Prometheus - Part 6

[Solidus]

This movie is still getting pretty good reviews, one of my favorite reviewers Emanuel Levy gave it an A- and said something interesting, about how this film may become a cult phenomena in the future. Prometheus may be a film that is required to see a few times to really start to love it, that was the same with me and most for Blade Runner.

But we shall see.

 

[Victarion]

Are there naughty tentacles in this movie?

 

[Naked Shia]

Honestly, I really don't see it becoming a cult phenomen. It does need several viewing, but the story is still really generic.

 

[BuddhaWasABat]

The Tomato meter for Prometheus has been bouncing all through the 80's. Started at 88, moved to 89, went down to 82, than up to 83, and now its at 85. My guess is it will end up in the low 80's or maybe high 70's. Same as Gladiator. I never expected any better really. Doesn't mean much.

For those who have seen the movie and say that the pacing is bad, would you explain that a little? Different reviews have said different things about that. Also, there was 20 minutes of cut footage (despite Fox saying they are making no cuts...) so do you think the extra 20 minutes would benefit the film? I wouldn't be surprises if there will be a Directors Cut if the final conclusion from the majority is it could have been better.

 

[Pauluz]

Does anyone know what the name of the music track is that starts at 1:07?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGMcqZBmZQs

 

[Blue Sugar]

Seen some lukewarm reviews, doesn't bother or surprise me though. And my expectations has never been sky-high, don't know if people expecting this to be on Alien and Blade Runner level cause it definitely WON'T. Doesn't meant it can't be great though and my expectations lie in the visual and technical aspects along with the gut-wrenching horror and creepy creatures. The story itself was never what I was looking forward or being hyped for.

 

[BuddhaWasABat]

I never expect anything to be Blade Runner level. Nothing can ever be Blade Runner level. As for Alien, Ive felt like it could be better than that, possibly. I love Alien but the story is simple, even if told and executed perfectly. I expect this to be Gladiator level more than anything though, if we are going to make comparisons like that.

My favorite Scott films are like this

1) Blade Runner (Favorite movie of all time)
2) Alien
3) Gladiator
4) Matchstick Men
5) Kingdom of Heaven (Directors Cut, of course)

So I seriously expect Prometheus to end up somewhere between 4 - 2.

 

[Blue Sugar]

Alien is not about story though, it's deliberately simple. Even with the bare-bone plot it still manages to say and evoke a great many things. If Alien had tried to tell a more meaningful story the impact of what it does so brilliant would have been lessened. It's not always first-most about story in great filmmaking.

When reviews say that the story is generic it brings a positive feeling to me. My biggest fear about this movie has been that the story would try TOO much, both in terms of meaningfulness and being too convoluted. Taking away from what I want to concentrate on and immerse in when it comes to this film. Namely the visuals, the mystery and the horror.

 

[BuddhaWasABat]

Yeah I see what you mean about Alien, the simplicity is a lot of what makes it perfect. It's simple but focused , and it's very effective and what it tires to do.

It is possible with Prometheus people thought it would be more philosophical than realistically possibly and that could really bring it down when they get to the theater and find out it's just a Sci Fi movie. It has some depth but not nearly as much as they hoped. That would be the marketings fault more than anybody individually though.

I'm not letting reviews influence my opinions too much, I never do. A few of my top 25 favorite movies definitely have a 60 or 70 on RT. Right now Prometheus has an 85, and it's jumping around a lot within the 80's. Overall the reviews have been very positive to mixed, with very VERY few really negative. You don't know what part of that spectrum you will end up in until you see it.

EDIT. PROMETHEUS JUST WENT UP TO AN 88% ON RT. Man it's jumping all over the 80's

 

[Blue Sugar]

That's why I'm still positive, I'm not hoping for deep with this one!

I'm one who don't mind generic or bare-bone stories by default as long as they feel deliberate and are told in a satisfying way, while also having other strong focus-areas to offer of course. That's why even though I acknowledge that Avatar has a generic story I still love it cause of it's glorious visuals, wonderful imagination and immersive atmosphere.

 

[Mandalore464]

The Tomato meter for Prometheus has been bouncing all through the 80's. Started at 88, moved to 89, went down to 82, than up to 83, and now its at 85. My guess is it will end up in the low 80's or maybe high 70's. Same as Gladiator. I never expected any better really. Doesn't mean much.

For those who have seen the movie and say that the pacing is bad, would you explain that a little? Different reviews have said different things about that. Also, there was 20 minutes of cut footage (despite Fox saying they are making no cuts...) so do you think the extra 20 minutes would benefit the film? I wouldn't be surprises if there will be a Directors Cut if the final conclusion from the majority is it could have been better.

I wouldn't call the pacing bad at all. The problem though, and I think that's what made people say that, is that the story keeps sending the characters back and forth to the same two places. Essentially : the Prometheus ship and the "Pyramid".

Hence a feeling that the writer doesn't really know what to do with them, and delays the climax with poorly thought-out non-linear progression (I mean, the first time they go back to the ship is because [BLACKOUT]a storm is under way and threatens to leave them cut-off inside the pyramid. A STORM. Really. Then they go back to the ship, stuff happens, the storm dies out, and bam! They're back inside the pyramid[/BLACKOUT] Most overused, unoriginal plot device ever).

I also think that this is a valid criticism BUT although I understand where it is coming from I would lie if I said I agreed with it. I know I for one enjoyed every second out of every shot in this film, but maybe I am too photography-centered and less interested in the story itself.



Oh and I really don't think David was any better-written than the rest of the characters, I just think Fassbender, being the scene-stealer that he is, makes him better.

I'm one who don't mind generic or bare-bone stories by default as long as they feel deliberate and are told in a satisfying way, while also having other strong focus-areas to offer of course. That's why even though I acknowledge that Avatar has a generic story I still love it cause of it's glorious visuals, wonderful imagination and immersive atmosphere.

