P R O M E T H E U S |OT| Ridley Scott goes back to Building Better Worlds

Status
Not open for further replies.
Spoiler free. I came across a big spoiler in one review unfortunately but removed it for you guys. The spoiler tagged line in this one is a minor.

The Hollywood Reporter
Technically, Prometheus is magnificent,” wrote Todd McCarthy at The Hollywood Reporter, praising the film’s “graceful and vivid cinematography,” convincing effects and judicious use of 3D. The trouble is, McCarthy said, that Prometheus “caters too much to imagined audience expectations when a little more adventurous thought might have taken it to some excitingly unsuspected destinations.”
Initially, the film has a philosophical, thoughtful tone, but when the aliens arrive, things become rather less thoughtful – and considerably more gruesome.

Variety.
"Ridley Scott's first sci-fier in three decades since Blade Runner remains earthbound in narrative terms, forever hinting at the existence of a higher intelligence without evincing much of its own" ...
"Yet a key difference between this film and its predecessor is one of volume. Incongruously backed by an orchestral surge of a score, the film conspicuously lacks the long, drawn-out silences and sense of menace in close quarters that made Alien so elegantly unnerving. Prometheus is one chatty vessel, populated by stock wise-guy types who spout tired one-liners when they're not either cynically debunking or earnestly defending belief in a superior power."

Scott and his production crew compensate to some degree with an intricate, immersive visual design that doesn’t skimp on futuristic eye-candy or prosthetic splatter… Also providing flickers of engagement are the semi-provocative ideas embedded in Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof’s screenplay. The continual discussions of creation vs. creator, and the attitude of one toward the other, supply the film with a philosophical dimension that its straightforward space-opera template doesn’t have the bandwidth to fully explore.

Screen Daily.
"It has been three decades since Ridley Scott last dipped his directorial toe in science-fiction territory (with 1982’s Blade Runner), but with his fantasy epic Prometheus it is clear his striking sense of vision, drama and excitement fits perfectly with the genre. While Prometheus has some striking chilling moments it never plays the all-out horror card, instead developing the science alongside the action and punctuating the film with moments that jolt and amaze. And he has delivered a film that is already one of the most anticipated titles of the summer and should thrill, challenge and provoke audiences ready for his signature brand of intelligent and visceral film-making."

Ridley Scott is a master when it comes to visualisation of the environment his stories are set against, and it is clear from the majestic opening scenes of Prometheus as his camera traverses an alien planet (in truth a blend of Icelandic vistas with more than a little CGI).

One thing that Prometheus isn’t is an Alien-clone. Alien – despite that it may feel slowly-paced set against current editing styles – was a film that embraced its horror-in-space format, and after a slow-burn set up and magnificent central gore moment as the mini-alien bursts from John Hurt’s chest settled into a brilliantly shot monster movie before Sigourney Weaver’s final memorable battle. While Prometheus has some striking chilling moments it never plays the all-out horror card, instead developing the science alongside the action and punctuating the film with moments that jolt and amaze.

…Alienfans will be on the look out for horror scenes that are variations on the theme of the ‘chest-buster’ or ‘face-hugger’ in the original film, and while in Prometheus things are never played for pure horror, there are some brilliantly staged scenes that will make audiences jump and squirm.

The effects are brilliantly woven into Scott’s film, with cinematographer Dariusz Wolksi delivering some beautiful moments (the 3D is also very easy on the eye, and never too dark), while the production design from Arthur Max and Janty Yates’s costumes help give the film that real sense of a sci-fi epic. A Ridley Scott film is always perfectly shot, intelligently edited and easy on the eye, and Prometheus is no different.
Click to expand...
 
Hollywood Reporter reads like a 3/4 out of 5:

The Bottom Line
A visually stunning return to science-fiction by Ridley Scott caters too much to audience expectations when more imaginative boldness would have taken it further.
Click to expand...

EDIT: FUCK YOUUUUUUU
 
Alex Billington ‏@firstshowing
Video blog with @slashfilm on our initial #Prometheus thoughts has been recorded & uploaded. Posting in 1.5 hours - stay tuned!

Should be interesting.
 
