Prometheus - Ridley Scott's 'Alien Prequel' (or not)...
Discussion
Rick_1138 said:
1 was the alien head they took on board, they tested it and claimed it was exactly the same as human DNA. Well considering Ape and Human DNA are only different by about 3 chromosomes i find it hard to believe that 8ft tall white human like aliens would have the exact same DNA, because if they did they would look like humans, as in similar height, pigmentation, facial structure etc, okay the DNA would be very similar, but showing a grapoh where it overlaps exactly was daft.
2. the flashback holograms of the aliens show them running from something, with corpses found by the geologist and biologist with bursts chests, but this is never followed up, its ignored completely...why bother bringing it up then!
1) I've seen this movie at screening time, so this is all that I remember, but I remember them just matching a certain part they were specifically looking for2. the flashback holograms of the aliens show them running from something, with corpses found by the geologist and biologist with bursts chests, but this is never followed up, its ignored completely...why bother bringing it up then!
2) Wasn't it from the "Xenomorphs" they've created, who then turned against them?
ZesPak said:
1) I've seen this movie at screening time, so this is all that I remember, but I remember them just matching a certain part they were specifically looking for
2) Wasn't it from the "Xenomorphs" they've created, who then turned against them?
Yes it was, however DNA doesnt work like that, all life on planet earth isnt unified by a specific pieve within all DNA, we are classes as carbon based life, but thats about it other than the species groups etc, so it was a bit trite to claim this DNA was the same.2) Wasn't it from the "Xenomorphs" they've created, who then turned against them?
Thats what it was obviously aiming at, but it was never said, it was like a nod to the fans of the alien films, rather than a plot point in the film, all the markers were there to have this as the human first contact with the alien creature and its creator, possibly a failed experiemtn that went bad, but its simply left alone, then they come away with the 'deacon' crap at the end.
I bought the blu ray, i havent seen the film since the cinema, so needs a re-watch to review my views.
Rick_1138 said:
2 other issues that really spoiled the film for me.
1 was the alien head they took on board, they tested it and claimed it was exactly the same as human DNA. Well considering Ape and Human DNA are only different by about 3 chromosomes i find it hard to believe that 8ft tall white human like aliens would have the exact same DNA, because if they did they would look like humans, as in similar height, pigmentation, facial structure etc, okay the DNA would be very similar, but showing a grapoh where it overlaps exactly was daft.
2. the flashback holograms of the aliens show them running from something, with corpses found by the geologist and biologist with bursts chests, but this is never followed up, its ignored completely...why bother bringing it up then!
The DNA thing, yeah. But she's demonstrating the DNA pattern on an iPhone sized device... My iPhone doesn't display the full workings of a website, just the essential data. I don't find it a stretch that this is the case here. But, we're dealing with a film that's being marketed world wide and to a wide audience. Asking for accurate depictions of DNA strands is, in my view, asking too much.1 was the alien head they took on board, they tested it and claimed it was exactly the same as human DNA. Well considering Ape and Human DNA are only different by about 3 chromosomes i find it hard to believe that 8ft tall white human like aliens would have the exact same DNA, because if they did they would look like humans, as in similar height, pigmentation, facial structure etc, okay the DNA would be very similar, but showing a grapoh where it overlaps exactly was daft.
2. the flashback holograms of the aliens show them running from something, with corpses found by the geologist and biologist with bursts chests, but this is never followed up, its ignored completely...why bother bringing it up then!
The pile of Big Dude corpses, for me, explains why the place is dead... They created, or discovered, a virus that created our favourite Alien like creatures, and it f*cked them all over!
Ok, one thing I didn't quite understand was all the holograms everywhere.
Why did a hologram of the engineers running down the corridor suddenly appear? And why later on did the holograms of engineers using their computers appear to show David what to do? Just didn't make any sense unless I missed something?
Why did a hologram of the engineers running down the corridor suddenly appear? And why later on did the holograms of engineers using their computers appear to show David what to do? Just didn't make any sense unless I missed something?
