Prometheus trailer

Ian-T, if you really want to avoid having a movie spoiled, you pretty much have to stay away from anything like this. I did until I saw the movie.
 
But that just replaces stupid with more stupid. Either they are the best, and act like idiots. Or they were idiots for sending idiots on possibly the most important mission ever undertaken by man.

That's not how Weyland saw it. Weyland funded it himself because he wanted more life, and that was pretty much it -- it was "ooh" and "aah" free. If there was the slightest hint he cared about anything beyond that, it sure wasn't in the film.

Had it been the "most import mission" in history, and there was a really a scientific consensus of the top minds on that, then it wouldn't have needed to be funded by an industrialist.

I actually got the impression that Shaw's theories weren't exactly popular. True, she isn't the "Ancient Aliens" orange guy, but she says pretty much the same stuff. Most scientists would probably roll their eyes, in a manner similar to all the scientists who laughed at Jackson at the beginning of Stargate.
 
  • Well, I don’t think I mentioned that I didn’t see the movie.
  • ….but honestly I didn’t.. :)
  • I want to gauge from others “why” they liked or disliked it before I decide to spend the money now….or later
  • I came here to see if others shared the same sentiment as to whether or not the movie was “thought provoking or just bad writing” based on the thread title
  • I guess I’m just used to seeing a Spoiler Warning in posts with topics like this (even in articles from legit sources)
  • I’m really not complaining for me however because I’m one who can read through all spoiler warnings and still enjoy a movie. My concern was for others who decided to take the plunge. :)


I think this movie is enjoyable in the theater. Many scenes are fantastic and superbly well done. It's not a schlocky piece of crap by any means and worth the price of admission to see it on the big screen. It's not like it's G.I. Joe or something. It's definitely not boring like John Carter, all FX and no drama at all.

I wouldn't tell people to stay way. Just the opposite, I'd say go see it. Just don't expect a well told coherent story. It's not there.
 
That's not how Weyland saw it. Weyland funded it himself because he wanted more life, and that was pretty much it -- it was "ooh" and "aah" free. If there was the slightest hint he cared about anything beyond that, it sure wasn't in the film.

Had it been the "most import mission" in history, and there was a really a scientific consensus of the top minds on that, then it wouldn't have needed to be funded by an industrialist.

I actually got the impression that Shaw's theories weren't exactly popular. True, she isn't the "Ancient Aliens" orange guy, but she says pretty much the same stuff. Most scientists would probably roll their eyes, in a manner similar to all the scientists who laughed at Jackson at the beginning of Stargate.

But if it's so important to him why wouldn't he send the best? It makes no sense. I realize he had ulterior motives, but why did he have to be so secretive about the mission in this way? If he really wanted to give his mission the best chance of success, he could have just said to the best people on the planet, I'm going here on an interstellar exploration (for whatever bogus reason) and here's a few million dollars. And oh, I'm coming with. Who's going to stop him? He could have lied to them all the way up until the end. If he was planning for failure, then he chose correctly.

The story is the way it is because the writers didn't think their story through, and had their characters behave certain ways and make illogical choices to get from point A to point B in the cheapest way possible. I blame Ridley for none of this. I never saw him as the author of his work the same way I see someone like Scorsese, who even though he doesn't write, there is a clear authorial stamp on many of his movies. Ridley was always a talented director with a good eye, and his stamp is purely visual, but I never got the impression he viewed a story as anything more than a vehicle for his visual ideas.

I don't need to be spoon fed every part of a story. Some blanks are fine to fill in. Massive potholes of logic are another matter entirely...If somebody wants to say they enjoyed Prometheus as a sensory experience, I'm not going to argue with that. But try and tell me it's a good, soundly constructed story, hell no. Even apart from the logic problems, the plot holes, and the thin characters, if there was even a basic human story between people that worked I wouldn't be so down on it. But all the movie has to offer is some expertly rendered visuals and visceral thrills.
 
