Prometheus Review Thread (Spoilers)

[Spider]

Originally Posted by groove93

This is one take that I've been pondering.

[Show spoiler]If you put the film in terms of H.R. Giger's world, then Holloway was in fact a "Facehugger" for Shaw's seed. She could not have children. MEN cannot have children. Yet a Facehugger attacked Kane, planted a seed, and a creature was born from Kane. The same goes for barren Shaw. Now I know a Facugger was born from Shaw, and all other instances of impregnation involves a Xenomorph, but it was something I thought may be of interest.

She is like a virgin.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

The very premise of the film is thin. They find cave-painting of people pointing at spheres. So then they discover a planetary system that matches it. Well. I'll bet there are thousands of planetary systems that look like five spheres in that configuration. But let's say they narrow it down to one. It's a VAST leap to make the assumption that these are the home planets of beings who created us. I mean, sure, send a probe; but a TRILLION dollar, fully-manned mission? With

[Show spoiler]Weyland on board hoping they might be able to grant him immortality

? Sorry, I don't buy it.

I do hear you about this. I guess I was under the assumption

[Show spoiler]that Weyland was about to die, went into cryo to save his life, but even in this state had limited time. So they didn't have time to launch a probe. Also, he was willing to take this last chance to save his life. Money is no object to filthy rich people. I thought he was so desperate that anything was better than nothing. I guess he saw this as his last chance of living.

Originally Posted by duggie walker

And then we're supposed to believe that it was actually

[Show spoiler]a ruse to get us to go to their weapons planet? Because that's where this "map" takes us - not to their home planet but to their weapons facility. Why didn't they just come and visit us? Oh - wait a minute - that's what their plan is. So we get "invited" to their weapons plant so we can see them fly back here?

I didn't get this at all. In fact there are many ways to interpret this part of the film. One was

[Show spoiler]that the aliens were warning us not to go to this planet. You are assuming that the aliens that created us are the same aliens we are seeing trying to destroy us. In fact they could have been the first race the god aliens created. This race which we see in the movie may have killed off that original god alien race (which is hinted at with some of the dialogue - and makes sense, since the god alien race doesn't visit us again after ancient times). Then that same group of aliens tried to wipe out every trace that their creators left. But unfortunately, before they could launch the assault on earth and other planets, their own weapon backfired on them.

Another possibility, is that that the

[Show spoiler]creators simply changed their minds. Maybe at first they wanted all their creation to come visit one day. But something changed their minds on this (possibly one group of their creations tried to wipe them out for example). So they then decided to wipe out what they created. But before they could their own weapon backfired on them.

Plus there are so many other possibilities. I am sure we will find out in the sequel.

[R1V3R5]

Originally Posted by Lopan

[Show spoiler]This was not Vicker's quarters. It was Weyland's and Vickers was just using it. Big hint when Shaw asks for a C-section from the medical pod, it told her this pod was designed for a male patient.

Yep, you are right. Forgot that. Realized that last night after I posted that.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by Blu Lemmy

Prometheus, although I loved it, felt like a prequel to a prequel

It was.

It's really just a setup for the movie I want to see.

[Blu Lemmy]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

It was.

It's really just a setup for the movie I want to see.

Lets hope they can get it spot on

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by Grumpz

The "headdress" on the mural Alien screams Queen.

It's not a headdress, it's simply background art. The foreground of the image clearly shows a regular xenomorph. Structurally, the being is Giger's original design. The queen has more to her than just a fanned out head. She has a barrel-shaped thorax, two additional arms, stands at a crouch, an extended tail, and a huge set of jaws that have a mild underbite look to them (to give her a Frankenstein-like appearance).

The mural has none of those features. Regular xeno.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by BouCoupDinkyDau

It's not a headdress, it's simply background art. The foreground of the image clearly shows a regular xenomorph. Structurally, the being is Giger's original design. The queen has more to her than just a fanned out head. She has a barrel-shaped thorax, two additional arms, stands at a crouch, an extended tail, and a huge set of jaws that have a mild underbite look to them (to give her a Frankenstein-like appearance).

