Ridley Scott to direct prequel to Alien!!!!!!....

[GaijinPunch]

Michael Bay would have made a ten times better movie with his eyes closed.

Your gay for Michael Bay.

[Randorama]

Michael Bay would have made a ten times better movie with his eyes closed.

Your gay for Michael Bay.

I was totally sold after The rock. Which was a more intellectually stimulating movie than this, dammit. Why? Because, well, I said so. Who wouldn't?

[GaijinPunch]

I wouldn't. I watched a few scenes on some shit TV station recently... well... not that recently, but I was probably baked and laughed my balls off it was so bad.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Also, you don't run around 5 seconds after having a C-section.

The Dr. Shaw character pumped herself full of painkillers before & after that horrifying C-section procedure. She could've easily subcummed to the birth of her own alien flesh & blood if the mechanical forceps failed it's iron-like grip on the simplistic newborn facehugger. Quite a lively little thing possessing such strength once it sheds it's protective sac casing.

Where the Engineers got all that mysterious black gooey stuff stored in those containers is anybody's guess. Perhaps, they developed it in their experimental labs on their home planet? Or discovered it on one of their routes of interstellar travel?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Leader Bee]

I also agree that it's stupid when prequels are made that have noticeably advanced technology over their originators. I noticed that same thing with the Star Wars prequels.

For real life examples see Europe after the fall of the Roman empire up until circa AD 1000; There's a reason it's called the dark ages. I can handle it in Starwars because the republic in the new films is a financially and logistically stable entity spanning galaxies but it stands to reason that after a clone war the manufacturing and financial industries have gone to pot and worlds are making do with what finite resources they have left, they dont have access to the high technology they used to. not that it doesn't, or rather, never exist.

I haven't seen Prometheus but a crippling universal war doesn't seem like a key theme and a technology regression doesnt make sense I agree, it's as if writers have not taken into consideration the previous movies and the technological continuity has been ignored in favour of the flashy holo-touch screen world the 'IPod generation' wants to see.

[Moniker]

it's as if writers have not taken into consideration the previous movies and the technological continuity has been ignored in favour of the flashy holo-touch screen world the 'IPod generation' wants to see.

It would be more objectionable, I think, for the filmmakers to continue using terminal-based computers in sci-fi long after their obsolescence in reality. I still find it sorta jarring whenever I watch sci-fi from the 80s, and just after the date marquee "2097 AD" fades, the main character looks into his/her monochrome IBM monitor.

[emphatic]

20 minute extended Bluray's coming.

Also, essential reading: http://cavalorn.livejournal.com/584135.html#cutid1

[Leader Bee]

it's as if writers have not taken into consideration the previous movies and the technological continuity has been ignored in favour of the flashy holo-touch screen world the 'IPod generation' wants to see.

It would be more objectionable, I think, for the filmmakers to continue using terminal-based computers in sci-fi long after their obsolescence in reality. I still find it sorta jarring whenever I watch sci-fi from the 80s, and just after the date marquee "2097 AD" fades, the main character looks into his/her monochrome IBM monitor.

You see, the thing is that a movie is it's own isolated reality and if were told that terminal-based computers are enough to run a space microwave or whatever then why should i argue? it's about what works within the worlds established fiction. Thats why you accept vacuum tube based computers in the world of fallout when there's the ability to make ray guns.

[Randorama]

I wouldn't. I watched a few scenes on some shit TV station recently... well... not that recently, but I was probably baked and laughed my balls off it was so bad.

Humour detector off, I guess?

[Moniker]

it's as if writers have not taken into consideration the previous movies and the technological continuity has been ignored in favour of the flashy holo-touch screen world the 'IPod generation' wants to see.

It would be more objectionable, I think, for the filmmakers to continue using terminal-based computers in sci-fi long after their obsolescence in reality. I still find it sorta jarring whenever I watch sci-fi from the 80s, and just after the date marquee "2097 AD" fades, the main character looks into his/her monochrome IBM monitor.

You see, the thing is that a movie is it's own isolated reality and if were told that terminal-based computers are enough to run a space microwave or whatever then why should i argue? it's about what works within the worlds established [by] fiction.

Considered that way, would it not make sense for a ragtag salvage ship to be using cheap, old, but functional tech, while a ship commissioned by the richest dude ever (though somewhat earlier in time) would have super-cool holo screens?