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But if it's so important to him why wouldn't he send the best? It makes no sense. I realize he had ulterior motives, but why did he have to be so secretive about the mission in this way? If he really wanted to give his mission the best chance of success, he could have just said to the best people on the planet, I'm going here on an interstellar exploration (for whatever bogus reason) and here's a few million dollars. And oh, I'm coming with. Who's going to stop him? He could have lied to them all the way up until the end. If he was planning for failure, then he chose correctly.

He probably didn't want to share whatever he found, nor would he have wanted any particular objections to what he was planning to do.

And why would what he had in mind actually require the top minds? They certainly weren't necessary.

Plus, if you don't think you're going to find anything, why would the top minds take 4-5 years out of their productive lives for a few million? Money doesn't motivate everyone -- makes sense that the ones for whom it IS a motivator aren't exactly tearing up the scientific world in their own rights.
 
He probably didn't want to share whatever he found, nor would he have wanted any particular objections to what he was planning to do.

And why would what he had in mind actually require the top minds? They certainly weren't necessary.

Why wouldn't they be necessary!?...His whole LIFE depends on it. It's the whole problem with every aspect of the movie. The only explanation for just about the entire plot is that, they're a bunch of morons. Not only the humans but the aliens themselves. I don't think that was the intention. It's the result because the writers were morons.
 
Sequel to Prometheus? Curious, but I'm wondering what direction do you guys think they will take? I don't see any of the characters returning. I mean everyone's dead right? TGWTDT can't possibly hope to survive on an entire planet of space jockey's not after it tried to kill her.
 
Why wouldn't they be necessary!?...His whole LIFE depends on it. It's the whole problem with every aspect of the movie. The only explanation for just about the entire plot is that, they're a bunch of morons. Not only the humans but the aliens themselves. I don't think that was the intention. It's the result because the writers were morons.

And what's to say, given how successful he is, that he's both desperate and greedy. He took people along just smart enough for him to get the help he needs, but not smart enough to put two-and-two together whereas he probably feels superior. And, just like most people in desperate situations, he acts more out of panic in getting to the engineers to get help.

Who's to say he didn't spend an INCREDIBLE amount of money to even get to this location in space. I think the comparison to Jackson in Stargate is perfect.

And where are the aliens morons? We know very little about them, and what we do know, is mostly from what the humans/David ASSUME they are.

Let's put it in this perspective. If a dog bites someone, what does society normally do? Puts the dog down. Can't we see the engineer making the same decision? Sure, he could leave, but now he is pissed off probably.

I love that we don't know anything about WHY or WHAT happened to the engineers. We are left trying to figure it out just as the humans in the film were trying to figure it out. And ask yourself, if you came across a huge pile of bodies, aliens or otherwise, wouldn't you be freaked out as well?

Just like the fact, we have NO CLUE what David said to the engineer. It leaves you wondering if he provoked the attack or actually said what Weyland asked him to say. Which is exactly what those in the room would have to consider. It was intentional that there was no translation provided.

And honestly, I enjoy showing the stupidity in science. Let me introduce you to some history of stupidity that is REAL. I am sure you are familiar with the Manhattan project. Have a read about Harry K Daghnian Jr. (http://listverse.com/2010/03/25/10-famous-incidences-of-death-by-radiation/) and then have a look at Louis Slotin.

If I were to complain about something in the film, it would be the crashing of the prometheus into the alien craft. Not that they didn't think it was necessary, but that the acting is HORRIBLE in that scene. It should have been more of a struggle and emotional situation that those three people were about to die. But, had they presented that scene correctly, I would have been fine with it.
 
So originally the story was Space Jesus goes to earth because teh Romans are bad. They are conquering other people, which is you know, mean and stuff.

But, instead of listening to Space Jesus, the Romans crucify Him.

So the "Engineers" that sent Space Jesus to earth are mad because the humans killed Space Jesus.

The Engineers decide that to punish the bad earth people (that they created) they are going to spread black goo on them and turn them into giant squid monsters.

But then something happened. It was decided by someone that the Space Jesus scene should be taken out of the movie.

