Prometheus Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Prometheus" is a masterclass in cinematic excellence. Shot using Red Epic cameras mounted on 3ality Technica Atom 3D rigs, Ridley Scott and cinematographer Dariusz Wolski utilize Pinewood Studio’s grand 007 lot. This allows exceptional control over lighting and set design, resulting in an image that is terrifically sharp and nearly noiseless at times. The film’s use of advanced Zeiss lenses combined with meticulous lighting manipulation renders detail so fine that textures of actors' faces, fabric, and set intricacies are consistently clear. The AVC Mpeg-4 transfer is flawless, with no visible compression issues or encode errors even in the most challenging scenes involving complex light dynamics and dust clouds.

The 3D Blu-ray presentation of "Prometheus" stands out as a pinnacle of current 3D technology. Scott’s decision to employ native 3D at better-than-4K resolution becomes evident through jaw-dropping, immersive visuals. The use of physical sets and vast outdoor locations enhances this effect, ensuring a natural and realistic depth perspective throughout. Though hand-held shots are rare, the carefully orchestrated crane shots and wide-angle views compensate beautifully, creating a panoramic visual feast. Importantly, the filmmakers managed to maintain brilliant imagery even in darker scenes, circumventing common issues like solarization and banding, often associated with other 3D films. The subdued color palette and deep contrasts are preserved authentically, making even the dimmest scenes rich in detail and devoid of film grain.

A noteworthy aspect of this Blu-ray is the way it cleverly achieves a seamless integration between live-action shots and CGI elements. The layered composition avoids the appearance of false layering, providing a coherent depth that enhances the viewing experience without any unnatural projection. Despite the preference for a wider IMAX frame by some viewers, the existing 2.40:1 aspect ratio maintains the high standard set by its theatrical predecessor. In summary, "Prometheus" on Blu-ray is an unparalleled visual experience that exceeds expectations both in 2D and particularly in its groundbreaking 3D execution.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track of "Prometheus" on Blu-ray represents an impeccable and immersive audio experience that demands high praise. This full 7.1 mix is rare, as many releases opt for the more common 5.1 format. The additional channels offer an expansive soundstage that brings the movie's atmospheric storytelling to life. From the onset, the track showcases powerful dynamics and a thrilling depth in bass, with the LFE channel diving into gut-wrenching 10 Hz territory. Auditory elements like the deep rumble of the alien ship’s engines and the visceral crashes of waterfalls establish an immersive environment. Every quiet whisper and booming crescendo is nuanced perfectly, ensuring both action sequences and dialogue are pristinely clear despite some natural variance in volume levels.

Throughout the film, the sound design remains lush and meticulously arranged, be it the eerie bleeps aboard the Prometheus or the violent clinks of a storm's silica dust. The orchestration by Marc Streitenfeld alternates masterfully between unease and grandeur, matching the film’s tension and emotional undertones. The precision in imaging is astonishing, particularly during scenes like the storm on LV-223, where sound effects traverse seamlessly from one side of the soundscape to the other, enveloping the viewer completely. Furthermore, dialogue remains consistently crisp and contextually adaptive, reflecting whether characters are onboard, in helmets, or amidst the pyramid's reverb.

For high-powered home theater systems, this track is pure demo material with perfect support for visual storytelling. While "Prometheus" truly shines on well-calibrated audio setups, it is worth noting that dynamic range management may be required for less capable systems to avoid distortion during intense sequences. For those equipped and ready, this Blu-ray promises an unforgettable auditory journey that's best enjoyed with volume settings turned up to fully appreciate its comprehensive sound design.

The Blu-ray extras of "Prometheus" offer an impressive array of content that significantly enhances the viewing experience. The extras disc is a treasure trove, featuring comprehensive behind-the-scenes featurettes, including “The Furious Gods” documentary that spans nearly four hours, supplemented by additional enhancement pods. Highlights include in-depth audio commentaries, addressing the intricate production aspects and thematic explorations by Ridley Scott and writers Spaihts and Lindelof. Deleted and alternate scenes provide further insight into the film’s narrative development, while the “Demons in the Dark” segment meticulously dissects the creation of the film’s iconic creatures. The package also contains various promotional materials and a mobile app for synchronized bonus content viewing. Navigation is intuitive, ensuring an accessible and streamlined user experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Furious Gods: A comprehensive making-of documentary.
• Audio Commentaries: Insights from Ridley Scott, John Spaihts, and Damon Lindelof.
• Deleted and Alternate Scenes: Nearly 37 minutes of deleted/extended/alternate scenes.
• Demons in the Dark: Focuses on the creation of the creatures.
• The Peter Weyland Files: Collection of promo videos.
• Enhancement Pods: Additional in-depth segments.
• Weyland Corp Archive: Galleries, pre-vis animatics, and marketing materials.

