The first critic reviews of Prometheus are in

With PROMETHEUS beginning to open internationally, the first critic reviews of the movie are coming in. So far, the consensus is on the more positive side but fall short of the masterpiece we all expect it to be. Granted, these are the critics and not the fans, so per usual take these with a grain of salt. You, my fellow Schmoes, are the ultimate critics.

“Ridley Scott has counter-evolved his 1979 classic Alien into something more grandiose, more elaborate – but less interesting. In place of scariness there is wonderment; in place of tension there is hugely ambitious design; in place of unforgettable shocks there are reminders of the original’s unforgettable shocks. There are also some shrewd and witty touches, and one terrifically creepy performance from Michael Fassbender, who steals the film with the chilling, parasitic relentlessness of that first gut-bound alien.” Peter Bradshaw (The Guardian)

“There’s entirely too much to process in a first viewing of Ridley Scott’s Prometheus — some of it good, some of it great, almost all of it mental. This elaborate science fiction freakout takes gradual shape as a hot, writhing chop suey of ideas, not all of which necessarily belong in the same pot. Watching Scott slice and dice the ingredients — and much of his cast, to boot — is thrilling one minute, faintly deflating the next.” Tim Robey (The Daily Telegraph)

“Ridley Scott’s first sci-fi since Blade Runner remains earthbound in narrative terms, forever hinting at the existence of a higher intelligence without evincing much of its own. Yet a key difference between this film and its predecessor is one of volume. Incongruously backed by an orchestral surge of a score, the film conspicuously lacks the long, drawn-out silences and sense of menace in close quarters that made Alien so elegantly unnerving. Prometheus is one chatty vessel, populated by stock wise-guy types who spout tired one-liners when they’re not either cynically debunking or earnestly defending belief in a superior power.” Justin Chang (Variety)

“A visual feast of a 3D sci-fi movie… Technically, Prometheus is magnificent. Shot in 3D but without the director taking the process into account in his conceptions or execution, the film absorbs and uses the process seamlessly…[This is] a film that caters too much to imagined audience expectations, when a little more adventurous thought might have taken it to some excitingly unsuspected destinations.” Todd McCarthy (The Hollywood Reporter)

“Prometheus should thrill, challenge and provoke audiences ready for [Scott’s] signature brand of intelligent and visceral film-making. The effects are brilliantly woven into Scott’s film, with cinematographer Dariusz Wolksi delivering some beautiful moments… A Ridley Scott film is always perfectly shot, intelligently edited and easy on the eye, and Prometheus is no different.” Mark Adams (Screen Daily)

“Prometheus is, um, absolutely nuts. Not perfect by a stretch but there are ideas here you wouldn’t expect a studio to touch with a 10ft pole.” Robbie Collin (The Daily Telegraph)

“Prometheus is the type of big budget sci-fi that studios rarely make. Extremely well done. Don’t read reviews. Just go see it.” Steven Weintraub (Collider)

Rotten Tomatoes currently has the film at an 89% positive rating. AP Galaxy currently has it at 78% positive. MetaCritic has the film at a 63% ratiing.

I am not one to base my movies off of what the critics say. I base them off of my perception of the movie and those of my closest friends. So, all I can see here are good things about the movie. I am still incredibly psyched to see PROMETHEUS when it opens next week.

What about you? Do these critics alter your perception of the movie for better or worse (or not at all)?