MocMocaMoc said:
On the character note... Scott has never been an actors director. Perhaps T&L demonstrated that he could be, but his films have always been about the imagery and scale. Expecting a character portrait from this is misguided.
I'd disagree.. some of his of most memorable films have had stunning character performances in them, yes he likes a big epic backdrop but that doesn't mean the characters aren't there. You mention Thelma and Louise but there is also Russell Crowe's Maximus in Gladiator (that won him a "Best Actor" Oscar), for all it's sci-fi trappings the reason Blade Runner has stood the test of time and reached the status it has is because of the characters, oh and you've got one of the most iconic Sci-Fi characters of all time in Ellen Ripley.KaraK said:
I'd disagree.. some of his of most memorable films have had stunning character performances in them, yes he likes a big epic backdrop but that doesn't mean the characters aren't there. You mention Thelma and Louise but there is also Russell Crowe's Maximus in Gladiator (that won him a "Best Actor" Oscar), for all it's sci-fi trappings the reason Blade Runner has stood the test of time and reached the status it has is because of the characters, oh and you've got one of the most iconic Sci-Fi characters of all time in Ellen Ripley.
Ripley doesn't have much of a character to her though. We know she had a daughter but not much is know about her personal life from what I can recall. All we know is that shes an awesome hard ass b
h!.. You don't fk with Ripley 
KaraK said:
I'd disagree.. some of his of most memorable films have had stunning character performances in them, yes he likes a big epic backdrop but that doesn't mean the characters aren't there. You mention Thelma and Louise but there is also Russell Crowe's Maximus in Gladiator (that won him a "Best Actor" Oscar), for all it's sci-fi trappings the reason Blade Runner has stood the test of time and reached the status it has is because of the characters, oh and you've got one of the most iconic Sci-Fi characters of all time in Ellen Ripley.
Don't get me wrong, I like Scott's films, and his casting - Jennifer Lopez frog marched off the casting set of Gladiator, good work - but I just don't see the character work you'd see from... Well, I dunno Ha! Maximus was a grand creation but hardly a performance you'll see on a stage, he just needed to be larger than life and commanding. Which Crowe is, and then some.Ripley was only fully fleshed out in the second Alien film. I'm not sure (cant recall from the extended cut) what we knew of her daughter, but there's little development that I can see... Ill happily be proved wrong, though! That said, Alien came about at a very sweet time for Hollywood actors - the naturalistic approach (the dining scene) served the film well especially... See many characters talking over each other, bickering off camera or wherever. Clearly Prometheus lacked this, but all modern films do.
MocMocaMoc said:
No. Everything I've said, quoted or referenced is in the film.
I'm all for pulling films apart, but a lot of criticism levelled at this is unfounded.
OK in that case please explain to me, without adding any of your own conjecture as that is just adding things which aren't in the movie, some of the highly illogical character decisions\motivations or the weird things that happen to them.I'm all for pulling films apart, but a lot of criticism levelled at this is unfounded.
The geologist MAPPING specialist with the MAPPING computer on his wrist getting lost. Why not have someone else get lost and make it at least a bit more believable.
The biologist whose whole reason for coming halfway across the galaxy to study aliens decides actually I don't want to meet any aliens today thanks. The next scene they get lost (with Mr Mapping Expert) and decide to return back to the room full of goo which 5 minutes ago had him so scared out of his wits he wanted to leave in the first place. He discovers an obviously aggressive alien and the person who 5 minutes ago was sh*t scared now decides he is going to pet the snake like alien.
The scientist who starts crying and then goes on a drinking binge because he didn't get to meet aliens, what about all the incredible artifacts\technology they've found which could provide him the answers he is looking for, nope he decides to give up straight away to go and sulk.
The women who performs a C section on herself I can deal with but it then staples her abdomen back together and 5 minutes later she is running around like an action hero.
