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MOVIE REVIEW

Prometheus

MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for sci-fi violence including some intense images, and brief language.

Reviewed by: Daniel Thompson
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Sci-Fi Action Thriller Drama 3D
Length: 2 hr. 4 min.
Year of Release: 2012
USA Release: June 8, 2012 (wide)
DVD: October 9, 2012
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Relevant Issues
Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

According to Director Ridley Scott, the film's plot was inspired by Erich von Däniken's writings about ancient astronauts.

Who is Erich von Däniken?

Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Aliens (extraterrestrials)

What does the Bible say about intelligent life on other planets? Answer

Are we alone in the universe? Answer

Does Scripture refer to life in space? Answer

questions and answers about the origin of life

FILM VIOLENCE—How does viewing violence in movies affect families? Answer

Creation SuperLibrary.com
Top choice for accurate, in-depth information on Creation/Evolution. The SuperLibrary is provided by a top team of experts from various respected creationist organizations who answer your questions on a wide variety of topics. Multilingual.
Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Featuring Noomi RapaceElizabeth Shaw
Michael FassbenderDavid
Charlize TheronMeredith Vickers
Idris ElbaJanek
Guy PearcePeter Weyland
Patrick WilsonShaw’s Father
See all »
Director Ridley Scott — “Black Hawk Down,” “Gladiator,” “American Gangster”
Producer Brandywine Productions
Dune Entertainment
See all »
Distributor Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Trademark logo.20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company

yet again an atheist director/producer promotes Ancient Astronaut pseudo-science, Atheism and Nihilism

Director Ridley Scott’s much anticipated science fiction thriller “Prometheus”, long in the works, has been rumored to be not only Scott’s return to science fiction, but also his return to the world of the “Alien” films, which are still beloved to this day. Scott recently said that “Prometheus” is not a prequel, but does have “strands of ‘Alien’ DNA.” While that sounds all the more ambiguous, after viewing “Prometheus,” I can tell you that it is, in fact, a direct prequel to the “Alien” franchise, as well as a breathtaking marvel to behold.

In the year 2093, the spaceship Prometheus is bound for a planet over 500 million miles away. The journey has taken the 17 person crew over two years to complete. Why are they making such a journey? Because doctors Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie Holloway have discovered historical evidence that points to this planet as the birthplace of human civilization. In other words, this planet may finally hold the answer that humans have pondered throughout their existence: Who am I, and why am I here? While answers are found, they also come with imminent doom.

The crew of the Prometheus has been assembled by retired billionaire Peter Weyland. Along with Shaw and Holloway, the crew includes a medical doctor, ship captain, geologist, and biologist. Also, aboard the Prometheus is Weyland Corporation’s president Meredith Vickers, and a robot named David. David is not just any robot. He has been programmed to understand and mimic the human experience. He is also brilliant and can interpret any findings of the crew. Needless to say, every life is up for grabs, and some members of the crew have ulterior motives that may undermine the mission, as a whole. As the story unfolds, viewers are given a gripping story that also fills in plenty of details which clarify Ripley’s adventure in the original “Alien”.

“Prometheus” is a science fiction spectacle of magnanimous proportions. Viewed in IMAX 3D, the film is a visual feast that is jaw dropping. The detail and scope that Scott delivers is unimaginable and must be seen to be believed. The cast of the film is top notch. Michael Fassbender (“X-Men: First Class”) plays David, and gives a fascinating performance, almost completely devoid of emotion. Noomi Rapace plays the lead character of Dr. Elizabeth Shaw. While Rapace may not be known to many American audiences, she is a talented Swedish actress who is spellbinding, giving one of the best performances of the year. Charlize Theron and Guy Pearce are also excellent in supporting roles.

The content of “Prometheus” is what might be expected from an “Alien” prequel. The film is rated R and should not be viewed by children. It is a movie with great intensity. There are many frightening scenes that include killing, blood, and gore. There is one particular scene that includes stomach surgery on a patient who is still awake. There is no nudity in the film, although the women wear little clothing while they are in hyper sleep chambers. The language is actually tame for an R rated film, but does include one f-word, as well as several uses of God’s name and other mild profanities.

