Prometheus Review Thread (Spoilers)

[dvining]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

Did anybody else notice that alien's head looks like a giant...

I always felt like it looked a bit more like a...

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by dvining

I always felt like it looked a bit more like a...

[Show spoiler]

And the facehugger reminds me of something...

[Show spoiler]

[dvining]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

And the facehugger reminds me of something...

[Show spoiler]

I surely don't know what you're talking about.

Now, I'm off to the Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit.

[Show spoiler]

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by dvining

I surely don't know what you're talking about.

Now, I'm off to the Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit.

[Show spoiler]

Nice petals.

[dvining]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

Nice petals.

That's what she said.

[Zillamon51]

There's no denying there's a lot of violent sexual subtext in the original film.

A few posts up, someone said the film really shouldn't be connected to Alien. I agree. If it was an original film in its own universe, it could explore all the religious themes, answer or not answer any questions raised, and make sense or not, all without muddying the waters around an iconic classic film that works better with its otherworldly mysteries left unexplained.

[Zivouhr]

When they do prequels, it's often to reveal where it all started, but it's true that some things are best kept a mystery. Aliens really don't need an explanation of how they came about. There are lots of predator creatures in the world that don't need explanations.

Even so, it can be interesting to see where the creator/writer/Ridley Scott wanted to take the origins of Alien. I don't regret that he tried and really enjoyed Prometheus as its own parasitic infection film with sci fi horror. Covenant is easier to watch on a second viewing, since it diverts quite a bit from the original's hero, Liz Shaw, to David the Android.

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Yes, they could have skipped the space jockey altogether along with any relation to the the first two films. As you said, we get no data on what the baby builders were up to. Zero. Just an interesting opening scene that goes no further. Yes, engineers intentions. What were they? Why have eggs on the ship? Was he going to Earth? And….we wouldn’t have seen that coming nor looked into it?

I meant that the original Alien didn’t need to have the space jockey. Could’ve just had the xenomorphs live on the planet and the crew come across some eggs. But the space jockey with the ship full of eggs added a mysterious quality that I really like.

Originally Posted by s2mikey

One prequel would have been fine and just make it entirely about the engineersand their adventures. Covenant expanded on nothing. It just gave us Friday the 13th level characters and zero answers. Now what the hell they gonna do? See? Better to have left the franchise alone after all.

It’s pretty strange that Prometheus asked all these questions without giving many answers and then Covenant took a giant U-turn and and focused on David instead of the Engineers and their plans/motives. I was much more intrigued by the Engineers than David.

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by Warm Gun

Ridley Scott in the cast and crew commentary: "I figured robots had to have, if they're really sophisticated, had to occasionally have the urge. So I said to Ash, 'How do you feel about sexual drive?' He said, 'Great.' So I said, rather than just beating her up, isn't it more interesting that he actually has always wanted to, and here is his opportunity, but he doesn't have that part. And therefore it's a magazine."

Well, OK. If that’s what his intention was then I’ll go with it. I never got that idea from watching the film though. Simply same across as the only weapon he could find at the time to try and choke her out. Great scene, nonetheless!

Originally Posted by Zillamon51

There's no denying there's a lot of violent sexual subtext in the original film.

A few posts up, someone said the film really shouldn't be connected to Alien. I agree. If it was an original film in its own universe, it could explore all the religious themes, answer or not answer any questions raised, and make sense or not, all without muddying the waters around an iconic classic film that works better with its otherworldly mysteries left unexplained.

Probably me. I believe Prometheus should have just been a sci-fi film and had nothing to do with Alien or Aliens. The tie ins were half assed anyways and as you said they muddied the waters versus adding anything really interesting to the lore of the Xenomorph.

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

When they do prequels, it's often to reveal where it all started, but it's true that some things are best kept a mystery. Aliens really don't need an explanation of how they came about. There are lots of predator creatures in the world that don't need explanations.

Even so, it can be interesting to see where the creator/writer/Ridley Scott wanted to take the origins of Alien. I don't regret that he tried and really enjoyed Prometheus as its own parasitic infection film with sci fi horror. Covenant is easier to watch on a second viewing, since it diverts quite a bit from the original's hero, Liz Shaw, to David the Android.