Good Job Bob said:
Peter Sciretta ‏@slashfilm
I've been given the go ahead. I can tell you I've seen Prometheus and I can confirm that it is awesome.

Steven Weintraub ‏@colliderfrosty
#PROMETHEUS is the type of big budget sci-fi that studios rarely make. Extremely well done. Don't read reviews. Just go see it.

Alex Billington ‏@firstshowing
I just saw #Prometheus last night - it was AWESOME. Loved it. Truly breathtaking, incredible, spectacular, thrilling sci-fi at its best.

Andrew Freund ‏@andrewfreund
Saw @PrometheusMovie last night and it was PHENOMENAL!! A new sci fi epic has been born!! Interviewing the cast today! #prometheus #movies
Click to expand...

Plants!!!
 
Here's the link to a post on Strange Shapes highlighting the many terrible reviews of Alien.

Two of my favorites quotes from Vincent Canby at The New York Times:
Being trendy, Mr. Scott and his associates have sent it up in space. As he demonstrated with The Duellists, his first feature, Mr. Scott is a very stylish director. Though Alien is not the seminal science-fiction film one wants from him, it's executed with a good deal of no-nonsense verve.
Click to expand...

Alien's sets and special effects are well done, but these things no longer surprise or tantalize us as they once did. In a very short time, science-fiction films have developed their own jargon that's now become a part of the grammar of film. You know the sort of stuff I mean — the shots of blinking instrument panels, of wildly bleeping computers, of cryptic messages clattering in square type-faces across television screens. There's also the obligatory shot of that huge space vehicle early on in every film. It appears from over our right shoulder, passes over our head and then proceeds slowly and majestically toward the far distance at screen-left. When I first saw it in 2001, it was awesome. Now it makes me feel like a turtle on a busy though unnaturally quiet highway.
Click to expand...

That second one could probably be inserted into a Prometheus review, with little alteration, and no one would question it.
 
VistraNorrez said:
Here's the link to a post on Strange Shapes highlighting the many terrible reviews of Alien.

Two of my favorites quotes from Vincent Canby at The New York Times:

That second one could probably be inserted into a Prometheus review, with little alteration, and no one would question it.
Click to expand...

Heh, these are funny to read in 2012. Exactly why people really shouldn't worry about these initial Prometheus reviews. Hell, look at the love Speed Racer gets around GAF and that movie was treated harshly to say the least. Make up your own minds.
 
DihcarEM said:
Saw it this morning, movie was just plain awesome. Cant wait for other people to see it, there is so much to talk about.
Click to expand...

Next Friday.

After being burned by supposed good movies that were actually horrible IMO (Hunger Games, Cabin in the Woods, Avengers to a lesser extent) I'm ready for good filmmaking again.

Hell the only two movies I've liked this year have been The Woman in Black and American Reunion.
 
brandonh83 said:
Next Friday.

After being burned by supposed good movies that were actually horrible IMO (Hunger Games, Cabin in the Woods, Avengers to a lesser extent) I'm ready for good filmmaking again.

Hell the only two movies I've liked this year have been The Woman in Black and American Reunion.
Click to expand...

Indeed, if this isn't the best film I've seen this year I'll be so disappointed.
 
Don'tBeWeird said:
Indeed, if this isn't the best film I've seen this year I'll be so disappointed.
Click to expand...

I've warmed up to The Avengers, mainly because I felt ridiculous for being so hard on a movie that was about having a shitload of comic book heroes in it, and it was fun. Still not what I would really call a good movie, but it succeeds I guess at being what it was meant to be. The action was well done, effects were good, and a share of the dialogue was memorable. So I've backpedaled somewhat on the hate.

Hunger Games was just dreadfully mediocre and stale. I am so ready for this movie.
 
brandonh83 said:
Next Friday.

After being burned by supposed good movies that were actually horrible IMO (Hunger Games, Cabin in the Woods, Avengers to a lesser extent) I'm ready for good filmmaking again.

Hell the only two movies I've liked this year have been The Woman in Black and American Reunion.
Click to expand...
Yeah, i don't have that problem. It's only a very few select movies that can massively disappoint me. Prometheus was the first this year and it delivered big time, i really hope it's a succes so Ridley can make the sequel. Next up is the Dark Knight Rises.

