just weird gross. 

In “Alien,” the slow manner in which the alien picked off the crew one by one was suspenseful and audiences didn’t know who would survive in the end. The audience formed attachments and became emotionally involved.

With “Prometheus,” there aren’t any likeable characters except for the android David, played by Michael Fassbender (“X-Men: First Class”). Even though you liked him, you weren’t really sure if he was a character you should like.

If you want to be surprised, don’t read the next line, but it’s too strange not to mention. Seriously, a giant squid? Scary, vicious aliens that bleed acid and fight the human race came from squid aliens. Give me a break.

Another head-scratching part of the movie is the role played by 44-year-old Guy Pearce (“The King’s Speech”). He portrays an elderly man in poorly done makeup. Why cast Pearce in the role? Why not hire an older actor?

Charlize Theron (“Snow White and the Huntsman”), Noomi Rapace (“Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows”) and Idris Elba (“Thor”) also star in the film.

“Prometheus” does not live up to the hype or previous Scott films such as “Blade Runner,” “Gladiator” or “Alien.” It’s just not good, has less grit than the original and does not fill in the gaps in the mysteries of the “Alien” world.

Other critics have looked passed the prequel inconsistencies to give the film a good review. For me, it was a waste of time.

You might want to check out “Madagascar 3” instead. I did not see it, but a zebra dancing in a clown wig has to be more entertaining than “Prometheus.”

Becca Owsley can be reached at (270) 505-1741. For movie reviews visit her reporter page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Becca-Owsley/96924584861.

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