Prometheus (2012)

[warrian]

Wha?... [Puke][/puke]

[The Great Owl]

I just finished watching my Blu-ray of Prometheus.

I bought the plain Blu-ray + Digital HD edition, since it's only $14.99 at Best Buy with a coupon code for $7.50 off of Alien: Covenant, but the single-disc Blu-ray has all of the extras that I need.

This was only my second time watching Prometheus, after having seen it at the theater back in 2012. I had an underwhelmed reaction after my first viewing of this movie, because I felt that Ridley Scott had made too many concessions to Alien fans instead of creating a science fiction film that stood on its own terms. My opinion of this film upon my latest viewing today, however, is much more positive, probably because I went into it without nitpicking, and because I went into it to amp myself up for Alien: Covenant in a couple of months. The visuals are pretty amazing, and I applaud Scott's use of practical effects whenever possible. Michael Fassbender is outstanding in this film, and my favorite scenes are still the ones where he is in the ship by himself watching Lawrence of Arabia.

I like the story element of the Engineers, and I like how this film hints at an H.P. Lovecraft-esque universe where unspeakable horrors beyond our wildest nightmares are abound, and where human beings are only a tiny inconsequential afterthought in the grand scheme. I also like how the movie that is not afraid to ask the big questions about God, creation, and the purpose of humanity, even if it leaves even more unanswered questions in the end.

The Blu-ray looks and sounds better than one can imagine. I'm enjoying the Ridley Scott commentary track now.


I'm still convinced that the big creature at the end is a Shoggoth, from H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness.

[StingingVelvet]

It's definitely better the second time after the disappointment wears off. If you take it as a simple sci-fi movie of the 2010's then it's probably near the damn top. Just some annoying script issues.

[imsounoriginal]

Last time I rewatched it the only few things that really annoyed me were the dumbass zoologist, the bit where his redhead buddy turns into a zombie, and the women running along the length of the falling ship rather than across it. Other than that, I love this movie. Everything about the Engineers and the "Where do we come from?" angle is so great. Wish there had been more of an emphasis on that than the standard horror movie tropes, which feel tacked on even more than the Alien stuff towards the end, but those are relatively small caveats. Covenant is my most anticipated movie this year, can't wait to see where things are headed.

Hopefully there's a UHD in our future

[jayman3]

Best thing about this release is the amount of bonus features.

[imsounoriginal]

Rapace is developed fairly well, Elba goes through a nice arc, Fassbender may be an android but he's easily the most interesting character in the movie. I even like Theron, who has some good scenes and is deliberately kept opaque (one of the more interesting unanswered questions is whether or not she's an android, and I'm somewhat inclined to think she is). But yeah, the rest of the characters are horror movie monster fodder. Even the Tom Hardy lookalike, who always comes off as more of a frat boy than a scientist, let alone one who would be trusted to basically lead such a monumental scientific undertaking.

[imsounoriginal]

I get that it's a horror movie trope, but dumb teenagers doing stupid things is different than supposedly brilliant scientists leading an expedition into uncharted space.

[Early Memphis]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

so sorry these "stupid people" doing stupid things bothers you (and others) so much.... we all know it's rare for characters to do stupid things in horror/sci-fi movies so I can see why you hate the movie!

So sorry that English isn't your native language, I know that makes things difficult, but there was nothing about "hating" anything in my post. However, if creating painted-up scarecrow scapegoats is comforting for you, who am I to suggest that maybe you consider getting an education instead - at least until you learn how to read and interpret words. Talk about stupid people doing stupid things ... Oh, that's just stupid.

[The Fallen Deity]

Looking at the deleted scenes again has reminded me of how badly edited the final act of the film is.

The scenes with Vickers talking to Weyland in his room, David talking to the Engineer and Shaw's fight with the Engineer were much better in their original form.

[Arawn]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I can believe a freaked out biologist high on pot might act like a dummy with that worm.

You're getting one crappy character confused with another crappy character.

