Prometheus Review Thread (Spoilers)

[ArrestedDevelopment]

Originally Posted by Blu Myers

I think the major issue I constantly hear about is the biologist. I believe people of a certain profession CAN get curious about new species...even dangerously curious (Steve Irwin anyone?). And the world is full of idiots, so it's plausible people.

but the whole movie was fully of ONLY idiots. Characters made idiotic decisions in order to advance the plot. Sounds like poor script writing to me.

[MattPerdue]

Most of what anyone else has said can apply to me but I also felt like the film was a bit of rehash of the first Alien film. Maybe that was the point but I still didn't like that.

That Scott seems to be doing that again with Covenant has me slightly worried about that film too. As mush as I disliked this film I was/am legitimate curious about what happens to Noomi Rapace's character finding the Engineers. And it doesn't look like they'll be going down that path.

I want to see this film again as well. Just to see if it doesn't get better the 2nd time around.

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by Blu Myers

I think the major issue I constantly hear about is the biologist. I believe people of a certain profession CAN get curious about new species...even dangerously curious (Steve Irwin anyone?). And the world is full of idiots, so it's plausible people.

Millburn was careless, no doubt. Perhaps he should've felt more aprehension than curiosity in the presence of an unknown alien creature. I know I would have bolted. Lindelof wrote a careless character.

Honestly, it couldn't bother me less.

[Ray Jackson]

I have no problem with people who think Prometheus is a great movie.

I don't think it's a bad movie...I think it's a flawed movie with some good stuff in it.

But I do have to take exception to the idea that anyone who doesn't like it just doesn't understand the Alien universe.

I've seen the original at least 20 times.

I've seen Aliens at least ten times.

Alien 3 at least five times.

I may not have extensive knowledge of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation backstory, but I have a reasonably educated understanding of the Alien world in general.

...I think Prometheus is an interesting film with some very legitimate problems.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by kylor

I don't think it's fair that it gets the amount of dislike that it does receive, do you find that fair?

My take is Ridley Scott can be a polarizing director, given his emphasis on the visualization of ideas to create a mood and related feeling as opposed to strict adherence to a logical narrative. Time and again, viewers will comment on the wonderful visual execution of ideas, and wonder why doesn't Scott give equal weight to the story, i.e., his films are bi-polar. There is no question in my mind that The Martian provided a much more compelling story (and related character) combined with a much better script than found in Prometheus, which are the big reasons, along with Matt Damon, it is his most financially successful film.

That said, in spite of its flaws, I really like Prometheus, and that is true for most of his recent work, including Robin Hood and Exodus. I enjoy watching and re-watching them, all the while saying to myself, 'This film could have been much more fulfilling if the cast/story/script was better executed.'

Specific to directing cast, as opposed to executing scenes, may be another of Scott's issues, as evidenced by Sean Harris, who played the much-maligned Fifield in Prometheus, yet was absolutely terrific in MI: Rogue Nation and Macbeth.

At the end of the day, after 35+ years, Scott rarely loses money on his films, and he has added the Apple 1984 commercial, Alien and Bladerunner to the cinematic canon. Not too shabby.

[darkness2918]

For me Prometheus is an ok sci-fi movie at best but I think it's not so good as a Alien prequel. As a stand alone or a side story set in the same universe I think would've been better for it. I'm just glad Covenant seems to be fixing the issues I had with Prometheus.

[Blu Myers]

Originally Posted by ArrestedDevelopment

but the whole movie was fully of ONLY idiots. Characters made idiotic decisions in order to advance the plot. Sounds like poor script writing to me.

I disagree for the most part. These are explorers (from different professions) charting on a journey into a place they know nothing about. They're tenacious. Are they geniuses...no. But many of the situations they find themselves in are circumstantial.

The biologist, was an idiot. He was greedy. But that doesn't mean it's not plausible to have a character like this...especially in an unknown environment like this.