The super intelligent alien who after waking up from who knows how long in stasis immediately decides to kill everything in sight.
Apart from all the characters making no sense, none of the questions of why the aliens created us and now want to destroy us are even hinted at let alone answered. I understand this is probably so they can set it up for a sequel but each film in a series should be able to stand on it's own feet, this film just feels incomplete.
I'm not in the habit of criticizing something just for the hell of it but this truly was disappointing. I kept having to check the cover to make sure I hadn't picked up the wrong film. I wasn't expecting a second coming but what I was expecting was a semi intelligent stab at an Alien origin story, not very poor slasher\horror. Apart from the first rate visuals, I genuinely think that the other elements were of straight to DVD quality.
I think the empire review probably sums up the many problems with this movie much more eloquently than I ever could.
clicky
Guvernator said:
I think the empire review probably sums up the many problems with this movie much more eloquently than I ever could.
clicky
"There is no accumulation of dread, none of Alien’s haunted silences and primordial drones that slid beneath your bones. The film is too busy, too talky, too noisy by half. Awe, wonderment and terror need atmosphere to flourish. For all the CGI grandiosity, there is a flatness to the mood. Prometheus is strangely impatient, irritable, rushing its set-ups and squandering drama. Characters perish, but without any great wit or design, and in fits and starts. The film can’t fix on where it wants the action to occur, dragging the cast back and forth between the Apple-elegant fixtures of the good ship Prometheus and the grey-green bio-horror chambers of the ‘temple’. Motive is sorely lacking."clicky
also
"You might be sick of comparisons, but the crew of the Nostromo were recognisably human. We knew them. Here they are plot devices waiting to die. And you care not a jot as they get mashed, tentacled, or infected with worm-eye."
Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 10th October 16:01
MocMocaMoc said:
Guvernator said:
You seem to be making up your own story to fill in the glaring blanks that the film leaves behind.
.
No. Everything I've said, quoted or referenced is in the film..
I'm all for pulling films apart, but a lot of criticism levelled at this is unfounded.
Acting
Cast Chemistry
Script
Tension/excitement generated
Soundtrack
I had real issues with all of the above, and combined with the plot holes (which i am usually happy to overlook in the quest for entertainment) ruined the film IMHO.
Guvernator said:
I think the empire review probably sums up the many problems with this movie much more eloquently than I ever could.
clicky
Verdictclicky
Buffeted by a lack of suspense, threadbare characters, and a very poor script, the stunning visuals, gloopy madness, and sterling Fassbenderiness can’t prevent Prometheus feeling like Alien’s poor relation.
Seems like Empire's verdict matches the majority of the people on this thread.
TEKNOPUG said:
Verdict
Buffeted by a lack of suspense, threadbare characters, and a very poor script, the stunning visuals, gloopy madness, and sterling Fassbenderiness can’t prevent Prometheus feeling like Alien’s poor relation.
Seems like Empire's verdict matches the majority of the people on this thread.
It's a perfect review IMHO, and I wish I would have listened having read it before shelling out for tickets...Buffeted by a lack of suspense, threadbare characters, and a very poor script, the stunning visuals, gloopy madness, and sterling Fassbenderiness can’t prevent Prometheus feeling like Alien’s poor relation.
Seems like Empire's verdict matches the majority of the people on this thread.
TEKNOPUG said:
Seems like Empire's verdict matches the majority of the people on this thread.
Yes yes, but can we please keep talking about it, my thread has nearly hit 100 pages 
...but f
k knows how.Anyway, I'm expecting my blu-ray copy in the post tomorrow at which point I'll give it another go and see if it changes my initial opinion in any way.
Love it or hate it, the controversy it provokes (I believe) makes it a must for any sci-fi fans collection. Look, if you bought Aliens 4 you'll buy this. Those underwater CGI swimming Aliens were the worst abomination ever perpetrated on this franchise...this at least has sumptious visuals.
