Essential viewing for any fan of Alien, Ridley Scott’s new exploration of classic themes alludes to the director’s earlier film in both explicit and subtle ways, beginning with the slow appearance onscreen of the title, starting with two bars where Alien began with one, signaling that this comprises a second installment of a vision and a set of ideas with continuity.  As in Alien, a vessel on a commercial voyage runs afoul not only of unexpected surprises and evidences of life on arrival at a distant destination, but also the secrets being kept from the crew by their employers.  Prometheus is visually captivating and philosophically rich from start to finish, definitely a thinking person’s alien creature flick, and rewards repeated viewings.  Momentum builds irresistibly throughout, with unanswered questions maintaining constant tension and finally leaving the audience yearning for Prometheus 2: The New Batch.  Noomi Rapace’s presence greatly enhances the pleasantness factor of this effectively frightening and often highly revolting film.  Charlize Theron is also unnerving in her icy supporting role.  5 stars.  Highly recommended.

Ideological Content Analysis, meanwhile, indicates Prometheus is:

3. Pro-miscegenation.  The pungency of this aspect is mitigated somewhat by the observation that, from the standpoint of one interpretation, both of those who partake are punished in one way or another.  I also noticed a slyly mischievous segue that hadn’t occurred to me on the first viewing. Immediately after the scene of suggested miscegenation, one of the scientists, seeing menacing slime oozing out of alien canisters, wonders aloud, “What’s all this black stuff?”  Actually surprising that got left in.

2. Pro-choice, making a thrilling medical emergency out of a zany abortion.  (This is actually my favorite set piece and has to be seen.)

1. Antiwar.