In any case, like it or not, audience expectations must factor in. Certainly Scott realized when making Alien that by the time the story took place, computers would be vastly more sophisticated, but he used terminals because that's what people at the time were used to. In the case of Prometheus, while many (probably most) of the people who saw it would have seen Alien, they would be expecting the tech to match or surpass what they're used to today. Since the point of continuity isn't a very important one, I'd say it's better to break continuity with past installments than to break continuity with reality.

For another Ridley Scott example, imagine the mass confusion that would have resulted if in Gladiator he had maintained the ancient thumb meanings of up-kill, and down-spare. A little inaccuracy is worth it if it means not breaking the illusion.

[GaijinPunch]

I wouldn't. I watched a few scenes on some shit TV station recently... well... not that recently, but I was probably baked and laughed my balls off it was so bad.

Humour detector off, I guess?

Well, I figured you were trying to underscore your hate for Prometheus. When I watch shit like The Rock I can't believe Nicholas Cage was in one of the best movies ever.

[neorichieb1971]

So the oily container at the beginning turns the big Arnold lookalike into DNA which allows aliens to be spawned from?

Does the lady in the ship at the end fly from LV223 to LV426?

So many holes in this film. I suppose it could save itself with a good sequel that cleans things up a bit.

[GaijinPunch]

So many holes in this film. I suppose it could save itself with a good sequel that cleans things up a bit.

And the best one was apparently filled w/ Stringer Bell's cock, but we didn't get to see that part.

[Moniker]

So the oily container at the beginning turns the big Arnold lookalike into DNA which allows aliens to be spawned from?

Does the lady in the ship at the end fly from LV223 to LV426?

I think the black oil creates parasites which lead to major mutation depending on what it bonds with. Haven't quite worked out the particulars.. presumably Engineer + oil = parasite, Parasite + ape = human. Or something like that. But then, Human + oil = squid, squid + Engineer = Alien...? I think there were different oil container types, which I guess have different effects. The one that made the squid apparently was meant to wipe out humanity.

She said she was going to the Engineer homeworld w/ David. If there's no sequel, I'm guessing we're to assume she pulls a Ripley and crashes on LV426.

[GaijinPunch]

Anyone figured out why the engineer at the first basically killed himself? I'll admit, I drank all day before I saw this movie.

[moonblood]

I think he sacrificed himself to start life on earth?

It's been more than a week since I saw it now and I've had some time to think about it, and the more I do the more I agree with what I think Randorama wrote; 'they really should've made up their minds about wether or not they wanted to connect this movie to the alien universe'.

I did not like that the black goo could work in so many different ways.. especially the giant squid at the end was really stupid. Compared to the well thought-out standard alien life cycle it's all just silly

and the surgery scene, when she just gets up and starts running again? stupid. Why didn't they follow her? and then not a word from david about it? bad flow

Also as everyone says, weyland's 'old man' make up was bad.
and the proto-alien at the end.. unnecessary and stupid as well, would've been better without it

The engineers were cool though, and the sets looked good

but I think they fucked it up with the re-write, it probably started as a more traditional prequel where the urns where eggs, etc.. Now I never watched lost but I've come to understand that that writer likes to come up with stuff without explaining much, and that's fine, everything doesn't have to be logical and explained..

But if you're going to set the movie within the alien universe, well..
I wish they hadn't tried to come up with so many new ideas, it should have connected better (without the need for sequels). It probably would've been better if Ridley just would've made an entirely new sci fi instead, without re-using elements he liked from his old movies

Sorry about my so-so english

[Op Intensify]

Maybe this will get a Director's/Final Cut on DVD like Blade Runner. Feels like the kind of thing that could be salvaged by better editing.

[RGC]

Definitely some over-reactions going on, even if the film does have gaping holes, cliches, and hideous contrivances. There is something ironic about spending several paragraphs explaining why something has zero artistic merit. I mean, if that were the case it would be self-evident. Are you going to such great pains purely to assist morons in understanding why they are incorrect in enjoying a particular movie? If so, my sarcastic "Your opinion is wrong" comment applies - intended as a preemptive response to what always seems to happen around here.