You nailed it. IMO, the Xenomorph should have been left a mystery. It’s just a creature that evolved somewhere in space and is just doing what it needs to to survive. We don’t need a backstory, or certainly not the stupid one we got. Just black space goop. Made by low-carb diet yoga instructors. Ugh, LOL.

So, Prometheus should have just done it’s own thing and been a separate movie. I bet it’d have been better.

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

I meant that the original Alien didn’t need to have the space jockey. Could’ve just had the xenomorphs live on the planet and the crew come across some eggs. But the space jockey with the ship full of eggs added a mysterious quality that I really like.

It’s pretty strange that Prometheus asked all these questions without giving many answers and then Covenant took a giant U-turn and and focused on David instead of the Engineers and their plans/motives. I was much more intrigued by the Engineers than David.

Yeah, the space jockey and eggs is cool as in it raises questions like where was he going? Did he really crash land or did he mean to land on LV426? What was the objective? Where were the eggs going to be placed? Or were they meant to be found? Dunno but it’d would have been nice to know. It’s a little too much of a mystery and was a question worth answering. Disappointing they didn’t.

Yes, the engineers are way more interesting than David. I like Mike Fassbender but Covenant became even more dull when he was on screen. All that babbling on that he and Walter did induced sleep. Yawn. Are we done yet? Is this movie going to answer ANY questions from the previous film? Guess not. WTF? Covenant remains terrible. I hate that movie.

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

[Show spoiler]Well, OK. If that’s what his intention was then I’ll go with it. I never got that idea from watching the film though. Simply same across as the only weapon he could find at the time to try and choke her out. Great scene, nonetheless!



Probably me. I believe Prometheus should have just been a sci-fi film and had nothing to do with Alien or Aliens. The tie ins were half assed anyways and as you said they muddied the waters versus adding anything really interesting to the lore of the Xenomorph.

You nailed it. IMO, the Xenomorph should have been left a mystery. It’s just a creature that evolved somewhere in space and is just doing what it needs to to survive. We don’t need a backstory, or certainly not the stupid one we got. Just black space goop. Made by low-carb diet yoga instructors. Ugh, LOL.

So, Prometheus should have just done it’s own thing and been a separate movie. I bet it’d have been better.



Yeah, the space jockey and eggs is cool as in it raises questions like where was he going? Did he really crash land or did he mean to land on LV426? What was the objective? Where were the eggs going to be placed? Or were they meant to be found? Dunno but it’d would have been nice to know. It’s a little too much of a mystery and was a question worth answering. Disappointing they didn’t.

Yes, the engineers are way more interesting than David. I like Mike Fassbender but Covenant became even more dull when he was on screen. All that babbling on that he and Walter did induced sleep. Yawn. Are we done yet? Is this movie going to answer ANY questions from the previous film? Guess not. WTF? Covenant remains terrible. I hate that movie.

Thanks. It reminds me of George Lucas, and how instead of keeping The Force a mystery, he's later trying to explain it with micro-organisms, which is totally unnecessary unless a character finds a way to manipulate the Midicloridians and the Whills and turn non-Force people into Force holders.
Otherwise, we don't need to know how the Force works. His point seems to be that everything can be explained through science, and there is no real magic.

With the Aliens in Prometheus and Covenant, it's sort of trying to explain where Sharks originate in a Jaws movie. "I've discovered there is a link to the earliest micro-organisms of the sea, from which deadly sharks derived." It doesn't really advance the story and is more like exposition since the heroes don't use that information to defeat the enemies, defeating the purpose, and creating a science film more than science fiction horror with Prometheus and Covenant.

Covenant, the first viewing, I didn't like it much. The second viewing, after my expectations were dismissed by the film, it was easier to watch to my surprise despite its flaws. It's definitely a movie about AI wanting to create new life to destroy its creators who gave David life. In that way, it makes more sense than an Alien franchise film.

But yeah, it's probably the main way Ridley Scott was able to get these movies funded, by connecting them to the Alien Franchise, which is what the producers wanted most of all I bet. A built in audience.

[DR Herbert West]

I still feel like the origin of the alien is up for debate.

