Prometheus

Ridley Scott's film shares much of its DNA with his 1979 classic Alien, though it's more of a precursor than a prequel to that genre landmark. In the latter half of the 21st century, a spacecraft with a crew including idealistic archaeologists (Noomi Rapace, Logan Marshall-Green), seasoned star voyagers (Charlize Theron, Idris Elba) and a super-computer android (Michael Fassbender) sets out to find an extraterrestrial race that may hold the key to the origins of man. However, upon landing on a faraway planet, other motives for the mission begin to emerge, while the visitors receive an unexpected and shocking welcome. All the elements are in place for a rattling space opera, but Scott also explores themes of identity and self-worth that run through films like Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise and Gladiator, and asks profound questions about creation and mortality. The thrilling, edge-of-the-seat story is the movie's beating heart, though, and the well-paced and perfectly structured plot are matched by solid performances and powerfully arresting visuals.