[Randorama]

Are you going to such great pains purely to assist morons in understanding why they are incorrect in enjoying a particular movie? If so, my sarcastic "Your opinion is wrong" comment applies - intended as a preemptive response to what always seems to happen around here.

Just asserting that something rocks or sucks without saying why is...not even wrong. Again, I said why I think that the movie sucks balls (with awesome bullet point list!). Positive comments in this thread are "whoa, cool, this is art, nuff said".

So, I rock, you all suck, and GP likes Transformers but does not want to admit it, dammit!

But aside this, and regarding the continuity problem. In the Alien works, they always imply that the xenomorphs don't have a definitive shape. They always genetically piggyback on their hosts, for morphological features. In Aliens 3, one alien has dog-like features, because the face-hugger captured a dog. In Aliens vs. Predator 2, they show that the main enemy is the pred-alien. Similar mutations appear in the comics, too.

Now, in Prometheus they seem to suggest that the black stuff contains the xenomorphs, which are genetically engineered by the Jockeys. If this holds, then the Jockeys were apparently destroyed by their own creations, much like in the comic Aliens: the destroying angels.

This creates the incosistency with Predator, in which Predators also use the xenomorphs as biological weapons and "hunting cattle". I don't think that this last aspect matters, but it looks like their desire to appease the fans was half-hearted, to the point that they are really inconsistent in how they use previous material.

Anyway, the mistery is, why the xenomorph from the lady's womb looks like a squid, as a pup, and as an elder thing (from Lovecraft's mythos), as an adult? Didn't they have the rights to use xenomorphs, perhaps...? And what is the xenomorphs' true form?

And, isn't the "black goo" idea also used in, say, The thing and X-Files?

And yes, what the initial scene is supposed to represent?

[mesh control]

OH HEY DO REMEMBER ME I WAS IN THOSE ONE MOVIES

well at least this turd is better than AVP.


Rando, the first scene is the space jockey planting life on earth by sacrificing himself with the black semen.

At least that's what I got from it.

[GaijinPunch]

Never saw any of the Transformers movies.

[burgerkingdiamond]

Never saw any of the Transformers movies.

Good for you. I wish I could say the same.

[DEL]

Rando wrote;

And yes, what the initial scene is supposed to represent?

Seeding Earth innit.

GaijinPunch wrote;

And the best one was apparently filled w/ Stringer Bell's cock, but we didn't get to see that part.

HAHA!

Rando also wrote;

Anyway, the mystery is, why the xenomorph from the lady's womb looks like a squid

Yeah, you got me on that one. More inconsistency.

GaijinPunch also wrote;

Never saw any of the Transformers movies.

Lucky Barstard!
Unfortunately I endured Shia le Bland in the first one. I wised-up quickly though. Avoided the rest.

[Hagane]

Gonna watch Prometheus this Tuesday, because in buttfuck Argentina we get this one week late.

Rando hates it but he likes Michael Bay so maybe it's not that bad.

[Randorama]

...there are too many people thinking I like Michael Bay, certainly because you're a bunch of merry pranksters who would profit by such an unfortunate state of affairs. My actual opinion on this chap and the people who enjoy his movies would make Dr. Mengele blush, I think.

I should refuse going to the cinema anymore, even if for free, dammit.

EDIT: I should avoid sci-fi which has any religious content whatsoever. I mean, my favourite short novel in this genre is Moorcock's Behold the man, dammit.

[GaijinPunch]

Gonna watch Prometheus this Tuesday, because in buttfuck Argentina we get this one week late.

Rando hates it but he likes Michael Bay so maybe it's not that bad.

Japan still doesn't have it! I am on a business trip so got to see it here.

[blackoak]

spoilers below


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my problem with this film wasn't the technology or the other incongruities with Alien/Aliens. Of course it would be best if they could artfully link these films, but I'm willing to accept a certain degree of reimagining/rebooting, provided its interesting. The Ripley arc pretty much concluded with 1/2 anyways, and I choose to ignore the existence of Alien 3/4.