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

Thanks. It reminds me of George Lucas, and how instead of keeping The Force a mystery, he's later trying to explain it with micro-organisms, which is totally unnecessary unless a character finds a way to manipulate the Midicloridians and the Whills and turn non-Force people into Force holders.
Otherwise, we don't need to know how the Force works. His point seems to be that everything can be explained through science, and there is no real magic.

With the Aliens in Prometheus and Covenant, it's sort of trying to explain where Sharks originate in a Jaws movie. "I've discovered there is a link to the earliest micro-organisms of the sea, from which deadly sharks derived." It doesn't really advance the story and is more like exposition since the heroes don't use that information to defeat the enemies, defeating the purpose, and creating a science film more than science fiction horror with Prometheus and Covenant.

Covenant, the first viewing, I didn't like it much. The second viewing, after my expectations were dismissed by the film, it was easier to watch to my surprise despite its flaws. It's definitely a movie about AI wanting to create new life to destroy its creators who gave David life. In that way, it makes more sense than an Alien franchise film.

But yeah, it's probably the main way Ridley Scott was able to get these movies funded, by connecting them to the Alien Franchise, which is what the producers wanted most of all I bet. A built in audience.

I hear ya but I have warmed up to the midichlorians concept even though I prefer the mystery element. The force just "is". Leave it at that.

Good analogy with the Xeno's and sharks. It almost doesnt matter where they came from. I prefer they are simply an organism that exists. Thats it. Their origin isnt as important as what happens once they are found by the Nostromo crew. Prometheus didnt need any Xeno stuff in it.

I just cant do Covenant. I've tried. There are a few moments or scenes that are cool and Ive heard that some deleted scenes should have made it into the film. But, I just cant do it. I watch the first two after Prometheus and that concludes my Alien franchise viewing itinerary.

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

I still feel like the origin of the alien is up for debate.

You are probably correct. Alls we really get is a pseudo-Xenomorph looking thing at the very end of Prometheus. Doesnt mean anything, really. What we get in the films that take place later might have nothing to do with that specific creature.

[Zivouhr]

If Ridley Scott continued his prequel story with part 3, he would probably have David create more Xenoliens to wipe out everyone in sight, and then finally they'd destroy their creator, or would they? In Covenant, they were tolerant of him and didn't try to harm him.

I think they had a story idea out there for it already.

Originally Posted by s2mikey

I hear ya but I have warmed up to the midichlorians concept even though I prefer the mystery element. The force just "is". Leave it at that.

Good analogy with the Xeno's and sharks. It almost doesnt matter where they came from. I prefer they are simply an organism that exists. Thats it. Their origin isnt as important as what happens once they are found by the Nostromo crew. Prometheus didnt need any Xeno stuff in it.

I just cant do Covenant. I've tried. There are a few moments or scenes that are cool and Ive heard that some deleted scenes should have made it into the film. But, I just cant do it. I watch the first two after Prometheus and that concludes my Alien franchise viewing itinerary.



You are probably correct. Alls we really get is a pseudo-Xenomorph looking thing at the very end of Prometheus. Doesnt mean anything, really. What we get in the films that take place later might have nothing to do with that specific creature.

I understand how you might feel about Covenant after you saw it once. I bought Prometheus on blu ray 3D right away, but for Covenant, I waited till the DVD was 4.99, which finally happened this past November during the sales week. Otherwise, I still would not have more than the one theatrical viewing of it.

I remember they wanted to do more with Liz Shaw's character but that path was scrapped and she only got a voice cameo with just still photos of her character and that brief hologram.

It was sad because she flew all those years to get to that planet, lost everyone there to the nightmare events, then heads out to confront the Engineers at the end of Prometheus only to have been killed offscreen and before the movie even starts, by David after foolishly reattaching him to his body. I was hoping since the director spared her in Prometheus, she might become a "Ripley" type character but no luck.

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

I still feel like the origin of the alien is up for debate.

Yeah, the mural in Prometheus is ancient and it looks like there’s a facehugger on it, so it seems like David is just re-creating what the Engineers already discovered long ago by reverse-engineering what their experiments lead them to. Perhaps the Engineers created the xenomorph long ago, but I prefer their existence to be mysterious. The Engineers might’ve discovered them and tinkered around with their DNA. Perhaps the black goo is a result of these experiments rather than the goo giving rise to the xenomorph.