I'm sure there are going to be people that dislike Prometheus, there always are. Alien and Aliens are my favorite, i hate/dislike Alien3/Alien4.
I thought Avengers was decent for what it was.

On another note, wikipedia has Ridley's wife Giannina Facio listed for Prometheus but i simply do not remember seeing her. Most likely her scene is in the 17minutes that was cut. She previously played Maximus's wife in Gladiator and Saladin's sister in Kingdom of heaven.
 
brandonh83 said:
Next Friday.

After being burned by supposed good movies that were actually horrible IMO (Hunger Games, Cabin in the Woods, Avengers to a lesser extent) I'm ready for good filmmaking again.

Hell the only two movies I've liked this year have been The Woman in Black and American Reunion.
Click to expand...

Oh come on man.
 
Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm): I’ve been given the go ahead. I can tell you I’ve seen Prometheus and I can confirm that it is awesome. Not only is it thrilling, but it leaves you asking questions. (remember, @DamonLindelof is involved after all). The 3D looked great, and the film is visually stunning. Sadly, every trailer/tv spot gives away the story’s biggest “twist”, but I think the movie is enjoyable regardless. Michael Fassbender is amazing, stealing every scene he’s in.

Alex Billington (?@firstshowing): I just saw ?#Prometheus? last night – it was AWESOME. Loved it. Truly breathtaking, incredible, spectacular, thrilling sci-fi at its best. There’s a lot of freaky, disgusting, tense moments, but not outright ‘scare the shit out of me’ personally. You’ll dig.

Evan Dickson: So I can’t run a review just yet – but I can say that PROMETHEUS is really good. It’s simultaneously what you’re expecting and not what you’re expecting. Has some great moments. And not everything has been spoiled by the trailers. Still a bunch of surprises. It also requires you to engage and think along with it – you have to participate, which I like. My review is still under embargo and I might wait until tomorrow after I’ve seen the film again to write it. But I was not disappointed.

Larry Carroll? (@LarryCarroll): Other folks are blabbing, told I can too. “Prometheus” is the best Alien installment in decades; still, can’t touch the first 2 flicks. Fassbender steals every scene he’s in. Idris Elba also great. Beautifully shot, at least one instant classic scene. Leaves u wanting sequel.

Robbie Collin? (@robbiereviews): PROMETHEUS is, um, absolutely nuts. Not perfect by a stretch but there are ideas here you wouldn’t expect a studio to touch with a 10ft pole

Tom Wells (?@TomWellsLSF): Just seen @UK_Prometheus. People, prepare to have your minds blown! Only one thing wrong with it- I WANT MORE! Still can’t quite believe how good @UK_Prometheus is! One of the best I’ve seen in ages! Gotta see it again! ?#Prometheus? ?#AreYouSeeingThis?

Andrew Freund ?(@andrewfreund): Saw @PrometheusMovie last night and it was PHENOMENAL!! A new sci fi epic has been born!! Interviewing the cast today! My mind=blown. Phenomenal

Edward Douglas (@EDouglasWW): I’ve been given permission to say that I’ve seen Prometheus and I actually liked it quite a bit. Even seeing it again tomorrow!

Mark Adams (ScreenDaily): …with his fantasy epic Prometheus it is clear his striking sense of vision, drama and excitement fits perfectly with the genre and he has delivered a film that is already one of the most anticipated titles of the summer and should thrill, challenge and provoke audiences ready for his signature brand of intelligent and visceral film-making. … One thing that Prometheus isn’t is an Alien-clone. Alien – despite that it may feel slowly-paced set against current editing styles – was a film that embraced its horror-in-space format, and after a slow-burn set up and magnificent central gore moment as the mini-alien bursts from John Hurt’s chest settled into a brilliantly shot monster movie before Sigourney Weaver’s final memorable battle. While Prometheus has some striking chilling moments it never plays the all-out horror card, instead developing the science alongside the action and punctuating the film with moments that jolt and amaze. … It is Michael Fassbender, though, who perhaps has the most fun in Prometheus.

