Originally Posted by
machinecult
Dead body of a Space Jockey aka the Pilot aka Engineer in Alien (1979) found on moon LV-426 "Acheron".
Engineer was killed by this little guy.
"Chestburster"
which will become this.
_-_Alien.jpg)
I've wondered what Ridley Scott's intentions are if he does not make this story canon to Alien? The impression was that film was made to tell the backstory of the "Space Jokeys" (Engineers) whos dead body was found in ALIEN events which will happen 30 years later prior to the events of Prometheus. Prometheus might be a cross-over of the Ripleyverse...I don't know...Maybe we can separate AVP movies because those were made by fans of the comics. But separating Prometheus from the Ripleyverse makes the movie seem pointless especially if it uses same movie elements such as Weyland industries, corporate androids and the obvious facehugger, designated name of locations and of course the Xenomorph in the last parts.
The filmmakers certainly didn't intend to separate this from the Alien universe but not to closely relate it with the very first Alien. There is a 30 year gap between the events of the movies and a lot can happen within those years, especially given the fact that the xenomorphs can rapidly evolve. Plus, they occur on different planets.
Originally Posted by
machinecult
I wasn't disagreeing or agreeing with anyone and I believe its best if we share what we like and dislike about it. I myself have no problem with the premise, I find the whole ancient alien-visitation-interaction with mankind very engaging. Hence my looking forward seeing this film but became one of its disappointed fans, the so-called, "haters". The ancient alien idea is an interesting concept. My complaint is when this idea was applied on this (supposed to be) very promising film.
So far, the only decent movie I've seen with a quite similar premise was Stargate back in the 90's by incorporating Egyptian gods with extraterrestrials. Although not as 'intellectual', I believe that movie was successful because it used its mystery element more simpler and the result was a sensible film. Prometheus on the other hand overdid this theme by adding more mystery elements to it which were in the end useless - so useless that the entire film was rather pointless. If takes three films just to tell a single story I'd feel like I'm being cash-cowed. (It's like an informant spilling secrets one-by-one and asking money for each information.)
Well, different strokes for different folks. And I think one of the reasons many are frustrated is because they already have a preconceived notion that this movie will answer all their questions.
I prefer one that gives you ideas and doesn't simplify things to a point that it's spoonfed. I know Prometheus is not even close to the level of 2001: A Space Odyssey in presenting ungraspable concepts that are mind boggling, but I like the fact that Prometheus didn't end with all loose ends tied up. If there are no sequels, I'm fine with that because I am left to my own thoughts to piece it together which clearly will not be entirely perfect.
And though every element of the movie is not well made of, I am certain some major aspects of the movie were made for some reason because we are talking here about a man who has around 50 years of filmmaking experience and has the advantage of amassing a wide filmic language with a project that he has been brewing for 10 years.
Prometheus may not be that great but because of it I learned that in Ridley's interesting universe, the humans were created from the fabric of the Engineer's DNA (which were the same Space Jockeys from the first Alien), that there was this black goo that takes one's life in order to give life (and was the prime source for the xenomorphs to exist), that the concept of sacrifice and selfishness are resounding elements from the maker to creation, that creationism and darwinism can co-exist, and that this Ridley universe can go beyond the man-rape undertones of the first Alien movie to boldly present their existentialist ideas.
It's not a great film by any measure but it's still a good one with a polished look cinematographically, good directorial choices, some OK editing, a few multi-dimensional characters that were well played, and some interesting subtexts and inferences you can lift. These small things can make me happy.
Originally Posted by
machinecult
As for Vickers, she was interesting in the first hour or less but after another useless father-daughter scene (what was the point of that scene
) I didn't care anymore. Actually, I stopped liking the movie after the storm scene when they got back to the ship and people were having s3x while two of their team were still LOST and in danger out there. It's like the crew never cared for each other.
I don't know if audiences thought Vickers death was unnecessary or stupid. I'm more inclined to think the way they killed her in the film was dumb and funny and that pissed people off but I lost interest in the whole film I stopped caring. It was so disappointing.
One of the weak elements of the writing was it didn't give logical reasons for some characters regarding their decisions and whereabouts such as why would the two crew members wander off without any device to find their way out.
But them finally landing on a planet they've been hunting for many years (something that they've dedicated their lives to) and finding some likelihood of an answer (after seeing what was inside the hollow dome) should be enough a cause for celebration (especially with the two lead scientists who had s3x). During this time they also hadn't encountered any disastrous events (except the storm which means, they're better off inside than outside) and waited until the storm clears to seek out their colleagues as the very first thing that they will do. Obviously, they really didn't care about each other very much because they've only met for signing up for the project. The others didn't even know their mission until they landed on the planet.
The Vickers character may be perceived as a useless character and her death could have ended in another way. But I took it as an ironic death of her being rolled over by the exact spaceship that her father was chasing and wanting to step on, to which she didn't believe existed. Her decision to exit Prometheus before collision cemented her selfish character-- unwilling to sacrifice-- and a stark contrast to the first scene of the Engineer's sacrifice. And I think that's good characterization and subtext.
Re: Prometheus
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