Prometheus (2012)

[Agent Bond]

Makes sense.

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by saprano

I watched this today. I really don't understand the dislike people have for this movie. It's a great film and worthy prequel to alien. Does it have those little details that makes alien so special? No. But it doesn't have to. On its own it's fine. Im glad i bought this and i can't wait for the sequel.

Many of the issues that people had have been pointed out here. We arent making this stuff up. It doesnt mean we hated the film, far from it. It just left me wanting a little more. Tighter plot, better logic, a few odds and ends written better. Not the end of the world.

Im looking forward to the sequel too.

[Reubania]

Originally Posted by TheMan

That's funny because they refer to it as the "black goop" in the special features. I think it might have been Ridley Scott who actually said it.

Scott also referred to the suit the Engineers wore as not an "eco-skeleton" suit. I think he meant "exo-skeleton"


Back to the topic. I've spent three consecutive nights watching Prometheus. First night, in all it's 3D glory. It lived up comparably to the IMAX 3D version and translated well on the "small" (55") screen.

The next night was spent watching the "Furious Gods: Making of Prometheus" with the "Enhancement Pods." All I can say is, WOW. Talk about a comprehensive, DEFINITIVE documentary. So insightful!

Though the one thing I got was how confused Scott was in making this story. Having two writers on board, initially planned as an "Alien" prequel, numerous times it was mentioned by Scott and other personnel how "quickly" Scott moves when he shoots. Also how quickly he changes scenes or adds scenes.

In a previous OP post, it was mentioned that "Prometheus" was more style than substance. After watching the documentary, it was evident that though Scott had great intentions and could see how the story panned out in his own head, he had great difficulties depicting it. A lot of time was spent on the overall "look and feel" of the universe. Yes, character development was also a strong point, but after watching the deleted/alternate scenes with the commentary on, most of the character development was removed/edited to save "momentum" in the third act.

I felt Scott and the writers didn't really know what the end product would be. They went with the motions, went with their emotions and reacted to a lot of elements whilst in pre-production stage and whilst shooting on set. While this type of method is conducive to creativity or editing or inspiration, it deviates too much from the central storyline or lineage of the story. In the end, we get a tad confused over broad issues and topics such as creators, gods, faith, religion, survival, death, life and origin. Yes, all very interesting, but mixed in with odd action scenes (mutated Fifield) and poor dialogue, it doesn't help with the mixed reviews this movie has received.

The last night, was spent looking at the Deleted/Alternate scenes and the Peter Weyland files. I found the deleted/alternate scenes to be disappointing. Most where just extended versions of the scenes in the theatrical cut. Like many posters here, it didn't add to the movie and felt disjointed in pace. Take for example, the dialogue between Weyland and Vickers. Vickers went from one extreme to another (apologetic one second, and then just plain cruel the next!). It was like watching a bi-polar child!

And in terms of the "alternate" beginning and ending, they were just wretched. It was great to see more Engineers, but I agreed with the commentators that it didn't add to the mystery of the Engineers than a lone Engineer would. I also agree with the Engineer's dialogue being removed. It does seem to bring them "down" to our level. No mystery or awe about them communicating like humans can. The alternate ending was also rather brash with David and Shaw. Definitely prefer the theatrical cut.

All in all, thoroughly enjoyed this movie the third time round, and the Bonus features on the 3D Blu-ray collection is definitely a feast for fans.

The "Peter Weyland Files" was my highlight, presenting "promotional" (or propaganda) videos/media on the Weyland Corporation and an insight to Peter Weyland's TED talk in 2023. I particularly liked the mention of Yutani's program in analysing Dr. Shaw's video call to Weyland Corp and Weyland's own notes on the TED talk that implies a link with Tyrell Corporation and the Blade Runner universe. I cannot tell you how excited I was to read that transcript (again).

[jblank]

Originally Posted by videohead

And the engineer? How did he get to shaw with no air support?

Different physiology, less susceptible to the high Co2 in the air.

[jblank]

Originally Posted by DRS

The way this discussion is going, you'd think Prometheus was a better movie than Avatar.

But its not...in any shape, way or form.

Oh please! Prometheus is better in every way, including visually as far as I'm concerned.

[johnstrk]

Is anyone else having an issue with the slow menu on the 2D disc? I have the Sony S360 and have never done a firmware update since every Blu-ray I've watched has never had an issue. But the menu is unusually SLOW for this release. Going through chapter search is the worse!!

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by jblank

Oh please! Prometheus is better in every way, including visually as far as I'm concerned.

Not really - even though Avatar used a tried and true simple plot (which was basically Pocahontas or Dances with Wolves), Avatar did flow better and didnt change tones halfway through the movie. Avatar had better overall writing.

Visually both are fine, nothing to discuss there. The script of Avatar felt more polished & ready whereas Prometheus seemd to have a lot of interesting ideas and concepts but wasnt able to get them on screen properly. Or something like that.

