Prometheus

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Ok so these are my thoughts on the much awaited "prequel" to the Alien saga.

I'll try to refrain from direct spoilers but consider this as a spoiler alert in case anything can be gleaned.

First of all, I had probably unreasonably high expectations, it's was a solid marketing campaign and a great cast. Almost inevitably, it didn't live up to expectations but that's not to say it was bad, in fact a second viewing may help me see it with adjusted preconceptions. The cast, as mentioned, were all great, Fassbender, Rapace and Theron in particular; the others were all ancillary and pretty much fodder. The film would have instantly benefited from less characters and more focus on the main ones, much like Alien and Aliens, they worked so well based on the individuality of the characters. Many in Prometheus are interchangeable and irrelevant to proceedings. Idris Elba is particularly wasted as the Captain who seems to serve only to deliver a chunk of exposition about the nature of the exploration and take the suicide mission we see (sadly) in the trailer. Though, without his character being developed his decision doesn't hold the weight other characters sacrifices in the series have had.

It's a consistent complaint, the lack of characterisation which seems to be mainly due to the characters being spread too thin and also lazy writing. One of the most frustrating elements was the twists they introduce towards the end, instead of being game changers or altering the dynamic and momentum of the film, they don't. It leaves the film feeling very A to B, without a middle. The film is continuing situation of cause and no effect. A lot of things happen but we never see any reactions to it or the effects. Fassbender's android David continues in a tradition of the Alien films but also Scott's Blade Runner. At points, he seems very much the focus, with a Pinnochio relationship between him and his creater/'Father'. Yet the discussion is never explored to it's full potential, likewise, David's motivations seem very uneven and at times his decisions seem confusing considering his 'mission'. The interplay between company characters David and Theron's character served an interesting element, the conspiracy/shady company element another long standing feature, however this neither develops into much more than a few lines.

It's a shame small things seem to have such a big impact on my experience but the structure of the plot itself didn't do the film any favours. There's never any escalating tension or build of dread and fear as the pace treads fairly leisurely. And without the depth of philosophical discourse that there was the potential for, i.e. David getting more chance for reflection or defined goals that would compliment the over arching theme of creation of life; it felt empty. In terms of incorporation into the Alien saga, the final scene is very indicative of it's place in canon and as a direct prequel; however it feels shoe horned somewhat. The genetic evolution of the zenomorphs doesn't seem to really make sense based in what we've seen and what they show, likewise some of the behaviour of the 'virus' - why does one infected character fall apart and another become a super freak? What happened to the character who had a facehugger attached? He just disappeared, when you'd expect that to be a Kane-esque change in equilibrium. And if someone can explain if the projected holographs from 1000s of years ago was anything other than lazy writing to get them to go/learn/do what was needed.

It's seems like a negative review but it's not a bad film. It looks and sounds incredible in LieMax and it's got some great performances particularly Fassbender, which is what's come to be expected of him now. There's a nice throwback to quarantine procedures on the original and pragmatism but yet again, this action yields no effect. It's worth seeing, maybe a second viewing will alleviate a lot of my gripes. That said, it's a shame the development of characters couldn't have been more of a focus.

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28 days...6 hours...42 minutes...12 seconds
I flat out refuse to see movies in LieMax. Real thing or nothing for me.
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"A laugh can be a very powerful thing. Why, sometimes in life, it's the only weapon we have."

Suspect's Reviews



"Hey Look it's Masterman"
, I loved this movie. I didn't really have high exPectations for this so this was a real treat for me, must see.



I flat out refuse to see movies in LieMax. Real thing or nothing for me.
Real thing means going to London. I have a moral opposition to the whole thing but my mate insisted based on the sound



Saw this yesterday, and give it a preliminary
that may well turn into a
on further viewings.

Agree it's a disappointingly unfocused affair in terms of the needless peripheral cast, but Rapace, Theron and especially Fassbender are all fine. Unfortunately the film doesn't have the same lean, bleak atmosphere of remote isolation and hopelessness that Alien has. This is as much down to the gleaming hi-tech 'new' production design, and old-hat back story (Stargate, Contact, Mission To Mars, Close Encounters, 2001: A Space Odyssey) as it is to the overblown cast. It never really decides on whether to be a straight up horror or cerebral musing on the nature of what or who makes us human (themes closer to Blade Runner than Alien). As such the film is a little uneven, and dare I say cliched in places, with some plot twists practically telegraphed via a neon sign.

