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P R O M E T H E U S |OT| Ridley Scott goes back to Building Better Worlds
- Thread starter SCULLIBUNDO
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Angry Fork
Member
The problem is the trailers gave off the impression that it would be Alien and would be more horror-oriented than it was, it was disingenuous. It wasn't even really action oriented it was just a weird mix mash of things and didn't go all the way on either side. When I think of action sci-fi I think of Terminator 2 (which didn't happen here obviously) and when I think of tense anticipating horror I think of Ripley going down dark silent corridors in Alien (which didn't happen here either, at least not to the extent people were hoping for).
Not only that but the characters were dumb as shit and half of them pointless. I don't mind action/sci-fi as long as everything works properly but this movie definitely felt messy.
finished watching it about 2 hrs ago. I need MORE transition footage, where are they~!?!?!?
Agree with trailer being spoiler(thank god I only watched the 1st one and did not re-watch since so I didn't remember as much), and Ebert review is huge spoiler (which I also skipped thankfully).
Not sure if I want a sequel or not, will it be better than my own imagination working?
I like it, especially since I went in with dialed down expectations; it just didn't blow me away, I feel like there were wasted potentials. I can't shake the feeling that it could have been more, like 20~30min more.
I'm on the fence about the creatures, I don't know what I expected, maybe.....more wows?
Agree with trailer being spoiler(thank god I only watched the 1st one and did not re-watch since so I didn't remember as much), and Ebert review is huge spoiler (which I also skipped thankfully).
Not sure if I want a sequel or not, will it be better than my own imagination working?
I like it, especially since I went in with dialed down expectations; it just didn't blow me away, I feel like there were wasted potentials. I can't shake the feeling that it could have been more, like 20~30min more.
I'm on the fence about the creatures, I don't know what I expected, maybe.....more wows?
Joe Shlabotnik
Banned
It's really really really pretty. Probably worth seeing in the theater, in 3D (which I can usually take or leave), just for the eyegasms.
But there's just nothing else here. Besides the many plot holes already enumerated in the thread, it only touches on the "Big Questions" superficially. It doesn't count if you just wave your hand in the general direction of an existential question. I could forgive the nonsensical character motivations and inconsistencies if it made me wonder about anything, but it doesn't. I'm not interested in a movie that asks
I can ask that myself. I'm interested in a movie that has an interesting answer.
But there's just nothing else here. Besides the many plot holes already enumerated in the thread, it only touches on the "Big Questions" superficially. It doesn't count if you just wave your hand in the general direction of an existential question. I could forgive the nonsensical character motivations and inconsistencies if it made me wonder about anything, but it doesn't. I'm not interested in a movie that asks
"Why do we exist?"
I watched Alien and Aliens this week and have seen this movie twice. I've had a day to reflect on it and think the best way to break it down is start with the Pros:
Pros
1. This is as good of a prequel as we could have hoped for given the popularity of the franchise.
It is basically everything that the star wars prequels weren't. The events are tied to the originals, but there aren't any forced associations. It illuminates the past and left me wanting to know even more about that universe's history.
There aren't any young Ripley's introduced; all of the inferences are clean and subtle: serving those who were even moderately familiar with previous movies without alienating new viewers.
2. Casting was spot on.
I understand that there were issues with Theron's contract which prevented her from taking over the role of Shaw, but her performance didn't overshadow any other actors and I fucking loveeeeeeeeeeeeed Noomi. Charlize was perfect for Vickers, I'm so fucking glad that they didn't pull in Jolie. Theron's name was promoted too heavily given how little she was involved in the actual plot, though.
I believed that every one of the specialists were 'new school' (read: irreverent), but still the best in their fields. Given the trend of increasingly dumbed-down, NCIS-esque sci-fi movies, I didn't have to suspend disbelief that these actors were as intelligent as they were presented. Everyone played well off of each other and I can't wait to see these people again.
3. Sci-fi elements
Why I bought my second ticket. Absolutely wonderful. Everything was presented as being near-future-sci-fi, but 100 years younger than the events of Alien. The suits, the tools, the ships, the interfaces; all completely within the realm and reasoning of progressive engineering given the timetable set by Alien 1 and 2. Alien 1-3 were created before the age of CGI, but never felt futurist; everything was pragmatic. Same fucking vibe here.