Avatar also had better character development - even though the characters were predictable and we've seen them before, they still had character "arcs". Like Jake Sully and his love story. Parker Selfridge getting softer at the end. Even Neytiri being hostile towards Jake at first but then falling for him. Its simple stuff but its still somewhat believable and genuine. Prometheus doesnt have much actual development. We dont meet or get to know anyone early in the film - The film basically starts with the expedition where Shaw and Halloway find the cave paintings. Then, its off to space we go. If anything, David is the most interesting character in Prometheus and he isnt even a person. The rest of the characters are either total throw aways - meaning you know they are gonna die during the film in some way or they simply arent developed much. There are no character arcs/backstories in Prometheus that I could discern. I hardly cared what happened to any of the humans. In Alien, for example, most people were rooting for the crew or at least Ripley towards the end.

[ObiWanShinobi]

I started thinking yesterday about how people complain about the "characters doing stupid things" in Prometheus and it got me thinking about all the stupid sh*t the crew did in Alien.

Like Kane knowing there was something alive in the egg and when it opens, like an idiot finding a gun on the ground and immediately looking down the barrel, he practically sticks his head in the damn thing.

Or how about Dallas going into the airduct ALONE to try and find/kill the alien when there are 4 perfectly able people that could have assisted him instead of hovering around a tracking device. Yea, great idea going down a dark corridor by yourself.

And dont get me started on Ripley, a 15 minute self destruction sequence, and her thinking its a good idea to waste time going back for that damn cat. Why is the cat there to begin with?

[R0CK0X]

Originally Posted by LobsterPot

I hate the term Black Goo

I get a kick out of everyone calling it "black goo." It reminds me that we're all just talking about a goofy sci-fi picture.

[HonestJohn]

Originally Posted by Agent Bond

Re: Black Goo

I was having a hard time taking it seriously when I saw it because all I could think about was the Venom symbiote.

All I could think of was the black oil from X-files mythology .... sounds similar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_O...les)#Black_oil

The virus is capable of entering humanoids and assuming control of their bodies. It has sentience and is capable of communicating. It was revealed to be the "life force" of the alien colonists, which they seemingly used to reproduce their kind, as well as infect other alien races in order to conquer the universe.

[eiknarf]

Not going to read all these pages of posts, but I really liked the movie.

However, can anyone explain one thing:

1) Why did they need to cast Guy Pearce (who is in his 40's) to play a Peter Weyland (who is old)?

Looking at the character Peter Weyland, one can easily tell it's an actor in "old-man" make-up, aka Johnny Knocksville in Jackass.


Why not just cast an old actor?

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by ObiWanShinobi

I started thinking yesterday about how people complain about the "characters doing stupid things" in Prometheus and it got me thinking about all the stupid sh*t the crew did in Alien.

Like Kane knowing there was something alive in the egg and when it opens, like an idiot finding a gun on the ground and immediately looking down the barrel, he practically sticks his head in the damn thing.

Or how about Dallas going into the airduct ALONE to try and find/kill the alien when there are 4 perfectly able people that could have assisted him instead of hovering around a tracking device. Yea, great idea going down a dark corridor by yourself.

And dont get me started on Ripley, a 15 minute self destruction sequence, and her thinking its a good idea to waste time going back for that damn cat. Why is the cat there to begin with?

Exactly!

[Big N' Tasty]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

Not going to read all these pages of posts, but I really liked the movie.

However, can anyone explain one thing:

1) Why did they need to cast Guy Pearce (who is in his 40's) to play a Peter Weyland (who is old)?

Looking at the character Peter Weyland, one can easily tell it's an actor in "old-man" make-up, aka Johnny Knocksville in Jackass.


Why not just cast an old actor?

I thought I saw a clip that there was a Young Guy Pearce acting which was to be right after the suicide scene at the start of the movie...hence needed a older guy pearce later one but it was cut out of the movie when released.

[R0CK0X]

Originally Posted by ObiWanShinobi

Or how about Dallas going into the airduct ALONE to try and find/kill the alien when there are 4 perfectly able people that could have assisted him instead of hovering around a tracking device. Yea, great idea going down a dark corridor by yourself.

Wasn't he going in the airducts to trap the alien? They tried doing that again in Alien 3 with multiple people and look how good that turned out.

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by ObiWanShinobi

I started thinking yesterday about how people complain about the "characters doing stupid things" in Prometheus and it got me thinking about all the stupid sh*t the crew did in Alien.

Like Kane knowing there was something alive in the egg and when it opens, like an idiot finding a gun on the ground and immediately looking down the barrel, he practically sticks his head in the damn thing.

Or how about Dallas going into the airduct ALONE to try and find/kill the alien when there are 4 perfectly able people that could have assisted him instead of hovering around a tracking device. Yea, great idea going down a dark corridor by yourself.

And dont get me started on Ripley, a 15 minute self destruction sequence, and her thinking its a good idea to waste time going back for that damn cat. Why is the cat there to begin with?