Why? Scott says it was just to "on the nose". But maybe they should have left Space Jesus in the movie.

jesus-bottle2.jpg
 
And what's to say, given how successful he is, that he's both desperate and greedy. He took people along just smart enough for him to get the help he needs, but not smart enough to put two-and-two together whereas he probably feels superior. And, just like most people in desperate situations, he acts more out of panic in getting to the engineers to get help.

Who's to say he didn't spend an INCREDIBLE amount of money to even get to this location in space. I think the comparison to Jackson in Stargate is perfect.

And where are the aliens morons? We know very little about them, and what we do know, is mostly from what the humans/David ASSUME they are.

Let's put it in this perspective. If a dog bites someone, what does society normally do? Puts the dog down. Can't we see the engineer making the same decision? Sure, he could leave, but now he is pissed off probably.

I love that we don't know anything about WHY or WHAT happened to the engineers. We are left trying to figure it out just as the humans in the film were trying to figure it out. And ask yourself, if you came across a huge pile of bodies, aliens or otherwise, wouldn't you be freaked out as well?

Just like the fact, we have NO CLUE what David said to the engineer. It leaves you wondering if he provoked the attack or actually said what Weyland asked him to say. Which is exactly what those in the room would have to consider. It was intentional that there was no translation provided.

And honestly, I enjoy showing the stupidity in science. Let me introduce you to some history of stupidity that is REAL. I am sure you are familiar with the Manhattan project. Have a read about Harry K Daghnian Jr. (http://listverse.com/2010/03/25/10-famous-incidences-of-death-by-radiation/) and then have a look at Louis Slotin.

If I were to complain about something in the film, it would be the crashing of the prometheus into the alien craft. Not that they didn't think it was necessary, but that the acting is HORRIBLE in that scene. It should have been more of a struggle and emotional situation that those three people were about to die. But, had they presented that scene correctly, I would have been fine with it.

Yeah, I don't get how the aliens are "morons."
 
Yeah, I don't get how the aliens are "morons."

Supposedly the aliens left behind clues to invite humans to their world.

Where do they invite the humans to? A nice garden some place?

No, they invite humans to the giant black goo factory that turns humans into monster squids that can face hug engineers and make Xenomorphs.

Maybe not a good idea?

The "Engineer" has been asleep for 2,000 years.

Maybe the Earth has blown up in the last 2,000 years. Maybe you might want to check on your bros and see what's been happening for the last 2 millenia.

Nope, just rip off people's heads and go directly to Earth to spread black goo. So you can turn humans into giant squid monsters. That will rip your face off and impregnate you with Xenomorphs.

maybe not the best thought out plan?

What's the plan again? Oh yea, kill the girl. The girl that just had an operation to abort a giant squid monster.

But she outsmarted you. The "God" that made humans is outsmarted by a girl that just had an abortion. doesn't make them seem really smart does it? I mean, if you were on the black goo factory and humans turn into giant squid monsters around black goo, and there's a bunch of humans running around, wouldn't you carry a gun or something?
 
Supposedly the aliens left behind clues to invite humans to their world.

Where do they invite the humans to? A nice garden some place?

No, they invite humans to the giant black goo factory that turns humans into monster squids that can face hug engineers and make Xenomorphs.

Maybe not a good idea?

The "Engineer" has been asleep for 2,000 years.

Maybe the Earth has blown up in the last 2,000 years. Maybe you might want to check on your bros and see what's been happening for the last 2 millenia.

Nope, just rip off people's heads and go directly to Earth to spread black goo. So you can turn humans into giant squid monsters. That will rip your face off and impregnate you with Xenomorphs.

maybe not the best thought out plan?

What's the plan again? Oh yea, kill the girl. The girl that just had an operation to abort a giant squid monster.

But she outsmarted you. The "God" that made humans is outsmarted by a girl that just had an abortion. doesn't make them seem really smart does it? I mean, if you were on the black goo factory and humans turn into giant squid monsters around black goo, and there's a bunch of humans running around, wouldn't you carry a gun or something?