Every tool was subtly introduced, understated, and no one took the time to spell anything out. There weren't any new toys introduced that became a running theme that saved them in the end.
I would put it into the hard-fi category, myself, but can completely understand that one might disagree.
4. 3d
Best use of 3d to date. Really showed how it could be used. I think even the notorious Roger Ebert is on board.
5. Spectacle
Nerdgasm. Everything about the presentation was minimalist and understated which allowed me to pick out the details. I wasn't beaten over the head with the future.
The scenery and environments were crafted so well that I was instantly lost in that world, eerily similar to the way Alien absorbed me. That scene that shows the Prometheus running along the surface blew my mind -- I had to tell myself that what I was seeing wasn't real.
I ended up writing more than I thought that I would. I gotta go, but you have to see this movie!
Pros
1. This is as good of a prequel as we could have hoped for given the popularity of the franchise.
It is basically everything that the star wars prequels weren't. The events are tied to the originals, but there aren't any forced associations. It illuminates the past and left me wanting to know even more about that universe's history.
There aren't any young Ripley's introduced; all of the inferences are clean and subtle: serving those who were even moderately familiar with previous movies without alienating new viewers.
2. Casting was spot on.
I understand that there were issues with Theron's contract which prevented her from taking over the role of Shaw, but her performance didn't overshadow any other actors and I fucking loveeeeeeeeeeeeed Noomi. Charlize was perfect for Vickers, I'm so fucking glad that they didn't pull in Jolie. Theron's name was promoted too heavily given how little she was involved in the actual plot, though.
I believed that every one of the specialists were 'new school' (read: irreverent), but still the best in their fields. Given the trend of increasingly dumbed-down, NCIS-esque sci-fi movies, I didn't have to suspend disbelief that these actors were as intelligent as they were presented. Everyone played well off of each other and I can't wait to see these people again.
3. Sci-fi elements
Why I bought my second ticket. Absolutely wonderful. Everything was presented as being near-future-sci-fi, but 100 years younger than the events of Alien. The suits, the tools, the ships, the interfaces; all completely within the realm and reasoning of progressive engineering given the timetable set by Alien 1 and 2. Alien 1-3 were created before the age of CGI, but never felt futurist; everything was pragmatic. Same fucking vibe here.
Every tool was subtly introduced, understated, and no one took the time to spell anything out. There weren't any new toys introduced that became a running theme that saved them in the end.
I would put it into the hard-fi category, myself, but can completely understand that one might disagree.
4. 3d
Best use of 3d to date. Really showed how it could be used. I think even the notorious Roger Ebert is on board.
5. Spectacle
Nerdgasm. Everything about the presentation was minimalist and understated which allowed me to pick out the details. I wasn't beaten over the head with the future.
The scenery and environments were crafted so well that I was instantly lost in that world, eerily similar to the way Alien absorbed me. That scene that shows the Prometheus running along the surface blew my mind -- I had to tell myself that what I was seeing wasn't real.
I ended up writing more than I thought that I would. I gotta go, but you have to see this movie!
MidnightCowboy
Member
I just finished watching Alien for the first time, I see weak characters are just an aspect of the series.
boredofcanada
Member
This movie was exactly what I wanted it to be. Don't understand the backlash at all, film was damn good.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Underdeveloped maybe, but entirely believable.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Prometheus had damn good 3D, but it definitely was not the best use of it to date.
Hugo is so far ahead of the pack in that direction.
Hugo >>> Avatar > Prometheus/How to Train Your Dragon
Hugo is so far ahead of the pack in that direction.
Hugo >>> Avatar > Prometheus/How to Train Your Dragon
MidnightCowboy
Member
True that, the characters were definitely way better than Prometheus at least. I enjoyed it quite a bit more thanks to tension actually being present. The more I think about it, without Fassbender Prometheus kind of sucks. Oh well, onto Aliens. I'm hoping for some Terminator status Cameron action.
While I was impressed with the 3D in Hugo overall, I felt a lot of the 3D in Hugo make too many scenes appear as cardboard cutouts. During many of the sequences when the camera was roaming through the buildings in particular.