No, my problem with Prometheus was the absolutely implausible, horrible decisions the characters seem to constantly make. And as these "bad decisions" are the key plot points which advance the drama, its very difficult to take seriously. Its yet another script which infantalizes the audience with such characterizations as an anthropologist/archeologist who makes wildly speculative conclusions about the Engineers; scientists who are apparently geniuses within their fields but so stupid they "pet" an alien life form; going off alone/splitting up; the two co-pilots just deciding to die at the end (wtf?); the character not running TO THE LEFT when the ship falls, but then miraculously rolling out of the way (wtf???)... and many more. I mean, I could write a deeper analysis about all these points but it would be a waste of time.

To that end I agree with some critics who say this film is confused. It wants to be contemplative and thoughtful in its examination of cosmic horror, and yet it constantly hurks and jurks with typically stupid teenage-horror-cliche characterizations. The approaches are mutually undermining.

It was especially disappointing because the aesthetic of the film was pretty good. This could have been a good film if the scriptwriter/editors/corporate monkeywrenchers didn't treat the audience like ignorant American teenagers.

[kid aphex]

Nowadays it's rare that big budget movies take any risks, or challenge moviegoers understandings of aesthetics, technology, etc.
Usually, studio's (understandable, but in my eyes unforgivable) desires to appeal to the mainstream end up ruining the chance of anything genuinely interesting being produced
Undoubtedly, Scott's clout as a director let an incredible amount of atypical design choice sneak through, and I dug it all

I was just happy to see a big budget sci-fi movie that wasn't totally devoid of artistic direction;
more precisely, one that possessed a novel and cohesive aesthetic
Even as someone who loves Alien, I was too impressed with the style of this movie to be bothered with it's inconsistencies

Plus, ever since the trailer suggested it, I was thrilled at the prospect of an 80's-scifi-throwback-black-crewman-archetypal character...
I think they totally did it/him justice

[DEL]

spoilers below
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blackoak wrote;

No, my problem with Prometheus was the absolutely implausible, horrible decisions the characters seem to constantly make. And as these "bad decisions" are the key plot points which advance the drama, its very difficult to take seriously. Its yet another script which infantalizes the audience with such characterizations as an anthropologist/archeologist who makes wildly speculative conclusions about the Engineers; scientists who are apparently geniuses within their fields but so stupid they "pet" an alien life form; going off alone/splitting up; the two co-pilots just deciding to die at the end (wtf?); the character not running TO THE LEFT when the ship falls, but then miraculously rolling out of the way (wtf???)... and many more. I mean, I could write a deeper analysis about all these points but it would be a waste of time.

I totally agree.
* Petting an Alien after seeing huge engineers running away like mad, and having been shit scared (rightfully) of any chance of meeting a lifeform just minutes earlier, and walking the other way from the reported presence.
* the character not running TO THE LEFT when the ship falls - yup!
* A geologist rejecting any kind of curiosity about what's behind the door and sodding off almost as soon as he gets inside the complex.
* The head exploding is pointless, as I mentioned before.
* The Jockey not saying anything intelligent - in fact nothing at all. A complete script writer's cop-out . Just dumbed down.

kid aphex wrote;

I was too impressed with the style of this movie to be bothered with it's inconsistencies

Ridley's always got bundles of style. That's a given.
Blade Runner had crazy amounts of style, but was accused of being too short and therefore low on total content.

Plus, ever since the trailer suggested it, I was thrilled at the prospect of an 80's-scifi-throwback-black-crewman-archetypal character...
I think they totally did it/him justice

Well, yeah Stringer Bell is there.
Justice? Nearly.

[RGC]

regarding the continuity problem.

Sorry to flog this one, but why is it a problem that the two stories do not perfectly align when the director has suggested they're not likely to? There is overlap, yet incongruity, much like the Lovecraft mythos you alluded to. (wasn't ol' H.P. himself guilty of failing to be 100% consistent, yet we don't go and queue up to micturate on his grave about it). What we see with Prometheus is part and parcel of the 'reimagining' (urgh!) process, and if you stop obsessing about absolute logical consistency, then your problem vanishes. I don't think it's automatically lazy of the filmmaker to allow the viewer to make up their own minds where there are explanatory gaps. Neither is it pretentious to be someone who enjoys doing this.

And yes, what the initial scene is supposed to represent?

I thought it was Earth at first, but now I believe it could just be any of the planets the engineers had aeons ago identified as habitable.

Edit: I wholeheartedly agree about some of the ridiculous decisions characters made, especially the two co-pilots, and ]the giant bagel scene.