Prometheus 3D

In this prequel to Alien, director Ridley Scott explores new angles in his monster universe via eye-popping 3-D visuals and intense storytelling. After scientists discover cave-drawings that appear to show superior alien intelligence inviting us for a visit, an exploratory space mission travels to a distant galaxy in search of our origins. What they find involves tentacles, slime, self-administered gnarly operations and general despair. Noomi Rapace takes over as the female heroine, with Charlize Theron along for the ride as a mysterious mission commander. Best of all is Michael Fassbender as David, a strange android who models himself after Peter O’Toole. Scott proves that he is still a master of the sci-fi genre, which he hadn’t visited since his 1982 Blade Runner. (He’s reportedly working on a sequel to that classic as well.) The ending paves the way for another possible chapter—a chapter I sincerely hope Scott is involved in.