Prometheus was roughly on par with Avatar, but Cameron's film leveraged 3D better due to the nature of its action and its scale.
You're in luck.
Theres one scene in Prometheus that I think ranks as one of the best 3D shots Ive seen.
The scene were Charlize Theron and Idris Elba are watching the Holo-map while the team is mapping the tunnels, the way it switches perspectives between the map and the characters while keeping the focus really easy to follow and still maintining the same 3D depth was really impressive I thought
The scene were Charlize Theron and Idris Elba are watching the Holo-map while the team is mapping the tunnels, the way it switches perspectives between the map and the characters while keeping the focus really easy to follow and still maintining the same 3D depth was really impressive I thought
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Director's Cut (Special Edition) or bust!
ViewtifulJC
Banned
I envy people who get to watch Aliens for the first time. Theatrical cut, plz. Better pacing, less superfluous scenes.
Price Drop
Member
LOVED this movie. Huge Alien and Aliens fan. Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection I try not to think about.
I like that it ran parallel with the universe instead of straight into it. A direct prequel with the same scares would have been entirely predictable.
Instead we get a lot of questions answered for Alien and a brand new universe to ask new ones. And what a universe it is (especially in 3D) - beautiful production design, theoretical technology, and costume design that has Ridley's approval all over it. On par with Alien in that respect.
The film was always intriguing, felt new, with a tad of familiarity, a really great mix.
Characters were great overall - Shaw, Janek, Vickers, David are standouts. Yes, there are disposable characters, but none (thank God) were created from the pure annoyance of those forgettable peons from Alien 3 and Resurrection.
No, it doesn't provide the answers for everything, but that's the best part of the film. People can constantly debate everything from the Engineer's intentions, the Alien lifecycle, even David, which was the best sci-fi character to come around in a long time.
Also, I was in awe of THAT scene, it's the defining moment and loved every second of it.
I always viewed this as a seperate film removed from the first. But a lot of fans will just relish every nod to Alien throughout.
The only aspect I would have like to see more of is intensity or struggle at its peak, but it's not supposed to be exactly like every other film and I didn't hold that against it (or the trailer).
I think we now have an amazing trilogy - Prometheus, Alien, Aliens. If there's a sequel, hoping there is, this is a really solid footprint to start from.
I like that it ran parallel with the universe instead of straight into it. A direct prequel with the same scares would have been entirely predictable.
Instead we get a lot of questions answered for Alien and a brand new universe to ask new ones. And what a universe it is (especially in 3D) - beautiful production design, theoretical technology, and costume design that has Ridley's approval all over it. On par with Alien in that respect.
The film was always intriguing, felt new, with a tad of familiarity, a really great mix.
Characters were great overall - Shaw, Janek, Vickers, David are standouts. Yes, there are disposable characters, but none (thank God) were created from the pure annoyance of those forgettable peons from Alien 3 and Resurrection.
No, it doesn't provide the answers for everything, but that's the best part of the film. People can constantly debate everything from the Engineer's intentions, the Alien lifecycle, even David, which was the best sci-fi character to come around in a long time.
Also, I was in awe of THAT scene, it's the defining moment and loved every second of it.
I always viewed this as a seperate film removed from the first. But a lot of fans will just relish every nod to Alien throughout.
The only aspect I would have like to see more of is intensity or struggle at its peak, but it's not supposed to be exactly like every other film and I didn't hold that against it (or the trailer).
I think we now have an amazing trilogy - Prometheus, Alien, Aliens. If there's a sequel, hoping there is, this is a really solid footprint to start from.
bob_arctor
Tough_Smooth
Saw it last night, IMAX 3D. Pretty much blew me away. I came away a little overwhelmed, trying to parse through everything I had just seen. Even today, it's still stuck right there in the back of my brain as I piece together the very small things I may have missed. Great sci-fi, visually epic. Definitely worth a second viewing.
BuckRobotron
Member
Said more in the spoiler thread, but simply put, saw it in 3D with a friend (who knows little of the Alien movies) and we both enjoyed it.
SteveMeister
Hang out with Steve.