The mural has none of those features. Regular xeno.

Considering the fact that the Queen was something added to Alien via Aliens, I bet you your absolutely right. Not even sure if Ridley considers the Queen canon to the overall story.

[TheZoof]

It rocked. Loved it. I hope they continue the story and give us what we all want.


4/5 star. The IMAX images were breathtaking.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by TheZoof

It rocked. Loved it. I hope they continue the story and give us what we all want.


4/5 star. The IMAX images were breathtaking.

Exactly, the fact that it left me want so much more, showed what a great first part it was. I think this film just touched the surface of the overall story. Which is why alot of people are asking WTF happened.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by KarmaNL

Next phase of Project Prometheus

http://www.whatis101112.com/

Wow, they are really digging deep into origin philosophies with these films. I love it.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

Considering the fact that the Queen was something added to Alien via Aliens, I bet you your absolutely right. Not even sure if Ridley considers the Queen canon to the overall story.

I think the creature

[Show spoiler]at the end of the movie is a proto-queen, unintentionally created by mistake by the chain of events that led to it's birth. I think this for a few reasons.

One, it's mouth (when open), resembled the shape of Cameron's queen design, two, because of the odd chain of events that lead to it's birth, three, it's a quasi-xeno design that breaks with canon, four, it violates the original xeno life cycle by skipping the chestburster and going with a full-on bipedal birth.

Some people disliked it because of the

[Show spoiler]design and the change in life cycle rules, but I think that occurred because this is an entirely new organism created out of unusual circumstances. Future queens will be born the standard way.

Just how I see things at this point.

[groove93]

Originally Posted by BouCoupDinkyDau

I think the creature

[Show spoiler]at the end of the movie is a proto-queen, unintentionally created by mistake by the chain of events that led to it's birth. I think this for a few reasons.

One, it's mouth (when open), resembled the shape of Cameron's queen design, two, because of the odd chain of events that lead to it's birth, three, it's a quasi-xeno design that breaks with canon, four, it violates the original xeno life cycle by skipping the chestburster and going with a full-on bipedal birth.

So people disliked it because of the

[Show spoiler]design and the change in life cycle rules, but I think that occurred because this is an entirely new organism created out of unusual circumstances. Future queens will be born the standard way.

Just how I see things at this point.

I have to agree with you on your points about people disliking

[Show spoiler]the use of a different designed Xenomorph. What people are missing out on is the fact that this design is a result of a HUMAN born Facehugger infecting an engineer, which in returned produced a totally different designed Xenomorph. The question is, what comes of the Cylinders in these Ships, and how do they turn into actual Eggs. What will be the process? One more thing, can you really blame Ridley Scott for not using the traditional Xenomorph in his film? I agree, let his has retired to the Florida Keys.

[iamlilc]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

No, it's nonsense. As with all apologists for PROMETHEUS, this guy leapfrogs over the most important gaps in logic. He also manages to insult those of us who see the film for the botch-job it is by yet again accusing us of being unable to think, or to escape comparisons with the first film. In fact, rather than those who didn't think it any good not being able to deal with art that doesn't explain itself, I'd say it highlights the fact that audiences are so inured to idiotic plots and characters, so used to turning-their-brains-off, so distracted by pretty pictures and fx, that they'll gratefully swallow any crap that's served up to them; especially if it flatters them into thinking that they're understanding something profound (see also the idiotic MATRIX sequels, which were defended with the same fervour).

The very premise of the film is thin. They find cave-painting of people pointing at spheres. So then they discover a planetary system that matches it. Well. I'll bet there are thousands of planetary systems that look like five spheres in that configuration. But let's say they narrow it down to one. It's a VAST leap to make the assumption that these are the home planets of beings who created us. I mean, sure, send a probe; but a TRILLION dollar, fully-manned mission? With

[Show spoiler]Weyland on board hoping they might be able to grant him immortality

? Sorry, I don't buy it.

And then we're supposed to believe that it was actually

[Show spoiler]a ruse to get us to go to their weapons planet? Because that's where this "map" takes us - not to their home planet but to their weapons facility. Why didn't they just come and visit us? Oh - wait a minute - that's what their plan is. So we get "invited" to their weapons plant so we can see them fly back here?

