Prometheus Review Thread (Spoilers)

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by Fabiosugitani

This is my view of the "reason"

[Show spoiler]Until 2000 years ago, the Engineers were teaching us things and trying to make us grow like them, inviting us to their system as a goal for a good and advanced civilization. But long after they left Earth they probably came to check on us and realize that we creating war, destroing our planet and even thought we could be a threat in the future, so they decided to destroy us but something went wrong

Scott has told us that the reason for the decision to return to Earth and

[Show spoiler]destroy humanity was the killing (crucifying) of an Engineer emissary 2000 years before the Prometheus visits LV-223. As you say, something went wrong, preventing the Engineers from completing that mission. Up until that time, the emissaries were probably guiding cultural development of developing civilizations. Giving them the 'Ten Commandments', if you will. Tenets to live by, easily grasped by them.

The real questions, still unanswered, are:

[Show spoiler]What would our relationship with the Engineers be had we not crucified their emissary? What was the Engineer's ultimate objective for humanity? Were we bred to be hosts for xenomorphs? Was the desired endpoint of the Engineer's programmed evolution of mankind the 9 ft tall Engineer which may be the perfect host for the xenomorph? Is the xenomorph part of the natural lifecycle of the Engineer? Is it possible that the Prometheus movie got the R rating because of that torrid sex scene between the Engineer and the Trilobite. Pretty rough foreplay if that's the case.

[avecha]

Originally Posted by Dead By Shaun

For myself, there's a difference between the movies that I love and movies I enjoy. The movies that I love stay with me long after my initial viewing experience and I savor pondering the many ideas and themes that are presented. Prometheus is definitely one of those films for me.

I found that bit of information in the Time interview interesting because it was presented by the film's scriptwriter, Damon Lindelof, and it was an idea that I hadn't really considered before, though in hindsight it seems fairly obvious.

This!!

[Trekkie313]

Saw it in 3D yesterday, it looked spectacular! Sure the film screws around a bit too much with the origins of the Space Jockeys, but I liked it miles better than the last 3 Alien movies!

[Show spoiler]The Engineers/Space Jockeys are clearly the band, Right Said Fred!
I'm too sexy for the Earth
too sexy for the Earth
Think I'll de-stroy it first!

[Monk360]

[Show spoiler]

[Monkey]

I really hope there is a much more satisfying extended cut with 20 minutes or even better, an hour more.

[Monk360]

Originally Posted by Monkey

I really hope there is a much more satisfying extended cut with 20 minutes or even better, an hour more.

Agreed. However, as with Aliens, I have a feeling that I'll end up preferring the theatrical cut overall. As much as I look forward to extra/expanded scenes...the more times I see Prometheus in theaters, the more I enjoy the cut...especially with regards to pacing. Much like the teasers/trailer...the film has a solid beat that gradually quickens toward the end (IMO).

[greg_achen]

Originally Posted by Dead By Shaun

I found this revealing tidbit rather interesting...

[Show spoiler]

Wow...I really hadn't given that any consideration before...it certainly deepens his motivations as to why he chose to infect Dr. Holloway with the black goo as opposed to anyone else in the crew. Obviously David was still following his prime directive from Weyland, to "try harder," but as to his decision on who he ultimately chooses as his test subject, well, perhaps this points to some sort of misguided or misdirected jealousy towards the relationship he views between Dr. Holloway and Dr. Elizabeth Shaw...as if Dr. Holloway wasn't good enough for her...hmm, the plot thickens!

I hadn't even thought of that! That adds another layer to the story and makes David even creepier. It does make his motives in choosing

[Show spoiler]Holloway as the the test subject highly suspect. In fact, I question a lot of his motives in the movie. He was more or less able to read the hieroglyphics and understand the alien language. I think it is a safe bet that he knows more about the Engineers and their intentions than he is volunteering. Two years is a long time to be left alone. Just what was David thinking during those two years and did it lead to a moment of self actualization and a desire to be independent?

I really hope we get a sequel.

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by Monk360

Agreed. However, as with Aliens, I have a feeling that I'll end up preferring the theatrical cut overall. As much as I look forward to extra/expanded scenes...the more times I see Prometheus in theaters, the more I enjoy the cut...especially with regards to pacing. Much like the teasers/trailer...the film has a solid beat that gradually quickens toward the end (IMO).

Fully agreed on the pace. Leaves me wanting much more. I really wish the Engineer had more screen time.

[InCali]

Originally Posted by Monk360

[Show spoiler]

Looks like the genealogy appendix at the end of the Lord of the Rings only the names are funnier....

[InCali]

Originally Posted by greg_achen

I hadn't even thought of that! That adds another layer to the story and makes David even creepier. It does make his motives in choosing

[Show spoiler]Holloway as the the test subject highly suspect. In fact, I question a lot of his motives in the movie. He was more or less able to read the hieroglyphics and understand the alien language. I think it is a safe bet that he knows more about the Engineers and their intentions than he is volunteering. Two years is a long time to be left alone. Just what was David thinking during those two years and did it lead to a moment of self actualization and a desire to be independent?