cenoctet: Prometheus is a must-see for fans of the Alien and a very good movie for lovers of sci-fi. See the movies is even more addictive. After, if you do not like the long explorations without a ton of action and you’re a hardcore Catholic, do not come to complain, you’ve been warned!

sallesobscures: But Prometheus is above all an atmosphere and in this we revel in the heavy atmosphere which settles on the film, the tension palpable, suspicions, questions, fears and fears. With Ridley Scott is not doing in the half-measure and the film leaves you no respite, 2 hours of pure entertainment with stunning picture. Rarely has more beautiful, more special effects push the limits of nconcevable if we return to the origins of Alien in 1979. A feast for the eyes and oreilels, because if the ship, sets, monsters will you take off the ward, what about the sound environment just daunting. Explosions, vessel noise, a sound environment and stunning musical theme sublime back from time to time in the film.

effets-speciaux: Let’s go straight into the heart of the matter: yes do not worry, PROMETHEUS is a great achievement. This is by far the prequel to the smartest and best realized that we have ever seen!

Clap Magazine: From the prologue, Prometheus hits hard, very hard. Visually in total harmony with its 3D. A rarity these days where the business case as it annoys stain. None of that here. The film is designed in three dimensions and marks after Avatar a new stage. The depth of each scene, travel in space or even this cascade pre-generic exploit the full potential of the technique providing the sensation of immersion in an advanced alien universe. Future technology is based on the hologram, the image projection in space (ie the frame) and Ridley makes his first ally. Idea necessarily already present in many SF movies but printed here as ever on film. The technical challenge is required and is an evidence as a new benchmark.

Sci-Fi Universe: Prometheus will everyone agree on the beauty of the images. It seems difficult to see someone tackle the film in this area. Prometheus is just perfect in terms of image design, this means that the sense of framing, the esthetic, what the meaning of everything shown on the screen. Ridley Scott is a genius in this field, and it is the top of his game on this film.

Screen Play: If the scenario is not very clear and could be subject to criticism, the success graph is absolutely not in question. The film is absolutely gorgeous and was shot in 3D, it is one of the most beautiful view on the screen. Similarly, the design of the various monsters is impressive realism. Sporting a refreshing simplicity and a mounting classy and extremely effective, it is a real treat for the eyes.

blockbustermania: As a viewer who loves blockbusters, you’ll like Prometheus. If you know Alien, you may also like Prometheus. But if you’re a fan of Ridley Scott and Prometheus as the expected Messiah, the disappointment may be at the rendezvous. But it’s still a good movie to see, but not the masterpiece which was expected…

critique-film: Prometheus is a great film. However it shows a bit disappointing since we were expecting something amazing and innovative. In reality it is a true prequel to Alien, ultra referenced and obedient to a very precise specifications, ranging from the metaphysical concepts to pure horror, while ensuring the fan service. Aside from this disappointment, we can say that Prometheus is a bomb.

Film Culte: Disappointing, obviously disappointing. Thirty-three years later, Ridley Scott returns to the sources of the sprawling universe he had created in Alien. A prequel, then, but who does not know where to turn. Constantly hesitating between a sci-fi original (and beautifully brought to life) and a reinterpretation of the origins of the myth, Prometheus is dispersed among its too many questions (some intriguing) and choke points that attempt to illuminate the mystery of each first film. The worst part is that you realize that the end is a prequel of prequel, and that the film alone will not build at all. The screenplay, co-written by the always cryptic Damon Lindelof (Lost), is lyrical at first, but terribly rough on the end. A broken promise by Scott, who, despite his immense talent visual, failed to capture the terror that made the enigmatic force that remains as one of his masterpieces.