So only people who loved the movie are sane? ;-)
The movie is okay but very flawed. I think it's mostly due to poor editing. I wonder if Scott second-guessed himself too much. It really felt like some very important scenes were left out. And there really were some flat-out illogical moments, which have already been discussed.
Plus, the soundtrack was terrible -- it may have been musically fine but it just didn't hit the right dramatic tones at the appropriate times, and to me that harmed the movie further.
It's a decent movie. I'll stick by my 2.5/5. And hope the inevitable Director's Cut is like the one for Kingdom of Heaven -- flawed theatrical release, brilliant Director's Cut on video.
The movie is okay but very flawed. I think it's mostly due to poor editing. I wonder if Scott second-guessed himself too much. It really felt like some very important scenes were left out. And there really were some flat-out illogical moments, which have already been discussed.
Plus, the soundtrack was terrible -- it may have been musically fine but it just didn't hit the right dramatic tones at the appropriate times, and to me that harmed the movie further.
It's a decent movie. I'll stick by my 2.5/5. And hope the inevitable Director's Cut is like the one for Kingdom of Heaven -- flawed theatrical release, brilliant Director's Cut on video.
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
3D list lacks Tron Evolution, which was wonderful in 3D.
Scifi action. It has horror elements at best.
thesoapster
Member
More scifi if you ask me. However there are certainly a few moments of horror, and plenty of tension throughout much of the film.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Jarmel, spoiler tag that shit.
thesoapster
Member
Spoilllerrr taggggsss jesus
And I disagree. That was just the height of the tension/cringe.
And I disagree. That was just the height of the tension/cringe.
Spike Spiegel
Member
I liked it. I think the trailers gave away too much of the film, and reading some of the backlash from early viewers tempered my expectations somewhat; but, I still enjoyed watching and was never bored or disgusted with the film, its plot, or not getting all the answers. It goes without say that visually it is a STUNNING movie, and I sort of regret not seeing it in 3D to see how that looked.
Misterinenja
Member
I'm probably in a small minority here but I feel completely neutral on this movie. Especially weird since it's related to my favorite movie.
thesoapster
Member
Yes, it looks absolutely incredible. 1st viewing for me was LieMAX, 2nd (today) was 2D. Definitely liked the 3D better for a number of the scenes. LieMAX's only apparent edge to me vs RealD was the sound. The 2D viewing definitely didn't sound as good, and I imagine the sound is the same for the RealD showings. LieMAX is still $18 where I'm at...so fucking ridiculous.
I'm neutral on what many people felt were downfalls. I am intrigued to see where it could be taken from here. If I have a complaint, it would be some of the lines in the movie.
Vickers going "son of a bitch....................cut me off" was silly. You don't need the 'cut me off' part. No shit you were cut off.
The stupid tweaking geologist needed to die. The howling thing with the scanners was dumb.
etc....
The stupid tweaking geologist needed to die. The howling thing with the scanners was dumb.
etc....
I also believe after several re-watches of Alien and Aliens that we don't criticize them enough. There certainly was horrible acting/writing from/for other crew/non-main cast members. But that is the effect of idolizing something in time. You don't treat it the same way as something new.
bob_arctor
Tough_Smooth
I will also say that watching Alien the night before Prometheus really made the movie that much better for me. Two of my friends are fans of the franchise but hadn't seen Alien in a good while and missed a lot of the connections so that I had to fill them in afterwards.
And even loving the movie I can see that the characters were easily the weak point, especially comparing the crews in Alien/Aliens. Our main protagonist wasn't even that likable until a very specific point.
And even loving the movie I can see that the characters were easily the weak point, especially comparing the crews in Alien/Aliens. Our main protagonist wasn't even that likable until a very specific point.
talisayNon
Member
Pretty good, I just finished watching it, even reading the negative GAF opinions I was still impressed.
Good movie, what the hell is the whining about?
Good movie, what the hell is the whining about?
The cyph, er, characters.....
bob_arctor
Tough_Smooth
Eh, I was willing to let it go to be honest. I knew the crew would never measure up to the blue collar familiarity of Alien or the military cool of Aliens. Accepting this early on (literally with the opening dialog!), I just welcomed the spectacle and the ideas/concepts being thrown at me. In essence, the "this is much bigger than ourselves" angle helped me to ignore character shortcomings (of which there were plenty).