[Arawn]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

I can't stand Fifield.

He's only tolerable after he turns into Aggressive Hybrid Space Zombie.

[Cremildo]

I've just watched it again, literally minutes ago.

Milburn's infamous pre-death scene with the hammerpede is not as bad as people make it out to be: he's somewhat cautious and jumpy the whole time (all the while Fifield is nearly shitting his pants not far behind). Some people complain about the scene as if Milburn is totally happy-go-lucky and twirling like a little girl while facing the damn alien worm, but that's not the case AT ALL.

Some people tend to claim that it was absurd for Dr. Shaw to keep going after the caesarian - actually, she injects herself quite a few times with painkillers before and after it (and take some pills in a brief scene), and keeps feeling the pain a long time after she gets out of the medpod. She's still visibly hurting while she's on the Juggernaut with Weyland and the Engineer.

The scene in which Shaw and Vickers try to outrun the falling Juggernaut is perhaps the one that detractors might still pick apart more easily - I thought Shaw ran perpendicularly to the ship, but she actually runs in a straight line too (like Vickers), until she trips and falls and rolls to the side at the last moment. Still, people need to realize that the Juggernaut is absolutely massive in width, not just length.

Complaints about "all" characters being idiots don't make sense to me. The whys and hows of the mission are well established early on and deepened later, after Weyland revives - whether some people buy them or not, it's up to their willingness to suspend disbelief in a fantasy/sci-fi movie.

[AmrlKJaneway]

Prometheus is utter crap. Can't even stay awake in it, and it looks like shit.

[P-Rock]

Originally Posted by AmrlKJaneway

and it looks like shit.

Does not compute.

[AmrlKJaneway]

Originally Posted by P-Rock

Does not compute.

It's so glossy. Everyone looks like they're made of plastic or something.

[JamesBenjamin]

Originally Posted by AmrlKJaneway

It's so glossy. Everyone looks like they're made of plastic or something.

That might be your TV settings. The spaceship is glossy in some places, but the characters (and their costumes) certainly aren't.

[JamesBenjamin]

Originally Posted by JamesBenjamin

I liked the movie a lot, and I don't think there are any plot holes. Its just that people don't pay attention to what's going on.

The big thing people don't seem to get is that the set up on the planet is there to "make xenomorphs" but we don't see the full process. There are two types of "goo" and multiple creatures that need to be genetically melded together to make the actual xenomorph from Alien. We see both goo types used individually, and each of 3 creatures (the worm, the squid, and the deacon) separately. To make an actual xenomorph you need both goo types affecting all three creatures in the right order to get a xenomorph and not a deacon at the end of the process.

The other major complaint is why the characters make stupid decisions. Example one: the animal expert playing with what we know is a deadly creature. Well, he didn't think it was going to have crazy strength and acid spit but like many horror movie characters, he did something stupid to move the plot forward. Example two: people think the mapmaker guy got lost. He didn't. He (and the other guy he was with) couldn't get out fast enough before the storm hit. So they stayed in the caves and explored. Not a "plot hole" just people not paying attention.

Another complaint is why did David poison that one guy? Shouldn't he be programmed not to? Well, no. He's programmed to help the old guy find a way to extend his life. Everyone else is expendable.

Another broad complaint: why do all these so-called experts make stupid mistakes? They're not experts! The one guy is using drugs on the job, and they're all just sort of along for the ride. The old guy didn't hire the best and brightest (and it shows) just because he wanted to further knowledge. He wanted people he could control to get what he wanted (aliens to be able to extend his life). He chose mid level people and C students to do that. Throw a bunch of money at people and they'll do whatever you want.

Sorry I don't recall all the names anymore. Its been awhile.

I'm just going to quote myself since the thread got merged and my thoughts were buried.