Justin Chang (Variety): Elaborately conceived from a visual standpoint, Ridley Scott’s first sci-fier in the three decades since “Blade Runner” remains earthbound in narrative terms, forever hinting at the existence of a higher intelligence without evincing much of its own. … Yet a key difference between this film and its predecessor is one of volume. Incongruously backed by an orchestral surge of a score, the film conspicuously lacks the long, drawn-out silences and sense of menace in close quarters that made “Alien” so elegantly unnerving. Prometheus is one chatty vessel, populated by stock wise-guy types who spout tired one-liners when they’re not either cynically debunking or earnestly defending belief in a superior power. The picture’s very structure serves to disperse rather than build tension

Todd McCarthy (The Hollywood Reporter): A visually stunning return to science-fiction by Ridley Scott caters too much to audience expectations when more imaginative boldness would have taken it further. Ridley Scott’s third venture into science-fiction, after Alien in 1979 and Blade Runner in 1982, won’t become a genre benchmark like those classics despite its equivalent seriousness and ambition, but it does supply enough visual spectacle, tense action and sticky, slithery monster attacks to hit the spot with thrill-seeking audiences worldwide.
 
brandonh83 said:
What? Loved the atmosphere, thought it had an okay story and very long bouts of tension.

I mean basically when you share any opinion on the internet, someone out there will disagree. :p
Click to expand...

I just really thought it sucked. Really dull, lots of NOTHING happening for most of the film, full of cheap shocks that do nothing to or for me. Only worthwhile things about that movie were the ending (just the idea of it, not really the execution) and that it scared the hell out of the girl I watched it with. :lol
 
Blader5489 said:
I just thought it sucked. Really dull, lots of NOTHING happening for most of the film, wasn't really interesting, full of cheap shocks that do nothing to/for me. Only worthwhile things about that movie were the ending (just the idea of it, not really the execution) and that it scared the hell out of the girl I watched it with. :lol
Click to expand...

I liked the "dull, nothing happening" because to me that was the director showing restraint and building tension. Horror... remains subjective.
 
Lots of good impressions and disappointments from the people who expected a masterpiece.

People, set your expectations to neutral! (It works wonders with many other things too)
 
brandonh83 said:
I liked the "dull, nothing happening" because to me that was the director showing restraint and building tension. Horror... remains subjective.
Click to expand...

Admittedly, I'm not really a fan of the genre anyway. I don't scare easily at all, so without that kind of thrill, there's really nothing for me to get out of these movies. That's why I love Alien, it's one of the few horror movies that actually makes me feel tense and is actually a good movie.
 
Blader5489 said:
Admittedly, I'm not really a fan of the genre anyway. I don't scare easily at all, so without that kind of thrill, there's really nothing for me to get out of these movies. That's why I love Alien, it's one of the few horror movies that actually makes me feel tense and is actually a good movie.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. my favorite moments in a horror movie is literally when "nothing" is happening because for me it establishes a sense of anything being able to happen at any given moment. It comes as no surprise that my favorite films in the genre are made up of Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, Halloween, etc. For me horror works best when it is quiet, eerie, and suggestive rather than up front and forced.
 
K i've seen the movie!

Spoilering my opinion i guess.

It doesn't feel like any of the alien movies, but it is a prequel, it just feels really weird but i thought it was alright but not as great as the Alien movie that he made

As a global note i think i'd give it a
7/10 (but maybe a 6)
 
Good Job Bob said:
Evan Dickson: So I can’t run a review just yet – but I can say that PROMETHEUS is really good. It’s simultaneously what you’re expecting and not what you’re expecting. Has some great moments. And not everything has been spoiled by the trailers. Still a bunch of surprises. It also requires you to engage and think along with it – you have to participate, which I like. My review is still under embargo and I might wait until tomorrow after I’ve seen the film again to write it. But I was not disappointed.
Click to expand...

This is probably the one that boosted my hype the most out of that bunch, it's really good to know that the last trailer didn't fully spoil everything.
 
When did this become a horror instead of a sci-fi movie? I want this movie to pen my mind and create new ideas and experience some amazing creativity...... i do NOT want to be sitting in a theater waiting for the next scene that was supposed to scare me. I'm in this for the aliens, not the monsters.
 
fifasnipe2224 said:
When did this become a horror instead of a sci-fi movie? I want this movie to pen my mind and create new ideas and experience some amazing creativity...... i do NOT want to be sitting in a theater waiting for the next scene that was supposed to scare me. I'm in this for the aliens, not the monsters.
Click to expand...

