Sunday, June 3, 2012

So, Prometheus...

2:13 PM / Cinema / Comments13 Comments

So, Prometheus...

I can't remember the last time I actually went to see a film on its opening day, but it was probably my most anticipated film of 2012, so I couldn't exactly stay away. Myself and Lee will be recording a Movie Matters mini episode during the week to discuss our thoughts on it, so I won't say anything about it here (though if you've checked my Letterboxd account you'll already know how I feel about it overall). "Divisive" would certainly seem to sum up the reviews so far, and the thing hasn't even been released in the US yet, so no doubt there'll be an added barrage of debate and disagreement once it opens there. For those that have seen it, though, any thoughts?

 
13 Comments

1. Robin said:

I saw it yesterday, and despite some particular oddities that I don't want to divulge here, it was an impressive, intense and daring film. Ridley has opened up the canvas now and delivered something far beyond just Alien, while at the same time I think it'll definitely satisfy those fans as well. Just remember; LV223, not LV426. Different planet, almost the same thing. Some (many) will discuss that ending to a fault I imagine, and the details will drive them up the walls I'm sure, but it's very ballsy not to go the "direct-direct" route, and all the more satisfying for it. Flawed but fantastic.

(Posted on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 8:39 PM)

2. Matthew McKinnon said:

I literally cannot believe that anyone, fan or newcomer, could be satisfied with this terrible film...

A script that feels like a first draught by a teenager; a stunning failure of imagination (big blue men rather than biomechanoid enigmas; all the hallmark Ridley Scott inconsistencies of tone and pace; his customary fashionable gloss turned up to 10; and the now-customary sequel-baiting (and thus inconclusive) ending.

I desperately wanted to walk out halfway through, knowing it wouldn't improve. And it got progressively worse. That had better be a very convincing argument in that podcast.

(Posted on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 6:56 AM)

3. bosque said:

Ridley hasn't made a decent movie since Black Hawk Down (2001) so it shouldn't be surprising Prometheus is simply continuing his run of not-very-good films.

(Posted on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 2:42 PM)

4. ChuckZ said:

Everything I've read about the film (filtered through REDUSER.net) is that the script is the hallmark of someone who would be involved with Lost.

Everyone praises the visuals (and some to a fault), but the level headed criticism seems to knock the script quite a bit.

No wonder they're giving away free passes to the movie if you pre-order the Blu-ray release!

I'm severely disappointed already and I haven't seen the movie yet.

Everyone is talking up the Red EPIC getting more A-list titles, but they seem to be relegated to the movies with junk narratives (Ghost Rider sequel I'm looking at you).

(Posted on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 1:02 AM)

5. ChuckZ said:

Also, I read that Rapace was horribly miscast (her accent goes in and out in the trailer for chrissakes!).

The only gem in the film is Fassbender and Theron (for her brief time).

(Posted on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 1:04 AM)

6. Author Profile Page Michael said:

Chuck:

Can't really agree with any of that, particularly Noomi Rapace who is excellent (and certainly better than Charlize Theron, though in fairness she's given more to work with). The accent didn't bother me as much as some people: particularly in an ostensibly nationless future (and I do feel that PROMETHEUS does go back to ALIEN in that regard as opposed to taking its cue from ALIENS), I'm more than happy to accept wonky and inconsistent accents, particularly for someone whose work has presumably taken her to every corner of the globe.

In any event, the episode is now up (click, so Matthew, you can judge my defence of the movie for yourself :D ...though admittedly it mostly boils down to "There are flaws, but the detractors are blowing them out of all proportion".

As for Ridley not making a decent film since BLACK HAWK DOWN, what about the director's cut of KINGDOM OF HEAVEN? If not for Orlando Bloom (who actually acquits himself better than I thought was possible), I'd have classed it as a semi-masterpiece.

(Posted on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 10:11 AM)

7. FoxyMulder said:

Prometheus is the one film i want to see this year, the trailer has me hooked, i won't listen to the recording you made or read reviews though, i want to avoid possible spoilers.

As for Ridley, one of my favourite directors, i have not seen American Gangster or Robin Hood or Body Of Lies yet, i have seen A Good Year and enjoyed it.

I was disappointed in Hannibal though, probably because i consider Silence to be an almost perfect film that does not really need a sequel.

(Posted on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 1:54 PM)

8. ChuckZ said:

With the exception of some historical inaccuracies, I'd agree with you fully about KoH:DC.

(Posted on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 6:54 PM)

9. Kentai said:

Got my ticket for tomorrow, so I'll give the Minisode a listen after that.

Looking forward to it, even if the overwhelming consensus seems to be "Meh, s'okay I guess".

(Posted on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 3:20 AM)

10. Neil said:

Hmmm. American Gangster is a more than decent film imo. And the dc of Kingdom of Heaven is excellent.

(Posted on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 10:17 PM)

11. FoxyMulder said:

I watched American Gangster yesterday on ITV 4, one of Ridley Scott's 1.85:1 shot films it worked fine on television, well as fine as standard definition can deliver, just as well i was watching on the tv and not the projector, anyways it's a good movie, i enjoyed it.

(Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 5:47 PM)

12. jim said:

Really boring movie. Another “Hugo”, if you will. People want to be entertained when they go see a movie–on this point alone Prometheus fails miserably.

The worst part of this movie is that the story is so stupid and riddled with plotholes that it insults your intelligence and just kills your suspension of disbelief.

Ridley Scott hasn’t made a good movie since Black Hawk Down. I think part of the problem is that he has not chosen good scripts lately. Visually, Ridley Scott is a genius but movie audiences want a story and characters they can relate to–Prometheus is such a huge disappointment in this respect. Nice visuals but no heart. Prometheus never connects with the audience at any point, and this is a real problem. Even the corny Dances with Smurfs by James Cameron was miles better than Prometheus because audiences could relate to some aspects of the story and characters.

Honestly, since 1986′s Aliens, there hasn’t been a truly great sci-fi movie. Aliens just hit all the right buttons–great characters, solid plot, great suspense and thrills, and great action. Who can forget Ripley in mum mode kicking the alien queen’s ass? It just connects instantly with audiences–there was no need for tons of meaningless semi-mysterious dialogue like in Prometheus. Everyone understands how ferocious a mum can get when defending her child, people get this instantly. There is nothing like this in Prometheus, just emotionless dialogue and characters doing stupid irrational things.

Wish that movie directors in general would study Aliens and get back to basics. Seriously folks, this is not rocket science–people just want to be entertained. If you’re going to spend hundreds of millions on a movie, (1)don’t insult the audience’s intelligence and (2)make sure the movie is entertaining. Look at Avengers 2012, not a classic by any means but entertaining and it cleaned out at the box-office.

Heck, even The Artist 2011 was way more entertaining than Prometheus–and it was made on a $15 million budget in black and white! If Blade Runner 2 is going to be more drivel like Prometheus, seriously Scott–don’t bother.

The best science fiction movie in the past 3 years remains District 9–made on a small budget yet was superbly entertaining and thought-provoking. Even “Moon” by Duncan Jones (another sci-fi movie made on a small budget) kicks Prometheus’ ass bigtime.

(Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 12:04 PM)

13. PowerofPicture said:

When you said Hugo was boring I knew it was joke post.

(Posted on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 11:42 AM)

 
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