Iffy for 16+
New Alien movie has strong themes, violence.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Prometheus is a science fiction/horror movie that's somewhat related to director Ridley Scott's original Alien; it's not as creepy as that film, but it often feels more harrowing and intense. There's some intense monster violence -- mainly attacks, with humans getting torn open or burned. There's also blood and many dead bodies, plus guns, shooting, and flamethrowers. Characters are shown in the beginning stages of sex, and other characters talk about sex. Language is fairly strong, including one use of "f--k," several "s--t"s, and other words. Adult characters are shown drinking socially (or smoking cigars), and one is shown drinking too much.
- Families can talk about Prometheus' violence. How does it relate to the creating/destroying themes? Is any of the violence gratuitous, or is it necessary to the story?
- Is the movie scary? Are the actions scarier than the ideas? Is the movie scarier or less scary than the previous Alien movies?
- How strong is our impulse to create? Is it stronger than our impulse to destroy?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie asks all kinds of big questions. Who created us? Who created the creator? What's the difference between creating and destroying? Some of the answers are rather cynical, but others illustrate the general hope, empathy, sacrifice, and goodwill of human beings.
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Role models: Most of the characters are deeply flawed -- thinking selfishly, drinking, or engaging in casual sex. They seem rather short-sighted at times, failing to consider long-term consequences. But many of them are also strong, brave, and smart, and some of the strongest characters are the women.
What to watch for
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Violence: Gory monster violence, with blood and dead humans. In the most harrowing sequence, a woman finds that she has an alien fetus inside her, and she climbs into a medical chamber for emergency surgery. The bloody "baby" alien is removed from her via a very bloody C-section, and she's stitched back up again. In another sequence, characters are brutally attacked by an alien that eventually crawls inside one's body. Otherwise, an alien head explodes, an infected human is set on fire (alien bodies are also burned), a creature breaks a man's arm, and there's general fighting and chaos, including guns/shooting, and flamethrowers. Also, a little girl talks about death with her father. Aliens' bodies mutate and dissolve in a somewhat graphic fashion when they drink a particular substance.
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Sex: No nudity, but a man and a woman are shown beginning to have sex in their quarters. They kiss and start to remove their clothing. Later, a man and a woman agree to have sex, but it's not shown. A female character is shown to be pregnant with an alien and is seen running around in just underwear.
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Language: "F--k" is used once, as well as several uses of "s--t." Other words include "bastard," "piss," "hell," "damn," "son of a bitch," "laid," "bugger," and "goddamn," plus "oh my God" and "Jesus Christ."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: One character gets very drunk as a response to bad news. Many of the characters are shown drinking hard liquor (vodka, whisky, etc.) socially at some point. One character smokes a cigar; in another scene, a character smokes an unidentified substance that makes him loopy/happy. Another takes necessary injections of painkillers.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
wholly absolutely completely satisfying... by oryx333
Prometheus does what all great science fiction films should do; it stays with you long after it has ended. It stayed with me so much that it merited watching it twice. While the entire cast is lovely, David and Dr. Elizabeth Shaw are the head and the heart of the story. Fassbender plays David with such brilliance that through a look or the way he delivers a line, you know exactly what is going through David?s mind. Is David lesser than humans because he doesn?t have a ?soul?? Or is he better? Dr. Shaw brings forth questions of faith and belief, even in the face of answers that rock her very foundation. As for her much talked gory scene, I?ll just say she has got the makings of a heroine. I?m interested how her character will develop in any sequels. The sets are magnificent. The scenery in Iceland is breath taking and otherworldly. It is good to know that wild, primordial places still exist. It is wonderful to know that visionary, thought-provoking directors still exist.
1
This was the worst movie I've seen all year! by TheDivaCountess
This movie was a waste of Charlize Theron's talent and my time. Ridley Scott was my favorite director until now. This movie makes Alien 3 look like a good movie. These were the dumbest scientist I've ever seen. I am going to touch everything and smell everything and remove my space helmet and go out on an unknown planet just before dark. It was just RIDICULOUS!!! I am unable to suspend belief that much. Just a poorly written unbelievable script. The characters were SO stupid that I didn't care when they were killed.
5
A Masterpiece Of Cinema Destined To Become Legend. by Alon Patterson
When Ridley Scott makes an original movie, a sci-fi most especially, the audience is in for a really amazing experience. That's exactly what they get here. Spellbinding to the point of numbness would be accurate in describing this masterpiece. Even if you've never seen another of the "Alien" franchise, it matters not one whit to the entertainment here, but for those who have, it's even better. I see hundreds of movies per year in theaters all around the world. It's what I do, so it takes a bit to impress me, especially since I pay my own way. Most often big budget movies basically purchase their acclaim by wowing the audience with expensive effects but that's about all they bring. Don't expect pandering like that in this film. Once or twice every few years a movie actually knocks my socks off and this is definitely one of those. See this. In fact, see this twice. It's that good. You definitely won't be disappointed.
2
Strong visuals, strong acting, weak script. by valleester
The plot took too long to develop, most of the characters were forgettable (with the noteable exception of Idris Elba's Captain Janek,) and there were a few loose ends that did not get tied up at the end of the film. On a positive note, the film gives you an idea of how the Nostromo bungled upon the derelict alien ship in the original Alien film and you get the first inklings of how shady the Weyland group is. Also, the sets were well put-together, the special effects were believable, and the acting was good despite the script. Though, none of the positives outweigh the weak dialogue and inelasticity of the character's personalities. I won't be excited to see another John Spaihts/Dale Lindelof film.
4
Great film. Don't go expecting 'Alien' by cootersbox
This movie is great. Anyone going into it expecting anything to do with 'Alien' & 'Aliens' will obviously dislike it. The film is an un-official prequel. Pre-quels do not cover what you already know. Just as the film preview says, it's about beginnings, the unknown.
1
Very slow with no action by kdgreen09
This movie was horrible I feel asleep during the first part of the movie. It did not make sense, It did not reference back to the Alien movie until the end. Basically, the movie was the worse I ever seen. Hands down a piece of trash
4
Interesting and Different Twist by SBritt
I really liked it but husband and girlfriends said it was okay-thought the storyline was a little too far out. Lot of good thought going into the making of this - great scenery in Iceland and awesome graphics. Waiting for another one to come out and see what it has to offer. Don't recommend kids even seeing.
2
Since when do space ships have hand-breaks!?!? AND WHY IS THERE A ZOMBIE??? by DarkPhysicist
If you're looking for big budget action and amazing special effects, this movie is definitely for you.
However, if you're looking for a cool science fiction story with some depth, interesting characters, and a compelling plot, avoid this garbage like the plague! The story has absolutely no point, it's just awful horror movie dribble disguised as science fiction just because it's in outer space. The story is illogical and filled with so many plot holes... the holes have holes. If you have half a brain and ignore the special effects, by the end of the movie you'll be sitting at the edge of your seat hoping that they will avoid yet another classic horror movie cliche... *spoiler alert*... YES, the giant falling space ship will crush the annoying b@#$ that you've come to hate throughout the movie. And YES, there will be a squishing noise!
1
not one like-able character in the whole movie by juan162
so sad- I wanted to like this and was so excited to go see it- but every single character was so annoying. Who cares if they all die?- not me.
1
If you get a free ticket give it to someone you don't like! by KennX
Wow. This was a horribly written movie. The scientists were all incredibly stupid. This is the Highlander 2 of Alien films. The acting was not good. Only two characters (the Pilot and the Android) were in any way interesting. It was NOT scary, suspenseful or funny. It WAS long, boring and very predictable. Filled with cliches that might have worked in the 1970's but barely then.