So why the decent score then? Well, it does deliver plenty of knockout suspense that had me gripping my seat for dear life - in particular a new take on alien birth that evokes fond memories of the defibrillator scene from Casino Royale(2006). Fassbender is simply brilliant as the Peter O'Toole obsessed android whose motivations/programming and paradoxical significance remain a fascinating conundrum throughout. Whilst the film is so technically outstanding as to clearly be the work of a master craftsman, and one of only a handful of directors who could pull such a disparate melange into something remarkably coherent -even poignant. I guess I'm still smarting from the overall lack of xenomorph blasting action to fully comprehend that Promethius is an altogether different animal, and quite possibly a classic one.



28 days...6 hours...42 minutes...12 seconds
I just have to drive about 45 mins to Toronto to get my Imax fix. The general consensus about the film seems to be "it's good, but disappointing at the same time".



Saw this yesterday, and give it a preliminary
that may well turn into a
on further viewings.

Agree it's a disappointingly unfocused affair in terms of the needless peripheral cast, but Rapace, Theron and especially Fassbender are all fine. Unfortunately the film doesn't have the same lean, bleak atmosphere of remote isolation and hopelessness that Alien has. This is as much down to the gleaming hi-tech 'new' production design, and old-hat back story (Stargate, Contact, Mission To Mars, Close Encounters, 2001: A Space Odyssey) as it is to the overblown cast. It never really decides on whether to be a straight up horror or cerebral musing on the nature of what or who makes us human (themes closer to Blade Runner than Alien). As such the film is a little uneven, and dare I say cliched in places, with some plot twists practically telegraphed via a neon sign.

So why the decent score then? Well, it does deliver plenty of knockout suspense that had me gripping my seat for dear life - in particular a new take on alien birth that evokes fond memories of the defibrillator scene from Casino Royale(2006). Fassbender is simply brilliant as the Peter O'Toole obsessed android whose motivations/programming and paradoxical significance remain a fascinating conundrum throughout. Whilst the film is so technically outstanding as to clearly be the work of a master craftsman, and one of only a handful of directors who could pull such a disparate melange into something remarkably coherent -even poignant. I guess I'm still smarting from the overall lack of xenomorph blasting action to fully comprehend that Promethius is an altogether different animal, and quite possibly a classic one.
Pretty much agree with all of that, save last sentence. I can live without the xenomorph blasting and wasn't expecting it at all, don't think that's a factor, the downfall was it's indecision on what it wants to be or say and plot holes. Definitely be keen to see the Directors Cut, there's clearly extra material somewhere to round some things out.



A system of cells interlinked
I guess I'm still smarting from the overall lack of xenomorph blasting action to fully comprehend that Prometheus is an altogether different animal, and quite possibly a classic one.
I like this comment, and am glad this new installment doesn't follow too closely in the footsteps of Aliens...I for one did not want another shoot-em-up action piece like Aliens, as much as I enjoy Aliens when I do watch it.
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“It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.” ― Thomas Sowell



Yeah. Every time I see a new addition to the Alien franchise/universe I'm secretly longing for the glory days of the first two films, even though I know the series needs to evolve in order to survive. I guess I'm saying that whilst I miss Sigourney Weaver, the lived in production design, and the sound of those pulse rifles. I still think Scott has delivered the best entry since Cameron's outing, and a film with it's own unique flavour; even if some of the ingredients taste blandly familiar. I already want to see it again, and am sure those empty pangs of sadness I'm currently feeling will soon fade once I realise how good Prometheus actually is.



We've just seen it.

I've got the biggest smile on my face, and just did a cartwheel outside The Picturehouse.

Ok, so some of you may know, having vowed never to see a film in 3D again, my girlfriend wanted to see Prometheus in 3D, as she had never seen a film in 3D before.

So we're standing in line, 20 mins before the film starts (we're never usually that early, it's just the film was delayed) with our 3'fookin'D glasses in our hands. When we finally get seated, the opening credits were already running and the film looks worse with the glasses on :/

So we decided to watch it without the glasses, and all our neighbours and twitching "it's not in 3D, is it?"

After the finishing credits have rolled, we go down to the foyer and join the queue of 200 people waiting for the money back and I have the largest smile imaginable on my face.

So, I gave my girlfriend what she wanted, I got EXACTLY what I wanted, that is seeing this film in 2D, the way it should be...and I got to do it for free

For Elizabeth Shaw, proof there is a god..and he's looking after us all..at least if we're acting out of selflessness, generousity and love (well at least that's what the girlfriend says!)