Still think the major problem with the film was too much hype, in the first place, and the sell that it would be a much deeper thinking movie, probably to justify the budget, 3D, and interest Scott to comeback to the franchise, with added cod philosophy/religon after all fundamentally Alien was at its heart just (superb) monster movie, and Aliens, a good Alamo/Rorkes Drift/circle the wagons/Vietnam in spacemovie. I can't imagine there was a prequel/back story to the original film to any great depth.
I mean having watched the extras I noticed that are busy creating a back story and a timeline for an imagined future of ours, probably compressed due to the date on the Nostromo at the beginning of that film (probably arbitrarily chosen as it sounded far enough in the future), I noticed Weyland referred to a partner & mentor building robots "that came back to earth and look what they did to him", this is a clear reference to the Nexus6s in Blade Runner, suggesting they are making it up for fun, occupying the same universe as Deckard & co. of course Scott is threatening to revisit Blade Runner for a sequel.
Thought the visuals were great, on Blu ray forget 3D, the idea intriguing, but the script/story either had too few rewrites or writers or too many... And The acting/characterisation, possibly because of the script, generally weak save for Fassbender.
Still enjoyed it. But it is just a movie. Everyone wanted Scott to revisit Alien, there you go, perhaps he should never had gone back. I'd still be interested in PM2 and BR2. Even if flawed, if Scott's at the helm.
ETA After all Scott, Chris Nolan and possibly Spielberg, are the only.superstar directors who id be interested in their films regardless of subject, just. because they'll not just slap lots of cgi all over whizz bang and might have some interesting ideas even they don't always work.
I mean would you feel if the choice for Blade Runner 2 was Ridley Scott or McG?
I mean having watched the extras I noticed that are busy creating a back story and a timeline for an imagined future of ours, probably compressed due to the date on the Nostromo at the beginning of that film (probably arbitrarily chosen as it sounded far enough in the future), I noticed Weyland referred to a partner & mentor building robots "that came back to earth and look what they did to him", this is a clear reference to the Nexus6s in Blade Runner, suggesting they are making it up for fun, occupying the same universe as Deckard & co. of course Scott is threatening to revisit Blade Runner for a sequel.
Thought the visuals were great, on Blu ray forget 3D, the idea intriguing, but the script/story either had too few rewrites or writers or too many... And The acting/characterisation, possibly because of the script, generally weak save for Fassbender.
Still enjoyed it. But it is just a movie. Everyone wanted Scott to revisit Alien, there you go, perhaps he should never had gone back. I'd still be interested in PM2 and BR2. Even if flawed, if Scott's at the helm.
ETA After all Scott, Chris Nolan and possibly Spielberg, are the only.superstar directors who id be interested in their films regardless of subject, just. because they'll not just slap lots of cgi all over whizz bang and might have some interesting ideas even they don't always work.
I mean would you feel if the choice for Blade Runner 2 was Ridley Scott or McG?
Edited by Northern Munkee on Wednesday 10th October 16:25
Yep - poor if considered as not part of the "Alien" universe. Truly terrible if it is considered as part of Alien/Aliens.
Alien 3 and beyond are not worth adding either - I could just about bare Alien 3 but where the **** did the eggs come from? The queen had already lost her egg-sack so unless bishop did a quick drive-through pick-up?
im said:
TEKNOPUG said:
Seems like Empire's verdict matches the majority of the people on this thread.
Yes yes, but can we please keep talking about it, my thread has nearly hit 100 pages ...but f
k knows how.Anyway, I'm expecting my blu-ray copy in the post tomorrow at which point I'll give it another go and see if it changes my initial opinion in any way.
Love it or hate it, the controversy it provokes (I believe) makes it a must for any sci-fi fans collection. Look, if you bought Aliens 4 you'll buy this. Those underwater CGI swimming Aliens were the worst abomination ever perpetrated on this franchise...this at least has sumptious visuals.
Gassing Station | TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff