Prometheus is gorgeous in 4k, and is the perfect companion film to pick up when picking up the newest film in the franchise!
“Legendary director Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner) returns to his sci-fi origins in this epic adventure bursting with spectacular action and mind-blowing visual effects. A team of scientists and explorers travels to the darkest corners of the universe searching for the origins of human life. Instead they find a dark, twisted world that hides a terrifying threat capable of destroying them…and all mankind!”
Prometheus is one of those films you either love or you hate. I remember when it came out, and like many others, was confused by the marketing of the film. Was this Ridley’s return to the Alien franchise? It never seemed like anyone got a straight answer. While it had a lot of the traditional references to the franchise, the Weyland Corporation, creatures that burst from your chest, there were also hints that Ridley Scott wanted to do something a bit different with the direction of the film, changing things ever so slightly that they don’t fit neatly in with the canon of the franchise.
Whether or not you choose to view the film independently from the rest, or a prequel to the franchise, in both ways I believe it succeeds at what it sets out to do. Although the genre leans heavy in the science fiction category, and Ridley Scott’s Alien historically leans toward horror, the film definitely stands on its own, balancing quite well both genres. When it does go full out horror (i.e. surgical bay scene), it is masterfully done, ensuring it will be a scene you remember long after you’ve watched the film.
Prometheus has a strong story, with themes of creation that transcends the history of mankind. These themes can be relied on a bit too heavily at times, especially with the duality of Elizabeth Shaw’s faith and her scientific beliefs which her husband believes conflict with one another. Whether it’s a question of faith of creation, or David struggling with the disdain his creator shows him, it drives the direction of the story, but does so a bit heavy handed. Because this is the focus, we aren’t given a lot of information on the Engineers, their reasoning for anything, creation or their planned destruction, which can definitely be a bit confusing and kind of a letdown.
Despite a few weaknesses in the film, overall, I have always found Prometheus to be an intelligent, entertaining science fiction film. This 4k release enhances the absolute stunning beauty of the film, and makes for a perfect companion when picking up Alien: Covenant in 4k as well.
Video
Prometheus is presented in 4k Ultra HD 2160p Widescreen 2.40:1. The transfer is absolutely stunning. The 1080p version was always breathtaking in its scope, with impressive scenes of alien planets, space, and other futuristic high-tech settings. These are enhanced tremendously with the HDR, giving the film a crystal clear look with intense colors that will leave you in awe.
There aren’t many films I would upgrade from Blu-Ray to 4k straight away, but Prometheus is one of them, based solely on the stunning cinematography and visuals that the film offers. Often times I find the ‘wow factor’ of the beauty 4k offers initially is lost once you become invested in the film. For Prometheus, I was continually impressed by each scene.
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1. The track sounds incredible, with a great balance between the surrounds and center channel, ensuring you’ll be able to hear the dialogue among some of the more intense scenes. Though there aren’t many of these scenes until the third act, the balance is still impressive when it comes to the score as well, which is also eerily beautiful at times.
Special Features
The only downfall to 4k in its infancy is the trend to only focus on the visual and audio components of the set. Although I admit that is the point, and one of the most important factors, sometimes you just need a bit more to overcome that tipping point in deciding whether or not you should upgrade. For most of these sets, you get the previous Blu-Ray disc slapped on along with it, providing the exact same extras as before. Does this warrant paying sometimes double the price of Blu-Ray to get a product that contains nothing new? Ultimately, you’ll be the judge for that, but this is always a disappointment for me. So, as for the extras, which are exactly the same on the Blu-Ray set, you’re going to see:
- Prometheus in High Definition
- 2 Audio Commentaries by Director/Producer Ridley Scott, and by Writers Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof
- The Peter Weyland Files
- Deleted and Alternate Scenes – Including Alternate Beginning and Ending
Ultimately, the 4k release of Prometheus that succeeds Alien: Covenant makes for a great companion film to pick up to view with the stunning HDR. With the lack of anything new, I wish it would have been a bit cheaper, but all in good time.