Originally Posted by s2mikey

I just cant do Covenant. I've tried. There are a few moments or scenes that are cool and Ive heard that some deleted scenes should have made it into the film. But, I just cant do it. I watch the first two after Prometheus and that concludes my Alien franchise viewing itinerary.

I enjoy Covenant on its own, but I don’t like it as a continuation of Prometheus. I treat it more like a “what if” Alien movie. One thing I love about both prequels though is the music. Both movies have great original scores with a bit of the Alien theme sprinkled in here and there.

As far as my favorites to watch, I prefer Prometheus and Alien 1-3. I’ve always loved Alien 3 ever since I first saw it. Maybe being 12 or 13 at the time had something to do with it. I always found it to be a sad but fitting ending to the series.

Originally Posted by s2mikey

You are probably correct. Alls we really get is a pseudo-Xenomorph looking thing at the very end of Prometheus. Doesnt mean anything, really. What we get in the films that take place later might have nothing to do with that specific creature.

Agreed. The creatures in Prometheus and Covenant might only be related to the xenomorph in terms of the black goo. As I’ve said, my preference is that the existence of the xenomorph is mysterious, and the black goo is a result of the Engineers tinkering with their DNA. And this tinkering lead to different hybrids like the hammerpede, deacon, neomorph, etc.

It’s pretty interesting thinking about how the xenomorph came about. How did their species start if they needed hosts to begin with? What came first, the xenomorph or the egg?

[unberechenbar]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

I enjoy Covenant on its own, but I don’t like it as a continuation of Prometheus. I treat it more like a “what if” Alien movie. One thing I love about both prequels though is the music. Both movies have great original scores with a bit of the Alien theme sprinkled in here and there.

Glad you brought this up. The scores are amazing! Life is a masterpiece. I have the Covenant soundtrack but it's hard to find the Prometheus one for a reasonable price.

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by unberechenbar

Glad you brought this up. The scores are amazing! Life is a masterpiece. I have the Covenant soundtrack but it's hard to find the Prometheus one for a reasonable price.

I’ve been looking for the Prometheus soundtrack on CD too and I see that on Amazon it’s being sold by Amazon Global UK for $24 and free shipping, but I don’t have experience with this service. Not sure how reliable it is.

[unberechenbar]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

I’ve been looking for the Prometheus soundtrack on CD too and I see that on Amazon it’s being sold by Amazon Global UK for $24 and free shipping, but I don’t have experience with this service. Not sure how reliable it is.

Oh cool. I just ordered a used copy on Ebay. I bought Oblivion from Amazon Global UK in the past and it was fine. I think it's just the Amazon store in the UK selling stuff on the US Amazon site.

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by unberechenbar

Oh cool. I just ordered a used copy on Ebay. I bought Oblivion from Amazon Global UK in the past and it was fine. I think it's just the Amazon store in the UK selling stuff on the US Amazon site.

Thanks. I might order it. I love the soundtracks for Alien 1-3 and the two prequels. I’ve listened to the soundtracks for Alien: Resurrection and the two AVP films, but I wasn’t really into them (although Resurrection had its moments). They’re also my least favorite Alien movies.

[unberechenbar]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

Thanks. I might order it. I love the soundtracks for Alien 1-3 and the two prequels. I’ve listened to the soundtracks for Alien: Resurrection and the two AVP films, but I wasn’t really into them (although Resurrection had its moments). They’re also my least favorite Alien movies.

I remember watching AvP in a theater as a kid, before I even knew about the respective franchises. I wasn't really impressed with it. Haven't seen Resurrection. Maybe I'd get it if it gets a 4K release.

I actually haven't listened to anything on the Prometheus soundtrack outside of Life. I prefer to go into soundtracks blind without having heard anything outside of watching the movie so I usually only listen to music on CD. It'll be pretty cool recognizing the music when I rewatch Prometheus.

[bladerunner6]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

I still feel like the origin of the alien is up for debate.

That is a big question I want answered. Why did the Engineers create such a horrific weapon? What was the threat that made them create something so incredibly and viciously destructive?

I feel there is a fascinating story there.