I really hope we get a sequel.

I hadn't really thought of that either. If this turns out to be the case, it really does make the movie (at least parts of it) hang together better. It's like I was saying before; I think there are too many unanswered questions to say for sure whether or not we've got "plot holes" or shoddy writing (my sarcasm notwithstanding). Let's see the sequel and we'll find out what follows.

[Monk360]

Originally Posted by Monkey

Leaves me wanting much more. I really wish the Engineer had more screen time.

This is where the Art of the Film helps to fill that void.

Great book.

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by Monk360

This is where the Art of the Film helps to fill that void.

Great book.

I've watched the video review of the art book. Frankly I shouldn't have to buy a book to fill a void the movie (that I spent $18 on) shouldn't have left. I'm not saying it isn't cool, it looks nice and I'd probably buy if I felt more satisfied with the movie (they included more concepts from the art book into the actual movie).

[Monkey]

Settled on 3 stars. Went into it expecting to give it at least 4 stars (based on the trailers.... which show way too much of the movie).

[Mavrick]

according to Dr. Anil Biltoo, the film’s official translator and linguistics consultant, David did

[Show spoiler]as he was asked, translating his words as follows: “This man is here because he does not want to die. He believes you can give him more life.”

Well thats boring! I wanted him to be evil.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

according to Dr. Anil Biltoo, the film’s official translator and linguistics consultant, David did

[Show spoiler]as he was asked, translating his words as follows: “This man is here because he does not want to die. He believes you can give him more life.”

Well thats boring! I wanted him to be evil.

Apparently it was pulled out of a larger conversation with

[Show spoiler]the Engineer (probably because Ridley Scott said "the engineer needs more integrity, he can't get taken down by a girl with an axe, or talk with some silly robot, they're supposed to be gods, we'll have them do as little as possible"). But yeah, I was sort of hoping that David would of said something to peeve the Engineer off a little more

[Nikka488]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

according to Dr. Anil Biltoo, the film’s official translator and linguistics consultant, David did

[Show spoiler]as he was asked, translating his words as follows: “This man is here because he does not want to die. He believes you can give him more life.”

Well thats boring! I wanted him to be evil.

If you think of it in the context of the engineers being our makers, who gave us

[Show spoiler]the gift of life. Asking for more could be construed as being selfish/rude. Additionally having someone else ask for you, instead of learning the language and asking yourself could also be seen as an insult. It's not like David said hello, told him they followed their map and were here to learn about their makers. He just dumped what Weyland wanted right away.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

according to Dr. Anil Biltoo, the film’s official translator and linguistics consultant, David did

[Show spoiler]as he was asked, translating his words as follows: “This man is here because he does not want to die. He believes you can give him more life.”

Well, that explains why

[Show spoiler]the engineer "bomber pilot" was pissed.

That is pretty much counter to their cultural beliefs about sacrifice to recycle and create life anew. Weyland represented the opposite of that.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Monk360

[Show spoiler]

That is a pretty awesome diagram! It really lays out the path of everything clearly.

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by Dead By Shaun

I found this revealing tidbit rather interesting...

[Show spoiler]

Wow...I really hadn't given that any consideration before...it certainly deepens his motivations as to why he chose to infect Dr. Holloway with the black goo as opposed to anyone else in the crew. Obviously David was still following his prime directive from Weyland, to "try harder," but as to his decision on who he ultimately chooses as his test subject, well, perhaps this points to some sort of misguided or misdirected jealousy towards the relationship he views between Dr. Holloway and Dr. Elizabeth Shaw...as if Dr. Holloway wasn't good enough for her...hmm, the plot thickens!

Originally Posted by greg_achen

I hadn't even thought of that! That adds another layer to the story and makes David even creepier. It does make his motives in choosing

[Show spoiler]Holloway as the the test subject highly suspect. In fact, I question a lot of his motives in the movie. He was more or less able to read the hieroglyphics and understand the alien language. I think it is a safe bet that he knows more about the Engineers and their intentions than he is volunteering. Two years is a long time to be left alone. Just what was David thinking during those two years and did it lead to a moment of self actualization and a desire to be independent?

I really hope we get a sequel.

David isn't capable of true emotion. His facial expressions make him appear to be, but he isn't. To truly understand David's responses you need to read this: http://www.weylandindustries.com/david


An excerpt: Heart and Soul

David 8 can record, process, understand and express many complex emotions, but he will never know true human feelings such as love, grief and compassion.

So, jealousy is out of the question.

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by BouCoupDinkyDau

Well, that explains why

[Show spoiler]the engineer "bomber pilot" was pissed.

That is pretty much counter to their cultural beliefs about sacrifice to recycle and create life anew. Weyland represented the opposite of that.

Exactly. You and I are on the same page regarding the Engineer's response to Weyland's request.