One of the most interesting aspects of “Prometheus” is the questions that the film poses about creation. Within the film, they present arguments for Evolution, as well as intelligent design. Obviously, it’s a science fiction film, and God is not presented as the creator, but the film does make a strong argument not only for intelligent design, but also for believing in something bigger than one’s self. While Ridley Scott is not a Christian, he has said that it is almost impossible that life on Earth was created without some sort of outside help. This belief is clear as “Prometheus” unfolds.

Ridley Scott has created a visually arresting, thought-provoking film in “Prometheus”. With so much hype surrounding this production, it may be difficult for the movie to live up to the expectations of the most ardent of fans. What cannot be denied is that “Prometheus” is the most visually accomplished film of the year, and, while only for adult audiences, it adds to the legacy Scott created over 40 years ago with “Alien.” Provocative, frightening, and masterfully delivered.

  • Violence: Extreme
  • Profanity/Vulgarity: Heavy—“J*sus Chr*st” (2), “J*sus” (1), “G*d-d*mn” (5), “My G*d” (3), “Oh G_d” and OMG, “So help me God,” h*ll (10), “s” words (8), d*mn (3), SOB (2)
  • Sex/Nudity: Moderate

Editor’s comment

Followers of Christ should alert about this film’s promotion of ANCIENT ALIENS or ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS theory, because this is an issue that is truly deceiving a very great number of people, partly because it is presented as scientific and archaeological (both false claims). At its base, it is a lie being used by godless people to “scientifically” explain away Biblical miracles and events—and God Himself.

This tactic started with atheist author H.P. Lovecraft. Years later, this pseudo-scientific idea was famously promoted by Erich von Däniken (Chariots of the Gods) and others. The Director of this film was inspired by von Däniken, and says so. This idea has particularly been used by some whose worldviews are New Age or Evolutionism/Atheism (or both).

The claim is that extraterrestrials with advanced technology came to Earth in ancient times and were mistaken for gods, angels and supernatural activity—and that out of these encounters with naive and unsophisticated humans (who misunderstood what they witnessed), humans began to worship these aliens—and the world’s religions (including Christianity) are the end result.

I have researched these claims in considerable depth, including attending von Däniken lectures. I am in agreement with many other researchers, the so-called evidence for this fantasy is filled with foolish errors and serious outright lies and deceptions.

Nonetheless, many sci-fi books, movies and TV shows have eagerly used and promoted what is essentially a dangerous Atheist-inspired worldview.

What difference does it make? When accepted, this pseudo-science leads people directly away from Biblical truth about Earth’s Creation, mankind’s place in God’s plan, Earth’s history of wicked rebellion against the Creator, and the record of His judgments. Inherent in this worldview is rejection of belief in God and the Bible. People are less likely to perceive their spiritually bankrupt state before God and are more unlikely to want—or listen to—the Gospel.

Entertainment dramas that use the ancient extraterrestrial encounters fantasy and thus promote it some extent…

If nothing else, the mere CONSTANT REPETITION of this view of history in entertainment media is causing it to become embedded in the minds of billions of people, making it somehow seem to them less ludicrous than it really is. Discerning Christians know that we and God have an Enemy who is the father of lies who seeks to deceive the whole world.

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—“Prometheus,” for sci-fi film fan is a feast because of the great background and special effects and (in 3D) the enormity of space and environment. For the Christian there are morally offensive scenes and dialogues. For an average film fan, this film has lot of unanswered questions, while Ridley Scott said, “It’s a prequel for myself!” the original fans of Aliens and other works of the director might have mixed feelings for the film. Most of my friends considered it average, given the big budget movie and special effects, yet holes in the plot made it go down on the rating scale.

