disappointment of 1997’s Alien Resurrection, and Prometheus set out to revitalize the film series with a prequel storyline digging into the complicated origin story of the xenomorph species.
Although Prometheus was a box office success, it was met with a polarized response from both fans and critics. Prometheus has a 73% critics score and a 68% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. These aren’t terrible ratings, but they indicate a much more mixed response than the near-perfect 90-something scores for Alien and Aliens. In the years since, Prometheus has remained one of the most underappreciated films in the Alien saga. Now, thanks to a couple of well-placed references in Alien: Romulus, however, Prometheus is finally getting the iration it deserves – and I couldn’t be happier.
Why Prometheus Was Met With Mixed Reactions Upon Release
The xenomorphs didn't need an origin story (and the characters make stupid decisions)
There were a few reasons why Prometheus polarized audiences upon its release. The biggest complaint about Prometheus – and one that I kind of agree with – is that the premise is fundamentally flawed. The xenomorphs worked perfectly well as a mysterious otherworldly killing machine that exists in the deepest depths of outer space. Explaining where they came from eliminated all the mystery surrounding these iconic monsters. On top of that, some Alien fans were disappointed that Prometheus is more of a philosophical science fiction epic than a straightforward horror film like Scott’s well-loved original Alien movie.
Prometheus: Why The Engineers Were Heading To Earth
In Ridley Scott's Prometheus, why were the primordial beings known as the Engineers planning on heading to Earth before they were attacked?
Although the actors were praised for their performances, Prometheus' characters were criticized for making stupid decisions: a supposedly intelligent botanist decides to pet an angry space cobra. Meanwhile, apparently brilliant scientists run in a straight line while a narrow spaceship falls on them instead of turning to the left or the right. When the plot relies on smart characters doing stupid things, it tends to distract the audience. Plus, while it promised to answer all the Alien franchise’s unanswered questions, Prometheus ended up asking more questions than it answered.
Prometheus Was A Massively Underrated Chapter In The Alien Franchise
Prometheus isn't perfect, but it's much better than its reputation would suggest
While the criticisms levied at Prometheus are certainly valid, it’s not a bad movie by any means. Regardless if the xenomorphs needed an origin story or not, it’s a delight to see a large-scale sci-fi extravaganza directed by Scott. He is one of the masters of the genre, and in Prometheus, he transports audiences to a truly alien world with stunning visuals. Michael Fassbender gives a captivating performance as the crew’s cold, calculating android, David, and Noomi Rapace is a worthy stand-in for Ellen Ripley as the sole survivor, Elizabeth Shaw.
Prometheus set up an Alien prequel trilogy, but it was canceled after its second installment, Alien: Covenant, was released in 2017.
Body horror has always been a key element of the Alien saga. The first film’s chestburster scene practically defined the subgenre. Interestingly, Prometheus has one of the franchise’s most chilling body horror sequences. When Shaw is impregnated with a creepy squid creature, she performs a gruesome abortion procedure on herself. Scott’s command of the tension and gore in this scene makes it every bit as terrifying as that of the original chestburster. It might not be perfect, but Prometheus is a lot better than its reputation would suggest.
Why Prometheus Is Finally Getting More Appreciation Now
Alien: Romulus has vindicated some Prometheus lore
Thanks to the blockbuster success of Alien: Romulus, Prometheus is finally starting to get the appreciation it deserves. Alien: Romulus has a nod to Prometheus lore when the Renaissance station’s android Rook describes the xenomorph-human hybrid DNA as “Prometheus fire.” This suggestion that Weyland-Yutani was experimenting with xenomorph DNA to create the perfect organism tied back to Scott’s underrated prequel. That isn't the only way that Alien: Romulus has vindicated Prometheus. Ironically, the flaws of Alien: Romulus have highlighted the strengths of Prometheus, too.
The Fate of Prometheus' First Xenomorph Was Too Gruesome For The Movie
The fate of Alien's first Xenomorph, the Deacon, was left open-ended in the film Prometheus, but the comic book sequel explained what happened to it.
For the most part, Alien: Romulus is a great Alien movie – the jump scares, the used-future production design, and the third-act twist are all spot-on. If I have one complaint, however, it’s that it’s overly reverent of the previous movies. With recycled shots and repeated lines of dialogue, Alien: Romulus plays as a sort of greatest-hits montage of the Alien franchise’s best moments. So, while it's a weak narrative on its own, these homages and references have made it easier to appreciate Prometheus.
Prometheus
- Release Date
- June 8, 2012
- Runtime
- 124 Minutes
- Director
- Ridley Scott
WHERE TO WATCH
2012's Prometheus is the fifth installment in the Alien franchise and was directed by Ridley Scott. Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, and Guy Pearce, the film acts as a direct prequel to 1979's Alien.
- Sequel(s)
- Alien: Covenant
- Franchise(s)
- Alien
- Studio(s)
- 20th Century
- Distributor(s)
- 20th Century
- Budget
- 130 million
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