[levcore]

I think it beggars belief that one of them actually has a suit that allows him to smoke pot, and that he is actually more concerned about smoking pot than the fact that he is one of the first human beings to set foot on an alien planet and discover a new race. It's stuff like that which makes the writing absolutely horrific.

He's also the character that yells at Rapace about how much he loves rocks and yet we don't see a single instance of him expressing any interest in the rock formations of this new and uncharted planet. Terrible character, terribly written and badly directed.

[Lope de Aguirre]

Originally Posted by levcore

I think it beggars belief that one of them actually has a suit that allows him to smoke pot, and that he is actually more concerned about smoking pot than the fact that he is one of the first human beings to set foot on an alien planet and discover a new race. It's stuff like that which makes the writing absolutely horrific.

He's also the character that yells at Rapace about how much he loves rocks and yet we don't see a single instance of him expressing any interest in the rock formations of this new and uncharted planet. Terrible character, terribly written and badly directed.

Maybe that's why he likes to get stoned.

[MJD64]

For me, it's not whether these characters are stupid or not; it's that they're entirely unmemorable. Something that's not true of the characters in Alien and Aliens (whether they have instances of behaving stupidly or not).

[UltraMario9]

Originally Posted by MJD64

For me, it's not whether these characters are stupid or not; it's that they're entirely unmemorable. Something that's not true of the characters in Alien and Aliens (whether they have instances of behaving stupidly or not).

I remember David.

[MJD64]

Originally Posted by UltraMario9

I remember David.

I remember Ash and Bishop. However, I remember the human characters even more vividly in Alien and Aliens.

I find it ironic the most memorable character in Prometheus is an android. It speaks to how generic the rest of the characters are.

[gates70]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I think it's execution really. I can believe a freaked out biologist high on pot might act like a dummy with that worm. I can believe someone obsessed with proving himself right about our origins might not report his infection because it will sideline him. I can believe two friends might stay with their captain out of loyalty and love while they all sacrifice themselves. I can believe two women running from a falling spacecraft might not have the awareness in that moment to run the right way, because it's so chaotic and they're freaking out.

However the movie fails to sell these moments, which is all about execution. The characters aren't developed enough to sell it, the moments aren't structured enough to sell it.

I can't believe people still mention that scene when we had a person like Steve Irwin doing that very type of thing with dangerous animals.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Arawn

You're getting one crappy character confused with another crappy character.

How so?

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

Looking at the deleted scenes again has reminded me of how badly edited the final act of the film is.

The scenes with Vickers talking to Weyland in his room, David talking to the Engineer and Shaw's fight with the Engineer were much better in their original form.

Plus the weapons dump anecdote with Janek. I know that's not in the final film at all so it doesn't really count towards your point, but it's a great little bit that really sells why he's so intent on sacrificing himself near the end. But yeah, the extended Engineer fight is terrific and I can't figure for the life of me why it was cut, same with David's actual conversation with the Engineer, unless the movie was running too long. Sure, some folks may not like the predictable stalk 'n' slash element of Shaw's battle with the engineer, but the final cut of the movie is set up like some dumb-as-rocks slasher flick anyway, so why not go all the way with that notion?

And yes, velvet is SPOT ON when it comes to the list of grievances against the film: when you believe in a set of characters then it's easier to follow them on their journey no matter how stupid it might get, but Prometheus is full to the brim with douchebags and red shirts and it's SO hard to empathise with either set. Honourable mentions to Shaw and Janek but the rest of them, wheeeeew.

[doctor_who]

Originally Posted by MJD64

For me, it's not whether these characters are stupid or not; it's that they're entirely unmemorable. Something that's not true of the characters in Alien and Aliens (whether they have instances of behaving stupidly or not).

That's like, your opinion man. Prometheus is my favorite of the entire series.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by doctor_who

That's like, your opinion man. Prometheus is my favorite of the entire series.

I don't know how that's possible for anyone with a quarter of a brain much less a half.