There are some good Christian symbolism, and the lead character is clinging to her cross, and a robot comments: “… even after all this, you are keeping your faith!” There is a question of the mysterious “engineers,” the makers of mankind; it might be offensive to some Christians, but the question is rebutted when questioning “who created the engineers”—giving indication for a Creator. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Cyril Thomas, age 32 (United Kingdom)
Positive—I’m a born again Christian and a sci-fi nut. As far as this movie’s special FX, they were really outstanding. It is worth seeing just for the FX. The story line was interesting and kept me pretty much on the edge of my seat. I don’t think there were many lose ends. I’ve seen all the other alien movies, and this is the prequel to the first Alien movie. It has a hard R rating for graphic violence and horror. I noticed a father and a tween son in the theater, wouldn’t recommend it for kids/teens, at all. The Christian theme was very (lite), but was refreshing in this type of movie. Searching for God in all the wrong places… so to speak.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Anthony Mathews, age 53 (USA)
PositiveGen. 3:15
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Thom, age 35 (Canada)
Positive—I see a lot of Christian allegory and symbolism within this science fiction film. Apparently, the director—Ridley Scott’s original title for the film was “Paradise,” based on Milton’s epic poem, “Paradise Lost” about the fall of humanity. Scott, was also influenced, as he has stated, by Von Däniken’s Chariot of the God’s, ancient astronauts hypothesis, but there are various religious themes, as well, particularly the motif of sacrifice that give the movie some moral weight. I think it’s pretty inspiring to see a science fiction film in this day in age even offer the idea of “creation” as a possibility of the source of human origins…
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
Soren, age 28 (USA)
Positive—While many philosophical views are presented in “Prometheus,” one is, in fact, Christianity. The main character wears a cross around her neck and continues to hold her faith even after their discoveries. It is unrealistic to hold an unbelieving world to our standards, expecting secular movies to present correct theology. It is completely realistic, however, to hope that an unbelieving world presents questions about life and creation. It is our jobs as Christians to take the opportunity given to us. We can capture culture and engage others in valuable discussions about creation, nihilism, and even luciferism. Not only should we do this, but we should be thankful that a film that doesn’t agree with our way of thinking still gives us opportunities to share our faith. Our ability to find redemptive qualities and dialog is what an unbelieving world will find completely believable.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Daniel Thompson, age 28 (USA)
Positive—Easy to watch, enjoy the frights and very sympathetic characters. The message of self-sacrifice for others is what “Prometheus” is all about. Adult Christians should see this film, if they have free time and an open mind. Keep in mind, it is trying to use “the scary film” to try and explore a message for a wider audience. It explores how people work together, when they seek to find explanations. …
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Sarah Gellybene, age 43 (USA)
Positive—This movie was excellent. I love sci-fi films and movies that drive the suspense through the roof. Michael Fassbender was superb in his role as David the android. This movie is definitely not for kids. Yes, it’s really “lite” for an R rating, but the reason it got such a rating was because of the overall creepiness of the film, which gave me more chills than the first “Alien” film.

And, yes, this film does bring up the idea that we were created by an alien race. I know a lot of Christians, including some in the negative section below, are flipping out that this is “anti-christian” and supports the New Age movement. But, remember, this is the work of science fiction, the work of one man’s imagination. This is not Ridley Scott’s attempt at trying to endorse the New Age movement, or to start a new religion and preach a false doctrine. This is a fictional journey with fictional characters and fictional origin theories of humanity designed for entertainment: Science fiction. Therefore, we need to treat it as such. So if you don’t mind watching a movie that will make your girlfriend scream and cling to your arm with her nails in your skin, then, by all means, have a good time.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Zac, age 19 (USA)
Positive—Excellent film that exceeded my expectations. Wonderful performances from Rapace and Fassbender—whose android perfectly (and purposely) apes Peter O'Toole’s performance from “Lawrence of Arabia.” While the underlying principles and pseudo-philosophy are limp to us, this is daring, ball of fire fundamentalism to Hollywood types. Rapace’s character’s dogged determination to retain her Christianized faith in the face of the evil of her shipmates and the ever more apparent evil and violence of their “creators” is the linchpin of the film and moves the film beyond summer blockbuster status. It is an entertaining and thought provoking film for adults that can overlook the objectionable content.

Perhaps I have become cynical, but I am always surprised that people are surprised and outraged when Hollywood does not produce vacation Bible school material. FWIW, Hollywood has been venal and immoral from its inception, it has simply moved into the activist stage.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Andrew, age 35 (USA)
Positive—One of the most spectacular sci-fis I have seen. Equal parts terrifying and awe-inspiring, the film is as intense as it is beautiful. Some criticize it for apparent plot holes, but most of those can be rationally explained away. Others criticize it for not answering its many questions, but that’s not the point. Ridley Scott has only just begun this journey into a new alien universe, and both he and the audience will become more familiar with it in the sequels to follow. Michael Fassbender turns in an Oscar-worthy performance as David, a rebellious android who is struggling to find meaning in his existence. The scope is incredible, the implications are terrifying, and the conclusions are just open-ended enough to keep me wanting more while also satisfying me each time I watch.