Kane was very slow and methodical about the egg. Its a far cry from the morons in Pormetheus that essentially treat a hostile looking snaky alien thing like its a poodle. Kanes behavior, while shaky was at least a little more reasonable. The two guys in Prometheus? No go deal. Like Dumb and Dumber. Heck - why were those two clowns even chosen for the mission in the first place?

Dallas did take a huge risk but he did have a flamethrower and they still didnt expect the alien to be so big and stealthy like it was. Still - much better than deciding to arbitrarily inject electricity into the dead-head of some alien being. They werent even wearing any protective gear or anything. Just fire it up and hope for the best.

The cat rescue, I will also say was kind of dumb. I happen to hate cats so maybe thats why I dont care? Ill admit though, she should have left when she had the chance. I also feel that scene drags on a bit in Alien.

Overall, IMO, Alien was more plausible when it came to doing "dumb stuff" and the Alien characters did less of it. And, the crew of the Nostormo was just a bunch of working stiffs who were ill prepared for what they faced. The Prometheus crew were PHD-laden scientists and archeologists. They should have had a better grasp of the situation.

[R0CK0X]

Originally Posted by ObiWanShinobi

And dont get me started on Ripley, a 15 minute self destruction sequence, and her thinking its a good idea to waste time going back for that damn cat.

Anyone who loves cat wouldn't question it.

I'm trying to remember though, did Ripley spend a considerable amount of time grabbing the cat? After she hits the self-destruct, isn't Jones on her way to the shuttle anyway?

Originally Posted by ObiWanShinobi

Why is the cat there to begin with?

Maybe this? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship%27s_cat

[Duffy12]

Originally Posted by raygendreau

I’m surprised this hasn’t generated more interest on this forum. It has been posted a few times without much analysis. This is a partial translation of one page of a weapons manual, similar to a U.S. Military Tech Order. It was found in the aftermath of the Prometheus Mission by Weyland Corp. It has been partially translated by Weyland Cybernetic Individual D939.1WEY. (David?)
It covers the effects of inhalation and ingestion of Chemical A=3959X.91-15, popularly known as “black Goo”. It also displays the weapons delivery system, a steatite ampule, along with storage and maintenance requirements for the weapon.
Translation is incomplete and what has been translated in not necessarily accurate. I suspect several more pages will be revealed in time. Weyland Corp. has classified the information. I believe this information may be the beginning of the viral marketing for Paradise, rather than just a continuation of the viral marketing for Prometheus.
When Shaw said “if we don’t stop it, there will be no home to go back to.” , she was right, she was so right.
According to planet test 3gamma, it takes only 5 or 6 lunar months to completely destroy sentient life on a planet. Now we know why Ridley referred to the Engineers as “Dark Angels”. Once they have eradicated sentient life, other Engineers (not the Dark Angels) perform terraforming and then ritualistically seed life as we see in the opening scene in Prometheus. Perhaps this process has taken place more than once on Earth.
Infographic caption: Weyland Declassified: In researching the aftermath of Project Prometheus, Weyland Industries managed to uncover an information manual written by the Engineers concerning a chemical agent found by the Prometheus crew. Linguistic components from the original document translated by a Weyland Industries’ cybernetic individual. http://imgur.com/hm4SP
So, has Weyland Corp dispatched another FTL ship to LV 426 where they found this translation, or has David found a way to communicate with Weyland Corp without Shaw’s knowledge? Or, did David convince Shaw to return to Weyland Corp rather than go directly to Paradise? Will Weyland Corp turn the Engineer’s Weapons against them? Nuke Paradise from orbit?

OK, is this and the ending in Prometheus not a HUGE plot hole?

We have seen from ALL the other ALIEN movies that the company will go to no end to get their hands on these alien samples. So how come they NEVER went back?

Instead they kept trying the Ripley route with constant failure.

.

[LobsterPot]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Many of the issues that people had have been pointed out here.

And all of those things have been rebutted
people are just content with not knowing

Such is the internet age

Originally Posted by Duffy12

OK, is this and the ending in Prometheus not a HUGE plot hole?

We have seen from ALL the other ALIEN movies that the company will go to no end to get their hands on these alien samples. So how come they NEVER went back? [/RIGHT]

Scott said Prometheus links with Alien, but none of the subsequent.
So only his movie. Makes since as that's the only one that's his film
they changed the mythology so much it makes sense he would ignore things like Queen, etc

[mrr1]

Originally Posted by Monk360

Wow.

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=9767

I can honestly say that I didn't expect this.

I didn't expect it, but it doesn't surprise me - I know quite a few people who saw The Avengers in the theater (they brought their kids & families), but blind bought the Prometheus Blu Ray to watch on their own instead of seeing it in a theater.

[mrr1]

Originally Posted by raygendreau

Perhaps you can answer your first question by observing the degraded hologram of the Engineers passing through the door before it closes. Then watch what the engineers in the degraded hologram on the Engineer ship bridge do.

I did. A couple of times.

So I reiterate - Why was he the only one left? Was it luck that he didn't get infected? Did he infect the others?

The whole story surrounding the engineers isn't totally clear on what exactly happened.