SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
My review is in the other thread, but I thought it was a decent movie that I was sorely disappointed with because of how good it could have been were the script not so goddamn lazy and unimaginative.
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My review is in the other thread, but I thought it was a decent movie that I was sorely disappointed with because of how good it could have been were the script not so goddamn lazy and unimaginative.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Oh and the Xeno at the end was super disappointing. Everything about it. The CG - but most importantly how it was framed and staged as the final shot. That was a surprisingly weak visual from Scott given his masterful eye.
I'm trying to think of a bigger wasted opportunity, but am struggling.
Such a beautiful film as well, pulled down by not knowing what it wanted to be and writers who couldn't even come close to delivering either.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Wait till next year when Lindelof's buddies give us their own version of Ender's Game.
Yes. First she inadvertently falls, and just rolls two times and she's safe, then she has to start running again.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Count me as one of the people who - despite being entirely disappointed that the Space Jockey's were not just bipedal but more than humanoid in relation, still really liked the way those blue-eyed milky-bar fellas looked. Like moving statues of Greek gods. I dug it, but again wish that it wasn't so unimaginative.
Whenever I see the Space Jockey in Alien I will never think of it as anything other than something completely removed and alien from what we were shown in the Engineers.
Dan is going to bitch up a storm.
Whenever I see the Space Jockey in Alien I will never think of it as anything other than something completely removed and alien from what we were shown in the Engineers.
Dan is going to bitch up a storm.
I liked how they looked and of course it makes sense to use a humanoid figure, but a) it takes away from the wonder of the elephantine ones and b) they come off as pretty dumb when we're being told the opposite.
I have exactly the same complaints as you yet I liked it more. Odd fucking film.
I have exactly the same complaints as you yet I liked it more. Odd fucking film.
-Plasma Reus-
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Yep.
Film has a lot of flaws. It's quite cheesy and even rather disgustingly predicable at times, with horrible lines. But you know what? I still like it, and I don't know why. I have no clue.
I guess it's because I see a lot of James Cameron's Aliens in this. The shallow characters, the cheesy lines, the predictability. I like it, just as much as I like aliens.
I understand now that none of the alien films to ever come will be even anywhere near the first Alien. But Scott has given us at least one as good as Aliens here, and I can live with it.
Film has a lot of flaws. It's quite cheesy and even rather disgustingly predicable at times, with horrible lines. But you know what? I still like it, and I don't know why. I have no clue.
I guess it's because I see a lot of James Cameron's Aliens in this. The shallow characters, the cheesy lines, the predictability. I like it, just as much as I like aliens.
I understand now that none of the alien films to ever come will be even anywhere near the first Alien. But Scott has given us at least one as good as Aliens here, and I can live with it.
-Plasma Reus-
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I think it's because Aliens wanted to be a cheesy flick. Whereas this was trying to be something bigger, and it just ended up being a mess. We kind of got a glimpse of Aliens with the scene where the captain and his men ram the prometheus into the engineers' ship. Or when the captain seduces Vickers. Should have accepted its cheesiness a bit more.
I'd put it above Aliens; like Kavinsky says its very reminiscent of Aliens, but it feels like Scott's made an Alien film but with the material of an Aliens film. The added sense of grandeur, the sweeping vistas, the space opera theme... I had a fucking whale of a time with it.
It's no Alien, but then what is?
It's no Alien, but then what is?
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Prometheus as good as Aliens?
Come on, kids.
Aliens might not be as good as Alien and it might have some less than developed players in the supporting cast - but it is a film with a singular vision that is executed flawlessly. Prometheus some grand ideas and beautiful imagery, but it is all over the goddamn place. The characters (especially their motivations) aren't nearly as developed as the main players of Aliens and the side-characters aren't nearly as entertaining.