Almost flawless as a film, “Prometheus” stands out as one of Ridley Scott’s greatest achievements, and I can’t wait for the follow-ups. The only word of caution is concerned with the violence, which, at times, becomes almost sickeningly intense.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Joseph Hughey, age 19 (USA)
Neutral
Neutral—I am going with “Neutral,” bordering on “Negative”. Setting aside the moral qualities (or lack) and filmmaking qualities that some enjoyed-I found the movie completely boring! Poor dialog, no passion in the acting, the trailer tells you the story, so it is immensely predictable. Bloody, yes. Aliens ALWAYS eat humans-who knew? No nudity, language could have given it a PG-13 rating. It is just not worth the time. I spoke with the employees at the theater who had seen it—they said since opening night attendance has been in a free fall. Lousy explanation as to where aliens came from-all the different types! Just don’t bother…
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Dorell Proshek, age over 50 (USA)
Neutral—Let’s start with the good. It had AMAZING acting performances, specifically from Fassbender and Rapace (the other cast was good, too), good script, and graphics. The movie was a little slow, at first, but do-able, it had some holes, and the ending could have been better. As far as bad content, there is a sexual scene implied, but nothing shown and some language, but not as bad as most PG-13 films. The violence was pretty graphic, so I wouldn’t see it if you can’t stomach gore. Overall, it was a good film. Not a great one.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
Aliya Mcreynolds, age 15 (USA)
Neutral—The idea that this film contains any anti-Christianity is quite frankly absurd. There is nothing in this film that is anti-Christ, the most important thing about Christ, which is the life he lived and the doctrine it taught us, is not even considered; the film is entertaining as a spectacle, philosophically it is utterly void; the dialogue is typical blockbuster fare and offers almost nothing to the debate it proposes to enter.

I enjoyed the film because the special effects are excellent and the pace is superb, but where Christ is concerned, it is almost entirely irrelevant. Now, there is a Christian subtext, but it does not touch on any of the actual teachings of Christ, it ponders his self-sacrifice (a theme throughout) but it is Christ’s life, not his death, that should ultimately matter to Christians; unconditional forgiveness, loving our enemies, renouncing riches and oaths and the casting of stones, loving and not judging one another, turning the other cheek, the rain falling upon the just and the unjust after all, etc., etc. This movie questions none of that, it does not even consider it. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
TJ, age 22 (United Kingdom)
Negative
Negative—These comments are not for those who want to know about the film’s contents, it is a comment about the underpinnings of the thoughts and philosophies in the minds of the film’s creators and, by extension, in all who are unsaved. I doubt really that listing the number of expletives in a film is of the greatest importance, there are larger issues to be noticed and should be discussed, also. I would state that the utter hopelessness of humankind and the gross distortion in humans of what good and evil are what is in question—and of much greater importance.

Also, the reasons seeking God is the unique answer should enter the issue. The resultant choices the unregenerated person makes followed then by the abominations that produce the horrid consequences of an unrepentant species are what make this film—or any other human fabrication—fall flat in the eye of our loving God. It’s the reason the sacrifice of Christ is unique among all fabricated religions and why only the creator can save. Only He is good, and love can only be found through Him. No human crafted religion contains those basics.

The fact that the movie is only another attempt by people to “find” their beginnings leading to ever more searches that don’t find any satisfactory answer is quite telling. “I want to find me” not “We must find God, even if it means we are not the definition of good, but may be the definition of hopelessness”. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Bob Maclean, age 63 (USA)
Negative—I will not review the film, but I did want to warn Christians on the spiritual content of the film which is not only un-Christian, but anti-Christian. Ridley Scott (a self professed agnostic) has created perhaps the most grand mixture of nihilism, new age myth, and Luciferism ever made. The obvious slap at Biblical creationism is not even the tip of the iceberg. SPOILERS WILL FOLLOW. In this film mankind is discovered to have been “created” by an alien race which later decided to exterminate us (unsuccessfully).

The New Age myth that we were created by aliens is heavy laden here, but it is mixed with an equal measure of nihilism (the doctrine that life is meaningless) and luciferism (the doctrine that Satan is an epic hero fighting against an unloving Creator). One of the lead characters dies saying “there is nothing,” to which the android responds, “I know.”

