Forum Topic
Mizere
MemberOvomorphJun-04-2012 11:40 PMNo spoilers here. Just watched it. 2 times.. I am still going this weekend but my main reason for writing this is trying to figure out what movie all of these people who really ripped this apart actually saw.
Yes, it is not Alien and it is not supposed to be, but it is a damn good movie. Anybody comparing it to the AVP films is just trying too hard to find fault with something they probably really didn't want to like to begin with. It doesn't look like AVP, it doesn't sound like it nor does anything that happens in it compare to either of those movies. All of the complaints about poor character development, acting, things going too fast and laughable creatures is mind boggling. There is lots of stress, tension and emotional development. What were you looking for? Twilight? Seriously. I cannot find much fault with the movie at all.
Look, I guarantee I am a lot older than most people posting here and the ones reviewing the movie so I am not an idiot. My favorite movies range from decades and genres with Alien being in my top 5. Which I saw in the theater on release in 1979.
I went into this movie with only the expectations of being entertained and excited that a movie was made to sit in the same universe as the original.
I got that, ten-fold.
In fact, it actually bothers me that we have a unique film in our midst and people are complaining about the most baseless trivialities. In a world where horrible movies like Saw and The Hangover get huge amounts of money at the box office , we are given a beautiful film full of ideas, a story that is near heartbreaking and the beginning of something that could be huge (with any sequels) and people are poo-pooing because somebody plays a flute in it.
I am just saddened for all of the people so bent out of shape because the speculation for this film ruined it for you. THIS is what happens when people play games with their ideas about what a movie is going to be before even seeing it.
I hope this is a lesson learned for anybody falling into that and hopefully next time a heavily anticipated movie is green lit, you won't be so hungry to make up your own version of it.
54 Replies
Drakeequation
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 1:09 AM@ BugHunter, I think these discussions are always complicated by the fact that movie opinions are completely subjective. I mean I know people who like Alien Rez better than the original Alien. Sometimes the things you love about a film are the very things someone else hates. One need look no further than the massive success of the SAW or Twilight franchises to see that. There is also the issue of what makes someone think. Some people love ambiguity and an absence of information but other's enjoy being saturated with complexity. I think the extremely subjective nature of movie watching probably means it will be impossible for people from both sides to come to an agreement on whether the film was bad or good as a whole.
The Machine
MemberOvomorphJun-04-2012 11:51 PMI think you hit the nail on the head, I am also an older viewer and I see the complaints as nit picking nothing more. Of course this would not have happened in the day as we did not have Internet communication where every snob and over zealous fan can recite their utter disappointment at what should have been a life changing experience for them. as they have completely lost grips with reality.
Bottom line, its a great film and I am proud to be one of the unblind. People are interpreting this film in so many ways, I find that interesting. The funny thing is that some people seem to have been expecting Citizen Kane with monsters.
This film stands heads taller than anything that has been attempeted recently bar District 9 and that a compliment.
We have here, a great start to something that could be greater if continued, and I hope it is.
Cypher
Co-AdminMemberOvomorphJun-04-2012 11:56 PMI think a lot of it has to do with people expecting answers from the original Alien. Fair enough, it's going on it's own tangent away from Alien, but if it's set in the same universe, let alone the same star system that was in the original, I don't think it's too unforgivable of people to hope for some answers. This movie has been marketed as an Alien movie through and through, you can't honestly tell me it has not, and I think people have been hoping for some more substance than what they've seen.
If some new questions had been asked while at the same time answering one or two of the old ones, I would be quite happy with that, as I'm almost certain many other Alien fans would. It seems though, from what I've been hearing, that it raises more questions while not even bothering to answer some old ones. Which seems rather, dare I say it, fucked. If there is a sequel in the next 10 years, will Ridley Scott be directing it, or will he be too old at that stage to follow up what he began here?
I don't think it is unfair for fans to feel like they have been ripped off somewhat.
I still have 2 days to wait before I can see it, which also annoys the crap out of me because it should have had a simultaneous world-wide release as far as I'm concerned. As soon as I have I'll post a review here, but I have had to lower my expectations considerably from what I have been reading/seeing.
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"Is it dead this time?" "I dunno, poke it with this stick and see."
Alain
MemberOvomorphJun-04-2012 11:56 PMGood for you if you liked it :)
As I've already said, the cinematography is superb.
But for me the scriptwriting has flaws. And that is the reason why i haven't had the time of my life while watching this movie.
I am also old (let's say more than 40 :) and I was not expecting something really related to Alien. That was in fact a good idea to make a stand alone movie which could explore the origins of the space Jockey. I was not waiting for chestbursters or aliens.
I guess this movie should have a 3 hrs duration to set the pace, learn the different characters, and avoid some dangerous cuts during editing.
Let's say it's like reading a book with some blank pages in it. And i'm not speaking about questions left unanswered like the reasons why SJ react like that with humans.This kind of questions could easily be left for the watcher's imagination or for a sequel.
Maybe, with a director's cut, the script will be in better shape. That's all i'm waiting for.