I find it funny that before seeing this film I would have been upset at people even comparing Prometheus to the Alien films since there was such a hoopla about it being somewhat connected but a different kind of film. But once you see it, you realize that the story makes all the Alien connections and subjects itself to the baggage of the series so I now see nothing wrong with comparing them.
I really wish the film had
a) Nothing to do with Alien whatsoever
or
b) Been an Alien film down to its very core. Tone and all.
It feels hampered by the baggage.
Come on, kids.
Aliens might not be as good as Alien and it might have some less than developed players in the supporting cast - but it is a film with a singular vision that is executed flawlessly. Prometheus some grand ideas and beautiful imagery, but it is all over the goddamn place. The characters (especially their motivations) aren't nearly as developed as the main players of Aliens and the side-characters aren't nearly as entertaining.
I find it funny that before seeing this film I would have been upset at people even comparing Prometheus to the Alien films since there was such a hoopla about it being somewhat connected but a different kind of film. But once you see it, you realize that the story makes all the Alien connections and subjects itself to the baggage of the series so I now see nothing wrong with comparing them.
I really wish the film had
a) Nothing to do with Alien whatsoever
or
b) Been an Alien film down to its very core. Tone and all.
It feels hampered by the baggage.
Yeah, I loved the scope and the sense of awe that was there in the first half. Even if they squandered it.
But Aliens was ultimately very satisfying, and Prometheus for me wasn't at all. It's really another Alien 3 for me I think in how I feel about it, but for very different reasons. It's just hard to rationalise that in my head with a film I loved so much in terms of the world that was created and the visuals. It's just nearly everything that went on in that world that I have a problem with.
One of the first things I said when leaving the cinema before we started trying to piece it all together was that was a weird film. And yeah, very weird indeed.
Supervlieg
Member
I liked the movie, but a few things bother me.
How come everyone is so relaxed when they travel halfway across the galaxy and almost accidently run into structures made by intelligent life. Half of the crew isnt impressed and just carries on as if nothing really important is going on.
Why would the engineers send an "invitation" to a militairy base? Why mark the location on a map for people to come there if theyre going to earth to destroy it anyway? Seems like a monkey wrench to their plans.
Why would the one engineer be sleeping? Instead of going to earth like he's supposed to? Was he like, fuck it, ill wait a few centuries instead of going now?
If the engineers started life by dissolving into the ocean, why do fish, reptiles and basically all life not share more dna with humans?
How come everyone is so relaxed when they travel halfway across the galaxy and almost accidently run into structures made by intelligent life. Half of the crew isnt impressed and just carries on as if nothing really important is going on.
Why would the engineers send an "invitation" to a militairy base? Why mark the location on a map for people to come there if theyre going to earth to destroy it anyway? Seems like a monkey wrench to their plans.
Why would the one engineer be sleeping? Instead of going to earth like he's supposed to? Was he like, fuck it, ill wait a few centuries instead of going now?
If the engineers started life by dissolving into the ocean, why do fish, reptiles and basically all life not share more dna with humans?
I thought Aliens was just as bad dialogue wise sometimes, no one got on my tits like Hudson and Vasquez in Prometheus, it didn't have any sense of intrigue about it. It was cold and dark and mechanical looking while Prometheus had ideas that - even if they bodged them - still introduced, it had a more operatic science fiction feel to it.
I'm not arguing with you Sculli haha, I'm the type or poster who turns off when people start telling me I'm wrong and combating every point I make so I'm unlikely to do the same to you, and I think Aliens is a very well made film and it achieves what it aims to do. But personally I just like the beautiful mess of Prometheus more.
I'm not arguing with you Sculli haha, I'm the type or poster who turns off when people start telling me I'm wrong and combating every point I make so I'm unlikely to do the same to you, and I think Aliens is a very well made film and it achieves what it aims to do. But personally I just like the beautiful mess of Prometheus more.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
It really is a beautiful mess. It explores all the ideas I've always wanted to see explored in a big sci-fi film, but it approaches the material with no verve. All these moments that should have me sitting on the edge of my seat or crying fall completely flat.
