Movie Talk Posts
Jay - wrote on 2012-06-12 06:43
Fascinating blog essay, but I still think we can hold the film accountable for its shortcomings. I was aware of those possibilities and themes, but a film must stand on its own. Prometheus scores high on symbolism and theme, but low on plot and coherence. To give just one example, I think it violates a fundamental and implied agreement with the audience by not ever showing what the Engineers were running from, and why they supposedly wanted to destroy Earth. It's not good enough to answer "stay tuned, this a Hollywood franchise." That is a core part of the narrative, the mystery that the crew stumbles upon. And there is no resolution, not even a tentative one. Things like this cause the film to fail in its ambitions.
Protozoid - wrote on 2012-06-12 06:07
Just saw the film myself last night, in 3D.On first viewing, I thought it was structured almost exactly like ALIEN, only with a more ambitious premise. The opening scenes were promising, and as the film picked up steam, I became confused and resentful of the ambiguity. Then the weak ending arrived, complete with a laughable final reveal. I had been entertained, occassionally thrilled (I don't care what the detractors say, they are depriving themselves of Ridley Scott sci-fi in 3D and you're going to regret it someday) but the film was rather fundamentally unsatisfying. I hadn't fully grokked any single theme that had been introduced and then the movie ended, as I said, weakly.Then I thought about it, came up with some questions, and started searching on the internet for other people's opinions. I found this: http://cavalorn.livejourn al.com/584135.htmlI'll have to see the film again to confirm his assertions for myself, but what he says makes so much sense (I've read some of the same books he has) that, if true, Prometheus not only has an explanation... it's a truly great and remarkable film.I have a feeling that a lot of the haters are going to become apologists when scholarly minds are finished digesting Prometheus. Both Alien and Blade Runner had serious detractors who had similar complaints about those films. Now they're Top 10 material. I think you guys should read some other opinions and see the movie again, this time in 3D if possible.With adjusted expectations, you might notice how many things it really has going for it.
Chris Kavan - wrote on 2012-06-10 12:07
I'll have my review up later today - but Jay hit the nail on the head - while the film looked great, the whole film really did feel like a set-up for something bigger. I loved the characters, but the story just felt like it was spinning its wheels. I think there are some themes in the film that go a lot deeper than your typical sci-fi film, however, and helps make up for some of that wheel spinning.
Protozoid - wrote on 2012-06-09 23:27
I got a free ticket for pre-ordering Prometheus on Blu-Ray.Considering the $10 value of the ticket, the Blu-Ray only cost me about $17, and I would probably have bought it anyway since I have most of Scott's films.Since I'll be seeing it for free, 3-D seems obvious.
Jay - wrote on 2012-06-09 11:45
My biggest gripe with 3D is that it costs more for almost no extra value. 3D's proper use as a gimmick should be an incentive to go to the theater -- the thinking being "I have a chance to experience it one way in first run, then another on home video." It should be a reward for getting down to the theater, not an "extra" that costs $3 more.
Jay - wrote on 2012-06-09 11:43
Well, my hopes were really high for this one, but it was a bit of a mixed bag. Fassbender was amazing, and I like the idea of exploring the origins of the Geiger technology. But it feels like a rushed-through B movie with no plot -- no real challenge for the characters to overcome or investment in the story. The "Engineers" or Space Jockey seemed sort of like the Frankenstein monster thrashing about. Absurdly humanoid without much motivation. This one seems to rely too much on "stay tuned for more in the next one."
Chris Kavan - wrote on 2012-06-09 11:08
I agree with the arguments that have been made - 3D just does not add enough to the movies and it adds up to a distraction instead of complimenting the film. I honestly think the only reason it is still around is because it makes more money and, because of that reason, it's probably going to stick around a lot longer than it needs to be. The problem is for every movie where 3D is done properly (and Prometheus might be a rare film that it does work for), there are ten more quickie 3D conversions that make the film look like crap and adds nothing to the viewing experience.
Alex - wrote on 2012-06-08 22:25
I am confident 3D is a scam. The good directors are simply trying to use it to see if they like it. It adds nothing to the movie and detracts quality video. It can also be distracting. I don't see any movies in 3D unless they line up with the perfect time I am going to the movie.
Unknown - wrote on 2012-06-08 21:03
To me, good 3D is something that not only looks great, but adds something to the story and/or viewing experience. And I am also sort of a fan of 'shameless' 3D. You know, the kind that leaps out of the screen many times (examples being horror and action movies). However, the majority of new 3D movies don't share these qualities and only exist for more money. Those good 3D movies are still out there, but I've grown so tired of the whole format by this point that I rarely check them out.
Protozoid - wrote on 2012-06-08 19:28
I was a 3-D skeptic, too. Then artists I respected began to use it, and I thought, Why? What do they see? I looked for what I thought they saw and found an appreciation.Also, to say that there are no good 3-D movies while acknowledging that you don't watch them doesn't really compute, don't you think?
