RIDLEY SCOTT at 74…A "Man On Fire"…with Passion for the Project? OR…A Man in Dir
Neurion
Veteran MemberMemberOvomorphDecember 19, 20111098 Views5 RepliesNeurion’s RIDLEY SCOTT Film Tally
This is how I would personally score Ridley Scott’s film directorial career, on a scale of 1 to 10…as far as film quality. Keep in mind, I gave no film a 10, as that would be a perfect film. I have never seen what I would call a perfect film. Even the great ALIEN had flaws. Not so much in content or story, but editorially and effect wise, i.e. the bad head switch for android Ash and so on…
1977 The Duellists - 8.5
1979 Alien - 9.5
1982 Blade Runner - 9.5
1985 Legend - 6.5
1987 Someone to Watch Over Me - 7
1989 Black Rain - 8
1991 Thelma & Louise - 7
1992 1492: Conquest of Paradise - 8
1996 White Squall - 8
1997 G.I. Jane - 7
2000 Gladiator - 9.5
2001 Hannibal - 7
2001 Black Hawk Down - 8.5
2003 Matchstick Men - 6.5
2005 Kingdom of Heaven - 6
2006 A Good Year 8
2007 American Gangster - 8
2008 Body of Lies - 8
2010 Robin Hood - 7
2012 Prometheus - ?
By MY reckoning, this gives Scott an AVERAGE SCORE of 7.765 for his previous 19 films.
Generally, I don’t analyze directors in this fashion. I only did it to point out that Scott has a “slightly” spotty film career. Better than most…but still flawed. For my money…when he’s ON…he’s spot on! When he’s off…well…he’s off. Therefore, I’m concerned about PROMETHEUS.
Some members of our PROMETHEUS-MOVIE website “family,” seem to be invincibly optimistic, and well beyond concern…or just simply without it. I, on the other hand, am hoping for the best…but preparing for disappointment. I’ve been burned way too many times in the past, in regard to favorite film franchises falling into the abyss… i.e. Star Wars Prequels and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Dull…Schlocky movie.
When he directed ALIEN, Scott was young, hungry…and out to prove himself. Plus, "I" believe there was a certain artistic synergy at work there. Scott, O’Bannon, Giger, Shusett, Cobb, Giler, Carroll, Rawlings, and Goldsmith were all on fire for the project. And, it was birthing from the 2nd Golden Age of Hollywood…as film was finally beginning to explode on to scene…again…like never before.
Anyway…if Ridley has been diggin’ deep inside himself…like I think he did when he was in his early 40s…we could have something really special…terrifying…beautiful…and powerful, gestating in Pinewood Studios London.
Cheers…here’s to hoping!
~Neurion
P.S. In Space…no one can hear you pray…or can they?
