Prometheus the movie

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Hi,

For those of us who like chomping xenomorphs, chest-bursters, treacherous androids, ruthless CEOs and all that (I do), this movie is on tonight 20.30 on 10.

Being an engineer myself (different sort tho) I've always liked that description of the dead one found in the original Alien movie. Sort of like the Yardbirds' "Roger the Engineer".

Here we find out more.

Cheers

[Octane (Humayun)]

The only good thing about that movie is the opening sequence.

And, the special effects later on.

H

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

The movie wasn't bad but it wasn't that great either. It is annoying that it has been 2 years since the movies release and there still isn't a sequel to finish the story, only rumours of a sequel. Scott must have taken a leaf out of the JJ Abrams book of movie sequel productions (i.e. delay the sequel release as long as possible). I read a while ago that Scott didn't know how to finish the story...now he must have gone to the Lucas school of movie sequel production.

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Was so disappointing I though it could have been so much better and with the leaking of the original draft (Alien: Engineers) it turns out that it originally would have been. The script was heavily modified by a different writer and that kind of explains the modification (rather than re-write) caused so many plot holes.. would have been great if they did it right.

http://io9.com/5960275/what-did-damo...original-draft

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/59579

[BPO]

Originally Posted by rustigsmed

The script was heavily modified by a different writer...

Ah, yes... That'd be Damon 'Incoherent Equals Mysterious' Lindelof.

Truly, Prometheus was an opportunity Lost.

[LewisM]

Prometheus is deep - but it requires a LOT of thought and self-gap filling. Lindelof FUBAR'd it, Spaight's script was significantly better. As it is, it is controversial and questions a lot of beliefs. If you went in there expecting the horrors and stark reality of Alien (or even the Rambo-esque Aliens), you would be severely disappointed (I was the first time I saw it, being an Alien freak). If you watch it AGAIN, with an open mind, looking for clues given and the subtle nuances (that stare you in the face when you know what to look for!), it's VERY deep, VERY challenging and VERY thought provoking. The acting was, for the most part, dreadful (Charlize and Rapace excluded), there were WAY too many cuts made to "dumb it down" for the US market (which made it WORSE), and opportunities were lost (like the transformation of Fifield, which originally showed him as half-Xenomorph, but was post-edited into the "burn victim" Fifield instead).

Scott made some fundamental errors (revision of the opening scene for starters - that is the most profound image in cinema I have seen in a LONG time, and it was even better before alteration), and he SHOULD release a Director's cut with the deleted scenes, but he is reluctant to, stating the original is his Director's Cut (BS IMHO)

Best news I ever heard was when Lindelof said he would not be doing the Prometheus sequel (which is now on hold whilst Scott does The Martian instead)

[multiweb (Marc)]

Saw it at the movies when it came out and was a little disappointed. It seemed like a cut down version. Went online and read all the reviews trying to make sense of it. Later I got the Bluray with all the deleted scenes and youtubed a few interviews of Ridley Scott. It makes a lot of sense now. But they've cut down so many things in the original theatre version that it didn't make amy sense at all at the time. Way too sketchy. Looking forward to part II, paradise.

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by Octane

The only good thing about that movie is the opening sequence.

And, the special effects later on.

H

I agree. I just rewatched it and it really lacks a decent plot. The ship crew is highly unreal in that its supposedly a trillion dollar ship piloted by morons and highly undisciplined idiots. They wake up an alien that is 2.5 times the size of a human with no security first. The ship was a great effect though and as you say the bit at the start.

Greg.

[Neil]

A sequel to a prequel, it's bound to happen. Remember they made 4 Aliens, who knows, is Siquorney Weaver too old?

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Oh I don't know... The abortion scene was appropriately shocking/horrific and Michael Fassbender made a great android. Overall I quite liked it, but crikey there's some serious writing work ahead if Ridley Scott wants to make a sequel that ties it all together in the Alienverse.
Cheers
Andy

[el_draco (Rom)]

Thought it was pretty good myself. Certainly different.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

I agree. I just rewatched it and it really lacks a decent plot. The ship crew is highly unreal in that its supposedly a trillion dollar ship piloted by morons and highly undisciplined idiots. They wake up an alien that is 2.5 times the size of a human with no security first. The ship was a great effect though and as you say the bit at the start.