Prometheus will be your favourite movie of the year. Or maybe second favourite, after TDKR (judging by your avatar).

 

[BuddhaWasABat]

Yeah, I love AVATAR too. I usually don't like things that are all visual and without substance but the visuals in AVATAR are so amazing while the story is also still good enough that I am able to care about it and not get bored with it. Predictable, but good.

It seems like at it's worst, Prometheus will be Ridley's AVATAR. It lacks the much of the substance that many (myself included) hoped it will have, but it's still overall very good and visually amazing. Like I said that is at it's worst. I haven't seen it myself yet, here in the US we have about a week left, so I will not assume that until I have seen it myself. Until than, I have no true opinion. I feel like there is going to be plenty of discussion about it in the next few weeks.

 

[Blue Sugar]

I'm seeing it tomorrow.

It has a lot of extra hype here in Sweden due to Noomi.

 

[Mandalore464]

I'm seeing it tomorrow.

It has a lot of extra hype here in Sweden due to Noomi.

I love her. She has a lot of range, and gets to prove it in this film. I liked her as much as Fassbender in it in terms of acting. I just didn't like her character as much as his'.

 

[BuddhaWasABat]

Mandalore, what would you rank Prometheus in your personal favorite Ridley Scott films? I don't know how big of a fan you are (He is in my top 3 directors) but I'm guessing you have seen some of his other movies I'm sure.

 

[Mandalore464]

Blade Runner is my favourite movie ever. Ridley Scott my favourite director in terms of how much of his films are in my top 20 or so. Although I suspect Nolan will eventually get there. (That makes me notice how much I appreciate supposedly "cold" directors with a knack for glorious visuals...)

As far as Scott's movies are concerned, let's do a Top 5 :

Blade Runner is #1
Alien #2
Kingdom of Heaven #3
Gladiator #4
White Squall #5

I don't know if your question was meant to see if I would rank Prometheus among them, and I could very well do that in the future, but I'll refrain from doing it that soon after watching it.

 

[BuddhaWasABat]

Yeah that's what I was wondering. So it's not even in your top 5? Or you just can't decide until repeat viewings? I guess if so that is a good way to approach it. Blade Runner is also my favorite movie ever, so no way in hell it will beat that but I did consider it possible for it to beat Alien or be close to that range. I'll find out what I think in a week. Can't stop thinking about it right now. It's actually taken my mind off of TDKR, which I thought was impossible for any movie to do.

 

[gohei_]

I'm seeing it tomorrow.

It has a lot of extra hype here in Sweden due to Noomi.

I'm planning on seeing it tomorrow in Sweden too t: I haven't spoiled myself too much but it looks like a fun movie.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I watched the featurette on the ship Prometheus, man that is one impressive vehicle.

 

[Mandalore464]

Yeah that's what I was wondering. So it's not even in your top 5? Or you just can't decide until repeat viewings? I guess if so that is a good way to approach it. Blade Runner is also my favorite movie ever, so no way in hell it will beat that but I did consider it possible for it to beat Alien or be close to that range. I'll find out what I think in a week. Can't stop thinking about it right now. It's actually taken my mind off of TDKR, which I thought was impossible for any movie to do.

My answer is bolded. Have to let it sink in before I know where it really fits in the top. But it didn't beat Blade Runner or Alien for sure.

As for only thinking about it, I'm the exact same. Like I said a couple of pages ago, all I want to do is watch it again. And I will, tomorrow.

 

[Solidus]

I watched the featurette on the ship Prometheus, man that is one impressive vehicle.

I'll be expecting a review from you tomorrow Hunter

 

[BuddhaWasABat]

My answer is bolded. Have to let it sink in before I know where it really fits in the top. But it didn't beat Blade Runner or Alien for sure.

As for only thinking about it, I'm the exact same. Like I said a couple of pages ago, all I want to do is watch it again. And I will, tomorrow.

Alright. Just 1 more question and than I'll stop asking so many, do you think the 20 minutes of cut footage might help fix what some reviews are seeing as plot holes? It sounds (possibly) similar to Kingdom Of Heaven in that regard. The studio said nothing will be cut but that was BS and I hope to see that 20 minutes on a Directors cut one day regardless of whether or not I find the theatrical version flawed.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I'll be expecting a review from you tomorrow Hunter

I wish my friend, but it's only showing in 3D here.

 

[Solidus]

I wish my friend, but it's only showing in 3D here.

That sucks man. Really? Uggh.

 

[Mandalore464]

Alright. Just 1 more question and than I'll stop asking so many, do you think the 20 minutes of cut footage might help fix what some reviews are seeing as plot holes? It sounds (possibly) similar to Kingdom Of Heaven in that regard. The studio said nothing will be cut but that was BS and I hope to see that 20 minutes on a Directors cut one day regardless of whether or not I find the theatrical version flawed.

As far as I'm concerned, I can't get enough of Scott's gorgeous visuals, so I hope to see those 20 minutes some day as well.

But I've never heard the story (I tried to stay as spoiler and news-free as possible), are you sure the studio asked for those 20 minutes to be cut? Or was it Scott who chose to let them go? That would make a big difference, and if he's the one who cut them, then I'd rather just see them as extras on the bonus Blu Ray disc.

As for whether those 20 min would fix "plot holes", I'm convinced neither the studio nor Scott would ever have made the mistake of cutting scenes that were essential to the comprehension of his film, so I'd bet they're only minor subplots or secondary characters development.

By the way, critics saying the movie has plot holes didn't really get it. It has an underdeveloped plot, but no plot holes to speak of. Perhaps it's a minor difference, but one that means a lot to me anyway.