Prospect

Modern science fiction films are, mostly, not really science fiction at all. Most of it is really space-fantasy, with laser cannons, explosions, space craft zipping around, fantastic monsters/aliens, etc. None of that is found in "Prospect." This film is grounded in a gritty reality that is extremely believable, more so than in any science fiction film I can remember seeing. In the novel world, stories that stick to some semblance of known scientific fact are known as "hard" sci-fi. Now, to be fair, there isn't a lot of science on display in "Prospect" - it's mostly action, but I will take what I can get! In case you can't tell, I've very much in favour of there being more films like this out there.

I very grudgingly rate this a 7 instead of an 8 or higher mostly for technical / production reasons, that are perhaps in turn due to budget compromises. Special effects, music, and perhaps a bit of the acting was a little b-movie at times. But I quickly got over it and was sucked into the story.

Also Star Wars writers take note: the main female character "Cee" is someone that the audience really roots for by the end of the film. Why? Because instead of being all knowing and all powerful right from the start, her character develops. Some of the characterization was a little lean, and I felt another 10 minutes of screen time devoted to fleshing out the father would have really helped the film, but these are minor nitpicks. Give us more films like this, please!

A minimalist sci-fi film, you're just thrown into it without an introduction to this future's world, but it isn't complicated so you catch on. Follows a girl and her dad. Not a lot of special effects, but even with the low budget it still had some beautiful scenery. Space and planets don't seem so alien like so it has familiar feel to it, even the technology doesn't seem far off. It feels like what would've happened if we properly figured out space travel in the 80's especially when you look at the marred tech; Space X has fancier ships just for a quick run to orbit present-day. It's not story or plot heavy but has good narration to keep you interested, wouldn't say it's slow paced but it's in no rush; could've easily been 30min longer or shorter.

Reminds me of a more recent movie, Vesper. They both tell a story of no consequence, based in a vast universe but focusing on only a small part of it. The events that occur, good or bad, won't change anything in the grand scheme of things so stakes are high only for the characters the story focuses on. Usually a story that would be a side plot, filler episode in a sci-fi series, or one off movie in an already established franchise. In a way the premise also reminds me of Gold.

It's definitely not a movie for everyone, especially those who look for the grandiose when it comes to sci-fi. It won't blow your mind away, doesn't leave a huge impression but I still think it's a nice, very little indie sci-fi film.

As you can see by the reviews posted so far, this little gem polarises the audience.

One share of the Reviews is 7-10, the other 1-3. Almost nothing in between.

Probably this his to to with the expections.

Well, if you're looking for some fast-paced space battle pew pew laser action this isn't the movie you want to watch. This isn't a movie about aliens or about high-tech spacecraft. It's a movie about a few people in a difficult situation.

Made using simple means but with love to the detail. Retro in the best sense. Slow but thrilling. Good acting.

To give away too much of the plot would be a shame. So just watch and enjoy. (Or don't watch if you only like movies with tons of explosions and lengthy chases.)

This isn't space battles, explosions, and flashy visual effects. Instead, it's a well-acted story about people, that happens to be set in an interplanetary context. Great aesthetic and prop design, an interesting mix of futuristic and retro.

Prospect is a slow burn of a film. It's the kind of film that asks for a viewer who is willing to appreciate the subtle but deft world-building and peculiarly literate dialog. This is not cheap-thrills scifi, but neither is it navel gazing pedantry. It's a clear story of an often tense struggle in a treacherous and foreign setting.

It is slow, but it is not a slog; on the contrary I found it to be very well-paced. We're never in one place very long, either literally or narratively.

All the acting is good to very good. The photography is excellent. The budget (~3mil) was used well and I found all the props, costumes and effects to be really quite convincing.

I'm glad I took a chance with this one. It paid off.