Well, horror is such a broad term. I would definitely classify most of the footage I've seen in the trailers as a type of horror.
 
fifasnipe2224 said:
When did this become a horror instead of a sci-fi movie? I want this movie to pen my mind and create new ideas and experience some amazing creativity...... i do NOT want to be sitting in a theater waiting for the next scene that was supposed to scare me. I'm in this for the aliens, not the monsters.
Click to expand...
WTF?

Have you seen Alien? I expect the tone will be very similar. A horror movie, but filled with interesting SF concepts and imaginative production-design/art-direction.
 
Looks like I was right to temper my expectations if the reviews are anything to go by. I'll be there day 1 though just because I'm really interested in this movie.
 
I think Bradshaw's an awful reviewer so it's one of the lesser reviews for me that I'd pay attention to. I remember him giving Inglourious Basterds 1/5, I was so confused with his review. Just said Brad Pitt was loud really.
 
The horror aspect was quite tame. I felt that the theme of the movie was
creation/evolution
, in that sense i think this movie is closer to Blade Runner then Alien. Which for me isn't a bad thing since that's what interests me. Thankfully Ridley didn't try to recreate Alien/Aliens.
 
Just saw it. It was... okay. Really liked the setting, aesthetics and cinematography, but the rest was kind of disappointing. Aside from Fassbender's David, the characters are far from interesting and the plot never feels "complete"; too many questions, few satisfying answers. The music sticks out like a sore thumb, and often reminded me of a sub-John Williams adventure score. Great setpieces though.

It will sure be interesting to discuss it with you guys.
 
Telegraph gives it 4/5, better written than the Guardian one.

This line in the Guardian sticks out as being shite:

It lacks the central killer punch of Alien; it doesn't have its satirical brilliance and its tough, rationalist attack on human agency and human guilt
Click to expand...

For the life of me I can't see what he worked out from Alien.
 
Non spoilerific impression from Reddit:

Friends, being a lucky french citizen, I was able to see Prometheus for its first showing earlier today.
I'll try to sum up my thoughts here: this movie is, in various ways, flawed. A few visual aspects of are mediocre at best
(some prosthetics, make-up, even a few CGI shots), and the scripts contains some issues of its own.

Now that this is out of the way, there is one thing you have to know: those few flaws are literraly NOTHING compared
to the overall quality of the movie. The photography is off the charts. Michael Fassbender is downright incredible.
Theron and Rapace get their chances to shine, too.

And the music. Oh God the music. A beautifully written score, totally unexpected for this kind of movies in this day and age.
Definitely helps bringing the movie to a whole new level. Now, the horror and gruesomeness: not as brutal as I expected visually.
But fuck, when Scott was talking about "philosophical horror", he was not kidding. This goes beyond not only what I was
expecting, but also what most fans have been debating in the past few months.

Concerning the Alien mythos: I don't know what I can say without spoiling stuff, but the implications are pretty huge.
We're probably looking at the birth of a new franchise here; and if so, I'll be dying to see what comes next.
Oh, before I send this, there's another thing that bugged me though.
The movie does a great job pleasing the Alien fans, but might seem a bit hard to approach for a more mainstream audience.
But, well... worked for me :-)
Anyways, fire away if you have any question. I'll remain spoiler-free until the 8th of June !
Click to expand...

http://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/uc08o/so_i_just_saw_prometheus_heres_a_quick/
 
Sotha Sil said:
Just saw it. It was... okay. Really liked the setting, aesthetics and cinematography, but the rest was kind of disappointing. Aside from Fassbender's David, the characters are far from interesting and the plot never feels "complete"; too many questions, few satisfying answers. The music sticks out like a sore thumb, and often reminded me of a sub-John Williams adventure score. Great setpieces though.

It will sure be interesting to discuss it with you guys.
Click to expand...

Lindelof strikes again. :p
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, an underrated masterpiece, was released 20 years ago today
30
423
Madflavor replied
Sweden makes paying for e-thots illegal
2
77
525
Wimbledon replied
Ridley Scott interview - sharks in the colosseum, Maximus returning from the afterlife to kill Jesus Christ, asleep at the wheel for Prometheus
45
3K
dem replied
Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven is an overwhelming spectacle
32
4K
aerts1js replied
Daisy Ridley is...Cleaner
2
71
5K
GymWolf replied
Top Bottom