Cypher
Co-AdminMemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:00 AMAnd before you ask, I am 31 in July and grew up watching the Alien movies, in fact I'm certain I've viewed Alien more than 100 times, and every time I see it I want to know how that ship ended up there and why it's pilot had a cargo hold full of Alien eggs. After 20 years of asking the question, I'd appreciate some kind of answer from the man that helped create the original.
Dan O'Bannon is still the man that birthed this universe as far as I'm concerned.
[url=http://www.robocopmovie.net/][img]http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac89/snorkelbottom/NewRoboBanner.jpg[/img][/url]
"Is it dead this time?" "I dunno, poke it with this stick and see."
POOPMETHEUS
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:01 AMWe all saw the same movie... Only what I saw I didn't like. How is that confusing to you? Is it because most of the people who saw it don't share YOUR opinion? Welcome to the real world.
Cypher
Co-AdminMemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:02 AMAnd it was bound to happen Charlie
[url=http://www.robocopmovie.net/][img]http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac89/snorkelbottom/NewRoboBanner.jpg[/img][/url]
"Is it dead this time?" "I dunno, poke it with this stick and see."
John D.
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:04 AMFrom everything I've read, the chief issues that critics (at least the ones that I [u]trust[/u]) are citing are: poor pacing in the 2nd half, undeveloped characters (save for the leads), clumsy plotting, amateurish dialogue, and what apparently is a cheap-ish, tacked-on ending...in other words, the script is the problem.
By contrast, the cinematography, direction, production design, and certain of the 'setpiece' sequences in particular (as well as Fassbinder's performance) are all receiving nearly universal praise.
I'll be seeing it this weekend, and making up my mind for myself. And yes, I'm an [i]Alien[/i] fanboy, but we shouldn't have to be fanboys to enjoy this film.
By the same token, we shouldn't let our enthusiasm for it rob us of our ability to be objective - otherwise our opinions would be even less relevant than the opinion of the average joe who goes to see the film.
Alain
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:05 AMat cypher : I totally agree with you. Why on earth do they decide to release this movie first in Europe ? I am puzzled. That is really really frustrating for you.
Mizere
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:05 AMCharlie, your bitterness shows in nearly every post you make. I think the real world would be a wake up call for you as well. :-)
Cypher
Co-AdminMemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:09 AMExtremely frustrating. I've literally been waiting 20 years for this. I know 2 days is not long, but it just does not make any sense as to why Fox decided to release it this far apart in different countries......
Unless they are putting in a different ending or something...................
[url=http://www.robocopmovie.net/][img]http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac89/snorkelbottom/NewRoboBanner.jpg[/img][/url]
"Is it dead this time?" "I dunno, poke it with this stick and see."
The Machine
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:10 AMCharlieDontSurf, most people are idiots do you really want to be part of that club?
BloodBrother
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:12 AMHi Mizere and the Machine, this is my first post. I have prowled these forums and gleaned information through everyone's posts since before i even had an account, and all I can say is i haven't been more excited to see this movie. It hasn't come out in the states yet but ill be seeing it at midnight in Imax 3d. I know this movie will not disappoint me as its a movie i can appreciate on multiple levels which is a relief to the bland horror movies they make these days.
The Machine
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:13 AMCypher they might pull a Blade Runner on it but I would not recommend it, the film is good enough as it is.
Cypher
Co-AdminMemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:17 AMAnd it's left me in the unenviable position of having to be exposed to the spoilers as they were revealed, I wanted to go in with a fresh mind regarding the movie, so I think I'll have to meditate heavily and clear my mind before I see it.
Like I've said before, I can deal with it not being the same Space Jockey from the original, I can deal with it going off on it's own tangent, but the way it has been marketed had led me to believe I would be happy with getting a couple of my questions answered whilst having a few new ones to ask in regards to the Alien universe. I didn't want to have to wait for a sequel to this to get those answers, and Force forbid if they never are, I would not be a very happy camper if they aren't.
The very first time I saw the teaser trailer with the crashing ship, my first reaction was, quite literally " :-O THAT'S THE SHIP THEY FOUND IN ALIEN!!!"
[url=http://www.robocopmovie.net/][img]http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac89/snorkelbottom/NewRoboBanner.jpg[/img][/url]
"Is it dead this time?" "I dunno, poke it with this stick and see."
The Machine
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:17 AMBloodBrother, I suspect you will enjoy it, some people go in expecting faults and search like madmen for them in the shadows where they (if they look hard enough) wil find them. I am a massive Alien, Predator, Sci Fi fan and I loved it, because I can appreciate it for what it is a great Sci FI film, not the second comming of Christ, which I'm sure I would find less entertaining.
Leebalien1980
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:29 AMI cannot believe members on here covering for Prometheus all the time. It was terrible! no ifs or buts about it! I'm not a hater or a dwarf or hobbit whatever u Internet freaks call them lol first time I've ever posted on a website, and I've had Internet since 1997! Seriously this movie falls behind alien ressurection it's that bad. I've been so looking forward to this movie since it was first mentioned. I don't think any new movies these days or in the future will ever have the "magic" cult classic movies had in the 70's 80's and early 90's, wouldn't you agree?