I'm not old, you're just 12.
I got EXACTLY what I wanted, that is seeing this film in 2D, the way it should be...and I got to do it for free
But wasn't the entire film SHOT in 3d? I read that is was definitely not a conversion after the fact.

I'm going thursday night to a midnight showing (3d IMAX) with my girl who's just a big fan of the Aliens series as I am, if not more. I'm excited, but not expecting a full on Alien prequel. Will be a fun night at the cinema, either way.
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"You, me, everyone...we are all made of star stuff." - Neil Degrasse Tyson

https://shawnsmovienight.blogspot.com/



We've just seen it.

I've got the biggest smile on my face, and just did a cartwheel outside The Picturehouse.

Ok, so some of you may know, having vowed never to see a film in 3D again, my girlfriend wanted to see Prometheus in 3D, as she had never seen a film in 3D before.

So we're standing in line, 20 mins before the film starts (we're never usually that early, it's just the film was delayed) with our 3'fookin'D glasses in our hands. When we finally get seated, the opening credits were already running and the film looks worse with the glasses on :/

So we decided to watch it without the glasses, and all our neighbours and twitching "it's not in 3D, is it?"

After the finishing credits have rolled, we go down to the foyer and join the queue of 200 people waiting for the money back and I have the largest smile imaginable on my face.

So, I gave my girlfriend what she wanted, I got EXACTLY what I wanted, that is seeing this film in 2D, the way it should be...and I got to do it for free

For Elizabeth Shaw, proof there is a god..and he's looking after us all..at least if we're acting out of selflessness, generousity and love (well at least that's what the girlfriend says!)
My parents said they saw it in 3D but watched with their glasses off. Confused :/



But wasn't the entire film SHOT in 3d? I read that is was definitely not a conversion after the fact.

I'm going thursday night to a midnight showing (3d IMAX) with my girl who's just a big fan of the Aliens series as I am, if not more. I'm excited, but not expecting a full on Alien prequel. Will be a fun night at the cinema, either way.
Well, yeah, I guess I should rectify what I said there. It probably was shot in 3D, and Ridley probably feels that should be the best way to view the film, but since I can't stand digital '3D', it wouldn't have been the best option and would have made it that much difficult for me to immerse myself in it.

My parents said they saw it in 3D but watched with their glasses off. Confused :/
Lol, that means one of two possible things:

A) They simply couldn't stand the whole 3D effect thingy and decided to watch it normally, which would be difficult though since I tried that with The Final Destination a few years back, but found it uncomfortable on my eyes so stuck those stupid glasses on.

B) They had a similar situation to myself in which the supposed 3D screening was not actually 3D, in which case, refundees



Well, yeah, I guess I should rectify what I said there. It probably was shot in 3D, and Ridley probably feels that should be the best way to view the film, but since I can't stand digital '3D', it wouldn't have been the best option and would have made it that much difficult for me to immerse myself in it.



Lol, that means one of two possible things:

A) They simply couldn't stand the whole 3D effect thingy and decided to watch it normally, which would be difficult though since I tried that with The Final Destination a few years back, but found it uncomfortable on my eyes so stuck those stupid glasses on.

B) They had a similar situation to myself in which the supposed 3D screening was not actually 3D, in which case, refundees

I think it was the latter as apparently looked fine without glasses. So in your case they actually showed the 2D version? I thought you just meant the 3D wasn't prevalent in many scenes so glasses were redundant for most of it



Saw this yesterday, and give it a preliminary
that may well turn into a
on further viewings.

Agree it's a disappointingly unfocused affair in terms of the needless peripheral cast, but Rapace, Theron and especially Fassbender are all fine. Unfortunately the film doesn't have the same lean, bleak atmosphere of remote isolation and hopelessness that Alien has. This is as much down to the gleaming hi-tech 'new' production design, and old-hat back story (Stargate, Contact, Mission To Mars, Close Encounters, 2001: A Space Odyssey) as it is to the overblown cast. It never really decides on whether to be a straight up horror or cerebral musing on the nature of what or who makes us human (themes closer to Blade Runner than Alien). As such the film is a little uneven, and dare I say cliched in places, with some plot twists practically telegraphed via a neon sign.