Ridley Scott’s Prometheus, a visually stunning film, serves as an ambitious yet polarizing entry into the Alien franchise. Gleaming with intricate production design, it leverages both practical effects and CGI to create an immersive experience reminiscent of classical sci-fi storytelling. The narrative explores profound existential themes, such as humanity's origins and the intersection of faith and science, although it doesn’t satisfy all the questions it raises. Scott’s direction ensures a captivating experience, blending sleek set designs with intense action sequences, whilst Michael Fassbender’s performance as the android David stands out as a highlight. His portrayal offers a nuanced juxtaposition of human emotion within a synthetic being, echoing the tensions explored in Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The film’s technical execution is exemplary. The visual clarity and detail in the Blu-ray presentation are top-tier, making it a reference-quality disc for home video enthusiasts. The 3D implementation, often a contentious point in modern filmmaking, is handled with subtlety and care here, enhancing the immersive qualities without overshadowing the film’s narrative drive. The sound design is equally impressive, providing a robust auditory experience that aligns seamlessly with its visual counterpart. The integration of music and sound effects intensifies the film's atmosphere, drawing viewers deeper into its speculative world.

Prometheus ultimately offers a rich viewing experience that excels technically and visually but may leave some audiences divided due to its ambiguous plot and character decisions that occasionally defy logical consistency. While it does not lock seamlessly into the Alien saga, it functions well both as a standalone feature and as a complementary piece, expanding the mythos with fresh inquiries. For fans and newcomers alike, this film provides a multifaceted journey worth exploring, even if its full artistic reach might be perceived differently across its audience base.

Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" arrives on Blu-ray with an impressive collection that elevates the film's already substantial qualities to exceptional heights. Encapsulated in a stellar audio-visual package, this release boasts a DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio track that orchestrates an immersive atmosphere, delivering crystal-clear dialogue and precisely imaged soundscapes. The surround channels are adeptly used, enhancing the narrative immersion and providing a thunderous sonic experience during climactic scenes. The flawless synchronization of the soundtrack with the visual elements is remarkable, effectively demonstrating the format’s capabilities and making this release quintessential demo material.

Visually, the 3D Blu-ray edition stuns with its sharp imagery and meticulous attention to detail. The transfer captures the grandeur of the film’s expansive sets, breathtaking landscapes, and intricate design. Complementing this are extensive special features – two commentary tracks, thirty-seven minutes of deleted scenes, and a comprehensive three-and-a-half-hour making-of documentary – offering profound insight into the film’s production. This wealth of content rivals that of monumental releases like the "Alien Anthology" and stands out as one of the most significant film releases of the year.

"So much of a film's reception comes down to the expectations of its audience, and Prometheus was perhaps unfairly saddled with the high hopes of Alien fans, who were looking forward to the be-all-end-all in interstellar terror. What they got instead was a pop-philosophical rumination on human origins, faith, and science, packaged inside a tense sci-fi plot that borrows the Alien universe but isn't necessarily beholden to the storytelling staples of the franchise. After so many sequels of diminishing quality—and let's not even talk about the Alien vs. Predator disasters—this prequel-of-sorts is exactly the kind of change that the series needed. Are there problems here? Absolutely, most relating to narrative convenience, potential plot holes, and a few too many characters. But don't listen to the haters; Prometheus is much better than the sum of its flaws. In a time when epic, high-concept science fiction films are few and much too far between, it stands as a monolithic achievement in scope and style. Those still disappointed by the lack of answers should be patient—a sequel is already in the works. Until then, we can all bide our time with this fantastic Blu-ray release, which features a stellar audio/video presentation and the most comprehensive collection of extras I've encountered since the Alien Anthology, including two commentary tracks, thirty-seven minutes of deleted scenes, a three-and-a-half hour making-of documentary, and much more. Expect to see this multi-disc, 3D edition of Prometheus on many Best Blu-ray Releases of 2012 lists. Our highest recommendation!"