The part where whathisface asks Theron to torch him fell so flat that it made me sad, because a scene like that should have been absolutely haunting and heart-wrenching. But instead it felt like they were rushing to get it out of the way. The character interactions were just a big nothing.
The part where whathisface asks Theron to torch him fell so flat that it made me sad, because a scene like that should have been absolutely haunting and heart-wrenching. But instead it felt like they were rushing to get it out of the way. The character interactions were just a big nothing.
-Plasma Reus-
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Whatshisface was a shit character. An absolute terrible addition. The film actually got better as soon as he died. It truly says something about him when I felt a surge of merriment as he was set alight.
We've talked about it a bit in the thread already but the scene with the Engineer waking up was the most botched for me.
Something that should have been epic, awe inspiring, done with care. Yet we just get a load of shouting and then psychokiller time. Terrible. Everything in the film seemed to happen just to get from one plot point to the next.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
The whole lame ass build up to Theron saying '..Father' was so goddamn awful and predictable. Scenes like that are what I mean when I say the film was completely undercooked. I think Weyland's (both of them) entire presence was a completely shitty idea that took that subtle undercurrent of menace from the company into 'YO WE IZ EVIL'
The 'Do you have some sort of agenda?' line is just another example of being as subtle as a lit pool cue in the anus.
The 'Do you have some sort of agenda?' line is just another example of being as subtle as a lit pool cue in the anus.
I don't think it helped that he's the blandest actor of the whole lot; if you're going to get someone that looks like Tom Hardy, get Tom Hardy!
But yeah Holloway was pretty underdeveloped. The film could definitely do with at least another half hour, but maybe written by someone else.
But yeah Holloway was pretty underdeveloped. The film could definitely do with at least another half hour, but maybe written by someone else.
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I laughed when she licked David's face after manhandling him in the corridor.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
The ending was also annoying. One of those 'We're going to get to the interesting ideas in the sequel!' endings where you just wonder why they didn't explore the themes they set up to be explored in this movie.
I hope that if the sequel goes ahead they go with different writers.
I also wish Scott didn't go entirely CG on the Xeno at the end.
I hope that if the sequel goes ahead they go with different writers.
I also wish Scott didn't go entirely CG on the Xeno at the end.
Yeah, the last scene didn't work.
Nor the music it jumped into for the credits, everyone just left in an utterly confused state by the whole thing actually. It was the midnight showing, the first one, and people were gathering around outside trying to make sense of it all. We spoke to one group, no one was happy.
Nor the music it jumped into for the credits, everyone just left in an utterly confused state by the whole thing actually. It was the midnight showing, the first one, and people were gathering around outside trying to make sense of it all. We spoke to one group, no one was happy.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
LOL yeah the jarring music cut for the credits had people in my screening awkwardly laughing.
I'm actually really looking forward to seeing it again this Wednesday night.
I'm actually really looking forward to seeing it again this Wednesday night.
And god bless Prometheus for that. Aliens is a hard movie to rewatch, because how stuffed the characters are. They are shallow stereotypes with no believability except as these comicbook muhrines. Their personalities and motivations are forcefed whereas in Prometheus you have to pick up the pieces that are shown throughout the movie. The non-interesting characters in Prometheus have very little screen time.
Now I have no problem if someone likes the more exposed narrative of Aliens, but for Prometheus I foresee many enjoyable viewings in the future, whereas my recent session with Aliens bluray is probably the last for me. I gained nothing from it even though it's been so many years since I've last seen it.
What themes would those be?
The crew of engineers ran away from xenos. He was the only one without infection and sealed himself in a cryochamber to protect himself. There was nobody to wake him up until Prometheus arrived.