So why the decent score then? Well, it does deliver plenty of knockout suspense that had me gripping my seat for dear life - in particular a new take on alien birth that evokes fond memories of the defibrillator scene from Casino Royale(2006). Fassbender is simply brilliant as the Peter O'Toole obsessed android whose motivations/programming and paradoxical significance remain a fascinating conundrum throughout. Whilst the film is so technically outstanding as to clearly be the work of a master craftsman, and one of only a handful of directors who could pull such a disparate melange into something remarkably coherent -even poignant. I guess I'm still smarting from the overall lack of xenomorph blasting action to fully comprehend that Promethius is an altogether different animal, and quite possibly a classic one.

Couldn't agree more with your comments. I know we were warned not to, but going in, I still couldn't shake the fact that this was a potential prequel to Alien rather than a film set in the Alien universe.


WARNING: "Potential Prometheus spoilers" spoilers below

I think my biggest problem with the film is similar to the issues I had with Inception in that there are moments of unintentional confusion. Unless I missed something, why the hell did David spike that Hollaway's drink?? I mean, was there a logical reason for that?

The film just doesn't have a singular focus and seems all over the place at the worst of times, plus the creation turning on makers theme could have been explored better, imo. But this is a Ridley Scott film, and what his film lacks in plot coherency he makes up with vision, and it's his brilliant vision as well as the two leads that make the film really good.

There are moments of great tension, especially Shaw's cesarean sequence, probably the film's highlight as far as frights/entertainment goes. It was a unique take on the whole chest burster thing.

Fassy is almost too good. I don't even have to say much, but with the exception of Rapace, he sticks out too much. That's not to say he's purposefully chewing up the scenery, but his David is probably the most interesting, thoughtful and frightening android I have ever seen on film. Not exaggerating. There were specific lines he'd say, and the way he'd say it would literally make my skin crawl. That robotic moral ambiguity combined with the almost fascist physical ideals makes for an arrestingly compelling character.

I may go and watch the film again in a few weeks, it deserves another one. I imagine there is a director's cut too, which might help clear up the issues I have with it. Otherwise, very solid filmmaking and a respectable film on it's on. I give it 3 and a half stars out of 5 for now.

Scott's production designs are second to none



"Hey Look it's Masterman"
I agree with you there Prestige, the whole drink spikeing thing confused me. I also have a problem that's been baffling me.?

WARNING: "Prometheus" spoilers below
We hear the captain say that this is a planet for the engineer's to test there creation, a lab to experiment of some kind, but my question is if it's not there planet then why were all the drawings on earth pointing there?



Because we were being warned about it. The crew basically misinterpreted it as an invitation, whereas instead it was a warning. I think



"Hey Look it's Masterman"
Because we were being warned about it. The crew basically misinterpreted it as an invitation, whereas instead it was a warning. I think
A warning from who?? The engineer's??.



I agree with Masterman, the whole star map / set up was contrived. The paintings made no sense in the scheme of things unless it just wasn't made very clear. It's like cavemen drawing pictures of nuclear power plants. Obviously, they imply that engineers have continued to visit Earth but why would the primitive civilizations see the stars they've come from after having it explained they were impossible to see by the human eye. One theory I did like was that the prologue engineer was 'prometheus' stealing 'fire' (i.e. creation) from the gods and that's why they want to destroy it but it doesn't corroborate with their continued visits. Just too many things don't add up or make sense after one viewing to the point I feel like dropping my rating. Visuals and Fassbender are only saving grace



"Hey Look it's Masterman"
I agree with Masterman, the whole star map / set up was contrived. The paintings made no sense in the scheme of things unless it just wasn't made very clear. It's like cavemen drawing pictures of nuclear power plants. Obviously, they imply that engineers have continued to visit Earth but why would the primitive civilizations see the stars they've come from after having it explained they were impossible to see by the human eye. One theory I did like was that the prologue engineer was 'prometheus' stealing 'fire' (i.e. creation) from the gods and that's why they want to destroy it but it doesn't corroborate with their continued visits. Just too many things don't add up or make sense after one viewing to the point I feel like dropping my rating. Visuals and Fassbender are only saving grace
i feel the same way now, tho i loved the movie it left to many questions that no one seems to know the answers to. My head has been working the rounds trying to make sense of a few things that i think just dont add up and my rating of the movie has dropped now.

WARNING: "Prometheus" spoilers below
If the drawings where a warning from the Engineer's then why would they warn us about a plan they have??

Why does the Engineer plan on coming to earth to destroy us still even after there creation has wiped them all out??

Why create us then try to destroy us??

What actually destroyed the Engineer's, because all we see is that snake thing untill the squid is born?