And has anyone mentioned the gooey--and sometimes uncomfortable--nastiness we are treated to? Really, really good stuff. A well-served R rating imo.
NotTheGuyYouKill
Member
Just watched it.
It... was...
Actually fucking awesome. I liked it a lot. Movie looks superb visually. I liked all the characters and actors (Fassbender and Rapace, fuck yeah).
Great movie. Bring on Prometheus 2!
It... was...
Actually fucking awesome. I liked it a lot. Movie looks superb visually. I liked all the characters and actors (Fassbender and Rapace, fuck yeah).
Great movie. Bring on Prometheus 2!
What about Theron's contract? Link?!
Just got back from Prometheus.
Looks beatiful. Great atmosphere. Music is also great.
Too bad the movie was written by what seems to be a retarded monkey.
I mean.. The plot is nice and all but there are so many dumb, stupid flaws in it that kind of ruined the movie for me.
Still managed to be an enjoyable experience.
Looks beatiful. Great atmosphere. Music is also great.
Too bad the movie was written by what seems to be a retarded monkey.
I mean.. The plot is nice and all but there are so many dumb, stupid flaws in it that kind of ruined the movie for me.
Still managed to be an enjoyable experience.
SpeedingUptoStop
will totally Facebook friend you! *giggle* *LOL*
Avatar is dull for doing all of those very basic things in the most straight forward way possible. Prometheus is the opposite end of the spectrum and sci fi could use way more Prometheus type films than Avatar ones.
Yes, this is EXACTLY what I said in the movies you've seen recently thread. Prometheus is not perfect, but it is a step in the right direction for sci-fi films and I hope to see more like it.
airmangataosenai
Member
Just so I'm clear on a point:
If a living object ingests it, they become something new biologically, their body itself changing. If they infect someone around them then the newly infected person simply becomes a host of some sort? I'm assuming those snake ones that killed the geologist and his buddy came from the worms, correct?
I'm afraid to read the thread for spoilers, so quick question:
How should I watch this movie?
2D? 3D? or "IMAX" 3D? IMAX is in quotes since it's more like one of those pseudo IMAX screens.
I'm not a fax of 3D since it always seems so dark, but if it's worth seeing this in 3D or "IMAX" 3D, let me know!
How should I watch this movie?
2D? 3D? or "IMAX" 3D? IMAX is in quotes since it's more like one of those pseudo IMAX screens.
I'm not a fax of 3D since it always seems so dark, but if it's worth seeing this in 3D or "IMAX" 3D, let me know!
Liemax 3D is the best way to see it
The script for this was a goddamn travesty, whether you view it as a prequel or a standalone story. Characters are mostly dumb as shit and have inadequate motivation at almost all times. Story threads go nowhere. Too much forced mythology building.
Ugh. I'm depressed, and I went in expecting to be disappointed.
Ugh. I'm depressed, and I went in expecting to be disappointed.
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
I've never been big into the Alien franchise. Seen the movies, got some of the bigger nods in the films (were probably a lot of smaller nods I missed). I still didn't care for it, all my problems with it were with this movie my itself, and nothing to do with how it connects to the Alien films.
I don't see how having terribly constructed stories is a step in the right direction for SF films. Having Ridley Scott, sure, but everything else? Fuck that.
Utterly disappointing movie. It starts off well enough, majestic and building some insight into the main characters nicely but then just dives off a cliff into mostly inscrutable character motivations, poorly explored concepts in dialogue and dangling story threads. As soon as the entire crew just started showing no regard for any sort of security, safety, scientific and chain of command protocols for no apparent reason, the movie began to lose me. And then the coup de grace,
What a waste.
Oh, and somebody should do one of those video compilations of all the times someone has said "We only get one shot at this" in movies, if someone hasn't already. Cuz, you know...
a giant face hugger out of (mostly) thin air, just because they needed something big enough to take down an Engineer.
What a waste.
Oh, and somebody should do one of those video compilations of all the times someone has said "We only get one shot at this" in movies, if someone hasn't already. Cuz, you know...
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