Greg.

Yes, the moronic crew destroyed it for me. Are American explorers really that stupid?, or are all Amercans like that?

[Paul Haese]

As a genre I really love sci fi and never ever really let the story line or acting affect the enjoyment I get from the concepts or the spectacle of the special affects. For me sci fi talks about the normative questions about life and what we should do. Expecting it to be like a drama performance is probably expecting too much.

Personally I liked the movie and have watched it several times just for the enjoyment.

[Steffen]

Originally Posted by Bassnut

Yes, the moronic crew destroyed it for me. Are American explorers really that stupid?, or are all Amercans like that?

I see your point. However, as a cosmopolitan I strongly object to the point you're making. But it's a good point...

Cheers
Steffen.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Lewis I am impressed ! good review , you hit the nail on the head on this , one Alien freak to another and yes 'Dumbing it down' was a big mistake . Such a shame .
Brian.

Originally Posted by LewisM

Prometheus is deep - but it requires a LOT of thought and self-gap filling. Lindelof FUBAR'd it, Spaight's script was significantly better. As it is, it is controversial and questions a lot of beliefs. If you went in there expecting the horrors and stark reality of Alien (or even the Rambo-esque Aliens), you would be severely disappointed (I was the first time I saw it, being an Alien freak). If you watch it AGAIN, with an open mind, looking for clues given and the subtle nuances (that stare you in the face when you know what to look for!), it's VERY deep, VERY challenging and VERY thought provoking. The acting was, for the most part, dreadful (Charlize and Rapace excluded), there were WAY too many cuts made to "dumb it down" for the US market (which made it WORSE), and opportunities were lost (like the transformation of Fifield, which originally showed him as half-Xenomorph, but was post-edited into the "burn victim" Fifield instead).

Scott made some fundamental errors (revision of the opening scene for starters - that is the most profound image in cinema I have seen in a LONG time, and it was even better before alteration), and he SHOULD release a Director's cut with the deleted scenes, but he is reluctant to, stating the original is his Director's Cut (BS IMHO)

Best news I ever heard was when Lindelof said he would not be doing the Prometheus sequel (which is now on hold whilst Scott does The Martian instead)

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

As a genre I really love sci fi and never ever really let the story line or acting affect the enjoyment I get from the concepts or the spectacle of the special affects. For me sci fi talks about the normative questions about life and what we should do. Expecting it to be like a drama performance is probably expecting too much.

Personally I liked the movie and have watched it several times just for the enjoyment.

Agreed. Got to let go of reality and common sense in Sci-fi. Dream a bit. Don't expect too much.

[LewisM]

Originally Posted by multiweb

Agreed. Got to let go of reality and common sense in Sci-fi. Dream a bit. Don't expect too much.

A la pointe precise!

Sure, it's flawed as a movie, but the premise and ideas explored - yet so easily ignored or even not understood by MANY - are profound.

My only real complaint - apart from 90% atrocious actors - was that Scott could have/should have used MORE of Geiger's old concepts. The Sphinx dome was only BARELY imaged (and cuts away too quickly, many not even realising it is a human skull representation weathered away on top like the Sphinx), the murals in the tomb were fleeting (which makes us fanboys pause the film to explore what is depicted, which is VERY involving when you see it, and explains a LOT of the film!).

Whether subtle nuances or just inappropriate editing and script, the premise was there for a ground breaker that, unfortunately, did not happen. Close, but no cigar. Plus, I feel Scott's editors and financiers feared if he showed everything that WAS there, in detail, that the religious fanaticism in the US would have severely hampered the film (which it did to some extent still anyway).

[Neil]

Hmm.....maybe I should watch it again and pause and explore it in greater detail , you've inspired me, I'll watch it again this weekend, clear skies. Thanks LewisM.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by multiweb

Agreed. Got to let go of reality and common sense in Sci-fi. Dream a bit. Don't expect too much.

Yeah, I agree Marc, sci-fi is meant to be entertainment, as you say, to dream a bit, and shouldn't be analysed, but then, I am not a 'movie critic'.

It has no meaning beyond some fanciful fun and like you, I suspend reality for a while and just enjoy it. I love nearly all sci-fi as appeals to my vivid imagination.

Who wants to live in the real world anyway.