There are too many of these questions to list right now but PROMETHEUS is full of them. This is not information being with-held; this is dumb shit that nobody managed to figure out by the time it went into production to meet a rushed-release date.

This guy thinks we've "mistaken" it for bad writing. Well, here's the thing - PROMETHEUS is full of honest-to-goodness bad writing, line by line, moment by moment. Even apologists have to admit that Laurel and Hardy are a couple of the all-time stupidests chumps in movie history. This is bad writing, folks. That's what it looks like. So excuse me if it undermines the case for the rest of the film being some profound, subtle work of genius.

Also, this comparison to reviews of ALIEN (comparisons obviously acceptable when it supports the argument!) is completely bogus. I saw it on release and I remember the press reaction very well. ALIEN was criticised (not without reason) for having very thin characterisation and being basically a hokey old monster-movie; but it was accepted that it was stylistically brilliant. Not for one moment was it accused of being confusing, or ridiculously implausible.

One more thing that this genius seems to miss in his video review. If the opening of the film - which, by the way, catastrophically damages the "alien head" reveal moment - is supposed to mirror the Promethean legend isn't it more likely that the engineer stole the black goo and seeded the earth against his race's wishes. I think that makes more sense.

I could go on but I'll spare us all. There is more wrong than right with PROMETHEUS, imo, and I'm getting to despair that so many people think it's an acceptable piece of work. What's tragic is that another couple of rewrites and it could have really been something great.

I agree with pretty much everything you said, but I went in having a slightly more opened-mind, but still there was a lot of random things that didn't make much sense. That being said, I don't think it was a terrible movie, but it wasn't a great one either.

Reading about a possible director's cut seems about right because I felt like a lot was cut out to make the movie around the 2h mark. There wasn't much character development besides David and the second half seemed like it was rushed.

I really didn't understand why

[Show spoiler]Janek left Fifield (red head) and Millburn (nerd) to fend for themselves down in the caves and not tell anyone that they were near a life form. Plus it was ironic that the one guy Fifield was being a dick to about not being friends, only asked him to go back up to the ship. Also, those 2 were scared and went the other way when Janek told them about the life form, but felt the need to go into the main room and touch the penis looking creature. Did they grow a pair all of a sudden or just assume that this thing was friendly?

As a whole there just seemed like there were too many unanswered questions. I guess it's good discussion, but as a standalone movie it was mediocre at best.

Definitely a slight let down for one of the most anticipated movies this year.

[InCali]

Originally Posted by trombone dixie

A thought...

[Show spoiler]Maybe the Engineers wanted to destroy Earth because they felt we were developing too fast and getting too smart?

Or maybe we're just a bunch of boneheads (no pun intended) who go around screwing everything up....that shouldn't need spoiler tags unless they read yours.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Ridley has said there will not be a director's cut, because the film is what he wanted it to be. We will be getting deleted scenes.

I think a lot of this confusion over "bad writing" and "plot holes" will be cleared up with the sequel. What a lot of people don't seem to understand here is this is one part of a larger story, is thus incomplete, and it left you with questions on purpose.

People these days are so used to having all the answers right away, that the modern moviegoer has forgotten what it is like to actually watch thought provoking sci-fi. This movie feels like a "mess" to some because it's not all nice and tidy. Trust me, if we get the sequel, there are going to be a number of people that will be redefining their take on Prometheus.

I'm glad I was part of the last generation of people that grew up without the internet and cell phones. I can think about what I see and see the connections and ideas that other people can't.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by BouCoupDinkyDau

Ridley has said there will not be a director's cut, because the film is what he wanted it to be. We will be getting deleted scenes.

I think a lot of this confusion over "bad writing" and "plot holes" will be cleared up with the sequel. What a lot of people don't seem to understand here is this is one part of a larger story, is thus incomplete, and it left you with questions on purpose.