When the movie came out a lot of people just shat on it without really understanding what was happening. You're seeing a lot of the same thing with Rogue One. Example: "all the characters are flat and have no development," well that's just total BS. Without going into spoiler territory, the scene where Jyn is watching/listening to her father's hologram say how much he loved her and why he did what he did (to protect her) look at felicity jones' face. She's putting on just as good a performance as one can, and getting across a ton of info/emotional weight and character growth.

Movies are allowed to be subtle, and just because you (the royal you) don't understand something or catch it on the first go 'round, doesn't mean the movie sucks.

[Eny-]

Originally Posted by JamesBenjamin

I'm just going to quote myself since the thread got merged and my thoughts were buried.

When the movie came out a lot of people just shat on it without really understanding what was happening. You're seeing a lot of the same thing with Rogue One. Example: "all the characters are flat and have no development," well that's just total BS. Without going into spoiler territory, the scene where Jyn is watching/listening to her father's hologram say how much he loved her and why he did what he did (to protect her) look at felicity jones' face. She's putting on just as good a performance as one can, and getting across a ton of info/emotional weight and character growth.

Movies are allowed to be subtle, and just because you (the royal you) don't understand something or catch it on the first go 'round, doesn't mean the movie sucks.

Why can't people just respect others opinions?

I love Prometheus but even I can see where the critic comes from. Some changes Lindelof made to the script are stupid.

Although I can justify some stupid decisions made by the characters to progress the story, no one can buy why the guy that was mapping the place and supposedly have some sense of direction, of all people, gets lost! (eg)

The way that Holloway was re-written by Lindelof to be a complete jerk doesn't help. Here's a guy that had a chance of a lifetime to confirm his theories and then turns a toddlers tantrum because it was not what he expected? No nuanced performance here, just stupid character writing. In Spaiths script he was also frustrated but in a much much subtle way.

All in all, I think it's a fantastic movie nonetheless beautifully shot by Scott, as usual.

[tob]

Originally Posted by AmrlKJaneway

Prometheus is utter crap. Can't even stay awake in it, and it looks like shit.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by Eny-

Why can't people just respect others opinions?

I love Prometheus but even I can see where the critic comes from. Some changes Lindelof made to the script are stupid.

Although I can justify some stupid decisions made by the characters to progress the story, no one can buy why the guy that was mapping the place and supposedly have some sense of direction, of all people, gets lost! (eg)

I agree on the respect part. There was a weird occurrence. After the duo got lost, they were alerted to a foreign presence moving towards them, it then vanishes and is never seen or talked about again.

[Eny-]

Originally Posted by mwynn

I agree on the respect part. There was a weird occurrence. After the duo got lost, they were alerted to a foreign presence moving towards them, it then vanishes and is never seen or talked about again.

You got that wrong. The "pups" detected a life form. It was not moving. The life form should be the worm.

Janek: Just got a ping about one click west of you.
Millburn: What do you mean "a ping"?
Janek: Well, whatever that probe is picking up, it's not dead. It's reading a life form.
Fifield: What?
Millburn: Okay, what you mean, "a life form"?
Fifield: Is it - Is it moving?
Janek: No, I don't think so.
Fifield: No, Captain, you're obviously not seeing what we're seeing down here. But if you were, you wouldn't be talking about a bloody ping, yeah?
Janek: I know, boys. Your signal has been coming in sporadically since the storm hit.
Fifield: That's no good to us down here, Captain! Is it - Is it moving? Are these things moving?
Janek: No. No, it just disappeared, actually. Must be a glitch.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by Eny-

You got that wrong. The "pups" detected a life form. It was not moving. The life form should be the worm.

How could it be the worm?

Fifield: Millburn. What does he mean? Wait. Now, he said - He said one click west, yeah?

Millburn: Yeah.

Fifield: Now, we... We don't want to check that out, do we, huh?

Millburn: Shit, no.

Fifield: Where are we gonna go?

Millburn: East.

[P-Rock]

Oh come on, the lifeform is the hybernated Engineer. David goes to check it out after he hears about it and then discovers sleeping beauty.