There's no indication that they did or thought any of this stuff. They didn't make the cave paintings; humans did.

Nor could the "engineer" have any knowledge of the squid OR the "abortion." If you think the "squid" was in the design of the black goo, then you watched it wrong. The stuff apparently is a DNA-level mutagen, and what it mutates depends entirely on what it comes in contact with. Which is why the proto-xenomorph which came out of the "engineer" took on some of the engineer's physical characteristics.
 
There seems to be this overall perception that the people on the ship were the best in their field. Now sure, they might have thought that, but who is to say they absolutely are not. All these people in stasis for how long? 2 years. Then assume it will take 2 years to return. And never once do I remember someone talking about how "good" the pay was going to be, in fact, given they didn't even have a clue as to what they were doing until after they arrived, I doubt they had the best.
Best? Not necessarily, but for a 1 trillion dollar mission (that involves the two most powerful people at Weylan) you'd think they could find some better people that wouldn't flip out so quickly when the whole point of the mission is to find alien life (if not 'god' itself). And given that this is a multi-year mission in space you'd think everyone that got the job would have at least a bit of an adventurous spirit. Otherwise, why take such a high risk job instead of just working on Earth?

Overall, there's just too many inconsistencies and contrived decisions to overlook, IMO. All movies have them to a degree but when they stack up to the point where characters are obvious plot puppets and we should blindly accept their unmotivated decisions and actions for the sake of moving the story forward and focusing on the 'bigger picture' aspects of the film I just can't suspend my disbelief anymore. Especially since these contrived moments could've been written out of the story so easily and the same beats would've still been hit. A few pages back (link) I wrote up a slightly different take on the geologist and biologist getting lost and killed and I think my version, while not being drastically different, is much better than what happens in the film, and all the same plot points get hit w/o the characters looking like inconsistant, bumbling morons.


There's no indication that they did or thought any of this stuff. They didn't make the cave paintings; humans did.
The Engineers had to help w/the cave paintings to some degree because, as stated in the film, the human paintings showed a cluster of stars too distant for ancient humans to see.

Nor could the "engineer" have any knowledge of the squid OR the "abortion." If you think the "squid" was in the design of the black goo, then you watched it wrong. The stuff apparently is a DNA-level mutagen, and what it mutates depends entirely on what it comes in contact with. Which is why the proto-xenomorph which came out of the "engineer" took on some of the engineer's physical characteristics.
Agreed, I don't think the xenomporh was planned evolution.


-Andrew
 
Supposedly the aliens left behind clues to invite humans to their world.

Where do they invite the humans to? A nice garden some place?

No, they invite humans to the giant black goo factory that turns humans into monster squids that can face hug engineers and make Xenomorphs.

Maybe not a good idea?

The "Engineer" has been asleep for 2,000 years.

Maybe the Earth has blown up in the last 2,000 years. Maybe you might want to check on your bros and see what's been happening for the last 2 millenia.

Nope, just rip off people's heads and go directly to Earth to spread black goo. So you can turn humans into giant squid monsters. That will rip your face off and impregnate you with Xenomorphs.

maybe not the best thought out plan?

What's the plan again? Oh yea, kill the girl. The girl that just had an operation to abort a giant squid monster.

But she outsmarted you. The "God" that made humans is outsmarted by a girl that just had an abortion. doesn't make them seem really smart does it? I mean, if you were on the black goo factory and humans turn into giant squid monsters around black goo, and there's a bunch of humans running around, wouldn't you carry a gun or something?

In addition, so the humans take down your ship as you're trying to take off. You crash and survive unharmed. So what do you do? Go to one of the other several ships waiting conveniently nearby and take off again, or waste time going to kill a helpless girl in a tiny shuttle craft because you're mad. If you're a moron, you take option B and get killed...I could list a hundred more things wrong with this stupid movie, or just post a link.

http://www.juliansanchez.com/2012/06/11/whats-wrong-with-prometheus-a-partial-list/
 
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