This same android plotted the death of his “Creator” because he wants to be free, saying “don’t we all want our parents to die?” By the end of the film we learn that our “creators” (aliens—not God) wanted to destroy their creation, and therefore our revenge upon the creators is justified. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Dr. David, age Old-ish (USA)
Negative—I agree with Dr. David, age Old-ish (USA)’s observations to the movie.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
John C, age 41 (USA)
Negative—I’m going to avoid trying to compare this movie to any kind of active intent to undermine Christianity. It’s a film. I don’t believe Ridley Scott set out to destroy Christianity with this movie. In fact, the main character has the appearance of a Christian… down to her need to have the cross close to her. In fact, the notion of “sacrifice for the sake of others” is pretty dominant in this film, from the opening scene to the climax near the end.

My criticisms of the movie are more elementary than that. Having seen the movie, I believe it suffers from a few problems. 1. The pacing is all off. What made the original “Alien” so memorable was the slow, deliberate, suspenseful pacing. The long, slow walks down a darkened corridor were nerve-wracking… even if nothing happened at the end. While there were a few attempts to recreate this, it was more shock horror than actual suspense/horror. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Kevin, age 42 (USA)
Negative—This movie is HORRIBLE. Just no. Go out to eat or do something that is actually worth your time.
My Ratings: Moral rating: / Moviemaking quality: ½
J. (USA)
Negative—This movie just wasn’t very good. From a story perspective, the movie seemed very confused as to which direction it wanted to go. If you have seen the original Alien(s) movies, there seems to be a lack of consistency with the originals. The effects were great. The best effects are the ones you don’t notice, and I actually forgot throughout the movie that the planet and everything on it was computer generated.

From a biblical perspective, I’m not sure why a Christian would vote with their money to see a film that offers such a dismal view of our worth/purpose as human beings. More importantly, the flippant way our creator (or lack thereof) is portrayed.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Jason, age 38 (USA)
Negative—I liked the original “Aliens,” but this was not what I expected. Slow start and only barely picked up, at the end. Dumb describes how it ended. Very disappointed that Ridley Scott directed this movie. I never comment on movies, but had to on this, because I was so let down. Several people that went with me said the same thing… this was a waste of money. I expected the plot to be non Christian, but at least one character through it all still believed—but it was still weak.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 1
Chris, age 45 (USA)
Negative—The film “Prometheus” promotes lies about the Creator Elohim by even suggesting that the main protagonist, and loosely depicted as a Christian, Elizabeth Shaw, is in any way seeking after her Creator. The cross Elizabeth wears around her neck means that she is a Christian about as much as a mass-murderer wearing a Buddha statue around their neck. Not that Buddha is good, but doing EXACTLY what a teacher says not to do is indicative of the ethos surrounding “Prometheus.”

The film butchers the representation of the Biblical God in several ways. Elizabeth truly does believe that these aliens are her creators, despite several ways in which they differ from the Biblical Creator, thereby becoming a blasphemer who sticks to her guns near the end of the film about these beings being divine in some sense. Let’s take a closer look at these aliens: Things they share in common with the Elohim of the Bible. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: none
Luke Spink, age 31 (USA)
Comments from young people
Positive—…this is definitely not a movie for younger children. Make sure they won’t be coming in the room when you watch this. It’s not as graphic or disturbing as the Alien/Predator movies, but it would definitely be to a younger child. Okay, I’m writing this as I watch it, so if some things seem rather out of place, I apologize. …Prometheus is a ship that has set out with the intention of finding who created us. There are two scientists on board who believe that ancient drawings they have discovered are an invitation from the gods to come find them. They are approximately a half billion miles away from Earth by the time they arrive at the planet they believe the gods dwell on. Upon entry of the atmosphere, they almost instantly (or so it seems) notice a “pyramid” with what appear to be roads. They land and enter the “pyramid”

After some exploration, they find a decapitated body that has apparently been there for several thousand years. The head appears to be on other side of a door. This is where two members of the party split off and head back to the ship. Upon opening the door, they find the head, as well as lots of small cylindrical vases. There is a storm, so they’re forced to head back to Prometheus. They gather the head and rush back to the ship. Another character picks up one of the vases and sneaks it back onto Prometheus. From here, I can’t tell much without giving important details/spoilers away. Sorry. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Fyzix, age 17 (USA)

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