Cypher
Co-AdminMemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:31 AMI'm sorry to say it but I do actually agree with that statement.
[url=http://www.robocopmovie.net/][img]http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac89/snorkelbottom/NewRoboBanner.jpg[/img][/url]
"Is it dead this time?" "I dunno, poke it with this stick and see."
Drakeequation
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:38 AMThe complaints I have read from critics have nothing to do with the Alien connection. Most imply that the script does not do justice to the big topics this film is trying to address (creation, meeting our makers, immortality, etc...). I have been somewhat baffled that people who state the the film had great visuals and was entertaining cannot understand why people looking for a deeper story did not like the film. There have been many entertaining films with great visuals in recent years (Inception, Avatar, X-Men: First Class, The Avengers) that some people did not enjoy. What this film tried to do was to tackle big issues that many people are very serious about and, from the many negative reviews I've read, it seems the script did not respect that. It seems like the story was very formulaic and offered the standard "commercial" film experience it thought general audiences expected (minor characters dying off one by one, plenty of violent monsters, heroine kicking butt, happy ending, xeno at the end) INSTEAD of doing something new and original and going off in its own direction.
dtrisml
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:40 AMI think the problem is this: It's a hardcore sci-fi movie (...well, that, and the ending *was* kinda goofy...). It has been such a lamentably long time since *true* science fiction got any kind of real backing in Hollywood that it's a complete curve-ball to try to mass-market in this age. It's obvious to me from reading many of the reviews that what a lot of people are really complaining about is that this a film that requires the viewer to do some *thinking*, and possibly answer a few questions for themselves. Still, it's hovering at around 80 percent on Rotten Tomatoes (i.e. it's a hit - at least in Europe), so I think it's safe to say that it's appreciated. I also think it's safe to say, if nothing else, that this is a film that will be talked about and debated for years, which is a lot better than something cut-and-dried and completely self-explanatory if you ask me.
Drakeequation
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:47 AM@ dtrisml I do not think the statement, "what a lot of people are really complaining about is that this a film that requires the viewer to do some *thinking*" is very fair to many of the people who did not like the film. In essence, it suggests that they did not like it because they are not intelligent enough to appreciate it. From reading many of the negative reviews on this site and others, I have learned that there are some very smart people who did not like the film one bit and whose past favorite films are high brow science fiction movies. I think it is important to be aware of how your comments will be interpreted by members of this site who may not agree with you. For the sake of civility I think we should refrain from using phrases akin to: "If you like this film then you must be..." or "If you didn't like this film then you are...".
Alain
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:48 AMWell You only have 2 days left to figure it by yourself don't you ? :)
Alain
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 12:49 AMhaven't you... Drat... Question tags are such a pain for french people....
Chris
AdminEngineerJun-05-2012 12:56 AMI'm not getting into another one of these debates, but I had to say I really like this statement from the OP:
[i]In fact, it actually bothers me that we have a unique film in our midst and people are complaining about the most baseless trivialities. In a world where horrible movies like Saw and The Hangover get huge amounts of money at the box office , we are given a beautiful film full of ideas, a story that is near heartbreaking and the beginning of something that could be huge (with any sequels) and people are poo-pooing because somebody plays a flute in it.[/i]
Prometheus is a film that makes us THINK and is a rare sight these days with films like Twilight, The Hangover, Saw, etc... We should appreciate Prometheus for what it is and not for what you wanted it to be. And it definitely does not fall BELOW Alien Rez.. That's a ridiculous statement to make on any account. Perhaps go re-watch Alien Rez before making that statement, specifically the last 30 minutes... *facepalm*
Welcome to the boards [b]Mizere[/b], glad to have you with us! I think you nailed it with your post up there. I really like the points you brought up.
prometheusfanatic
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 1:03 AMi jsut love the movie! it is amazing! just watched it.. (moderated)
CAP
MemberOvomorphJun-05-2012 1:04 AMMizere... I haven't seen the movie yet and I have to say that I'm happy to see a post that understands the level of expectations a film can create. I myself am looking forward to seeing what Ridley Scott has created. I've always been a big fan and I take each of his films as they come. What I'm looking for in this film has to do more with the concept of science and religion. With religion is GOD. With science is evolution. They both have flaws. Mostly because of our own inability to grasp what we don't understand, but in a basic sense Religion is obvious with it's faith and science with it's missing link. The difference sometimes is how we were brought up... I myself am somewhat religious, but not practicing... on the other hand with more knowledge, I have more questions... Discovery is so interesting, but the reality of what we find may not be. It may be beautiful... or frightening.
If we can't see past our own trivial criticisms and explore the mind of the artist, then we might not ever see another film with this kind of ambition. I don't think most people understand how hard it is to get a film like this made. Hollywood won't see the point to do it again if it doesn't make the kind of money it needs to make. I plan to see it and see it again and I hope more people do for the sake of the genre. The good news is that Ridley is not finished with this genre so I'm very pleased, as I'm sure most of you are as well.
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