I'm probably going to go see it Wednesday night as well but that's hours after you. Fucking time zones confuse me.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Ending on the Xeno emerging was some AvP shit.
cyberheater
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Went to see it last night and loved it. Can't wait to see it again.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Did we watch a different Prometheus? Theron's character. The two who got lost in the catacombs? All of them had forced comic-book like motivations that they announced every second scene. The difference is that the side characters in Aliens are much better written, even if they ultimately amount to nothing.
It was not needed for sure, but at least there's now one scene fewer that people would've cried after in this thread as a "plot-hole" :b
I recommend going through this thread. Vickers' motivations and even her origins have been a very tough nut to crack for so many people in this thread. The bro-team was indeed very disposable, but they didn't annoy me one bit, which is all so important with these kind of characters. Gotta love a guy who sneaks in tobacco (pot?) to the other side of the galaxy.
Noisepurge
Member
but i remember pretty much the whole cast of Aliens, they are memorable and they all had some sort of a purpose.
in Prometheus most of the cast is pretty throwaway and the events dont even follow some of the more interesting ones like Vickers.
I don't understand this purpose thing... You mean to kill xenomorphs and then die in the Marines' cases I assume? Or to bring the alien back to Earth in Burke's case?
The Prometheus characters definitely had a purpose, if not exactly well realised.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Seriously. Off the top of my head here is Aliens cast of characters:
Ripley, Bourke, Hicks, Hudson, Apone, Vasquez, Dietrich, Frost, Wierzbowski, Gorman, Newt, Crowe
And they're only cliche after the fact. The side characters in Prometheus are empty, walking cliches that are completely unmemorable.
I wish you wouldn't make me keep saying bad things about Prometheus, because I do think it's a good movie. But calling it better than Aliens earns you a straight jacket to crazy town.
Ripley, Bourke, Hicks, Hudson, Apone, Vasquez, Dietrich, Frost, Wierzbowski, Gorman, Newt, Crowe
And they're only cliche after the fact. The side characters in Prometheus are empty, walking cliches that are completely unmemorable.
I wish you wouldn't make me keep saying bad things about Prometheus, because I do think it's a good movie. But calling it better than Aliens earns you a straight jacket to crazy town.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Everybody forgets Spunkmeyer.
JUST GET IN HERE.
JUST GET IN HERE.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
I really hope they cut a lot of the stuff back in. The sound effect bleeping of the first f-bomb is the sort of conscious shit you wouldn't get in an R rated film. Give us the real cut, FOX. Pull a KoH on this bitch.
Also, apart from the main theme, Scott needs a new goddamn composer.
At least the original writer (before the rewrite lulz) of Bladerunner is returning for that sequel-but-not. I am worried about Scott's comments of wanting to cameo Ford, though.
Also, apart from the main theme, Scott needs a new goddamn composer.
At least the original writer (before the rewrite lulz) of Bladerunner is returning for that sequel-but-not. I am worried about Scott's comments of wanting to cameo Ford, though.
Is this something he's actually said? Like it was pointed out in the other thread, he recently said in an interview that there are things he wants to be in the film but had to cut.
You're better than this. Prometheus and Aliens have nothing in common but the universe in which they (loosely) exist. I vastly prefer the way the story is told in Prometheus, but I have no problem with someone wanting more exposition, answers and a more cast driven story. Movies like Aliens are tailored for them.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Fair enough. But the point I'm making is that Prometheus doesn't feel like a cast-driven story. Everybody outside of Shaw feels like they're just along for the ride in more ways than one. The geologist getting scared out of nowhere and taking the biologist with him felt really, really forced like a lot of scenes.
Yep yep yep. Few cuts of music here, snip out dialogue here and you have a more polished film with ambiguity that works better on account of being less clear but more assured about it.
Yeah it's most definitely not a cast driven story. And that's my favourite kind of sci-fi narration.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
I at least wish the final thing to emerge was an egg and not a Xeno plus egg attached via umbilical. That seemed weird, but I'm open to somebody enlightening me.
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