People these days are so used to having all the answers right away, that the modern moviegoer has forgotten what it is like to actually watch thought provoking sci-fi. This movie feels like a "mess" to some because it's not all nice and tidy. Trust me, if we get the sequel, there are going to be a number of people that will be redefining their take on Prometheus.

I'm glad I was part of the last generation of people that grew up without the internet and cell phones. I can think about what I see and see the connections and ideas that other people can't.

And if this film was a complete and utter flop? What were we to expect then?

[groove93]

Originally Posted by Foggy

And if this film was a complete and utter flop? What were we to expect then?

Just because a film makes 1 billion Kajillion dollars doesn't mean it was a fantastic film. The Transformers Franchise solidified that notion.

[Foggy]

Damon Lindelof: 'sequel not forgone conclusion'

Source: NME

Prometheus writer Damon Lindelof has warned fans that a sequel might not definitely happen.

The writer, along with director Ridley Scott, have been vocal about their desire to follow up the Alien 'prequel' with another story. Indeed, one of the main criticisms of the film, which opened last week, is that not all of the questions posed are answered.

However, talking to the Hollywood Reporter, Lindelof said the question has weighed heavily on their minds. He said: "Ridley was very interested in talking about, 'What are the answers to the questions that Prometheus is posing that are not necessarily definitively spelled out in the body of Prometheus?'

I said to him, 'We should be prepared for people to feel frustrated if we’re going to be withholding, so we have to be very careful about what we're saving for later', because it's not a foregone conclusion that there are going to be sequels."

Lindelof added that his experience of co-creator of Lost has made him aware of the potential pitfalls of creating a long-running screen mythology. He said, "the audience is given a little more information than the characters in the movie," and added, "it's our hope that fires the imagination enough for them to say, 'I might want to see Prometheus again', or, 'I definitely want to see where this movie takes me'."

He also said that a possible title for a sequel could be Paradise, which was the original working title for Prometheus. You can watch a clip from the movie at the top of the page.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by groove93

Just because a film makes 1 billion Kajillion dollars doesn't mean it was a fantastic film. The Transformers Franchise solidified that notion.

You should learn to read, it'll open up a whole new world for you. I was talking about the fact that this might of not get a sequel like everyone presumes it's going to

[InCali]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

There seems to be a lot of "bending over backwards" to justify how some of the narrative and character motivates don't work at all in this film across the net.

As much as I love Ridley's work, especially his recent stuff, Prometheus just isn't a good flick, when it comes to narrative and character work.

Being vague does not equal being smart and the film is just being vague for vague's sake. And, I don't want to here about "we'll get the answers in the sequel" nonsense because they should've tried to make a complete experience, a complete narrative with this film and worry about the sequel if they actually get one.

In order for this film to even remotely make sense of the mess Lindeof creates, it has to have a sequel and I don't want to have to wait for the main course 3 years from now when we should've gotten with this one.

You can sort of feel this film is at war with itself. Part of it wants to be an original science fiction film. The other part feels like "well, they gave us all this money so we better have some connections to Alien, even though we don't want it" kind of movie.

And what's worse, it's just so damn gorgeous! I mean, this is one of those films where you could literally let the images wash over you and put the volume on mute. That's how great the technical aspects of this film are. Just stunning work.

I'm curious about this extended cut on BD but I don't think that'll help the film. At the end of the day, he takes all the familiar troupes of the Alien franchise and puts them in this film where it feels like we've seen this before and yet, there's an original, different film screaming to get out and it can't.

I think the jury is still out on whether or not "the film is just being vague for vague's sake". You COULD be right, but we just don't know for sure at this point in time. We'll know more in a few years. For now, I'm just enjoying the film (will buy the 3D release first day) and will watch it again.

BTW, I saw it at a (real) IMAX in 3D and it didn't seem too dark or ruin the cinematography for me in the least...far from it. Here's where I agree with you and I don't think there's a lot of debate on this point. Visually, this film was spectacular. Maybe people who are complaining about the 3D ruining the visuals went to one of those theaters using the circular (Real 3D) glasses and not the linear filter glasses ("real" IMAX)?? I've also heard that some theaters turn down the lamp output....