Comments on: Review: Ridley Scott’s ‘Prometheus’ Is A Gorgeous, Fascinating Muddle Of Ideas That Can’t Stick The Landing

By: sven

sven — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

I have seen the movie and I can assure everybody: it's great. The review above is right, though: at the end, there are just to much ideas, but Scott goes for a more traditional Hollywood-spectacle ending.
But I do not agree with the C+, it's still one of the most visually impressive films i've seen lately, and the characters are intriguing, so i would definitely give it a B+ or even an A.

By: Xian

Xian — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

C+??? Really Playlist?

Worth noting a few things about Ridley Scott's new film. The original "Alien" we all know and love was going to be just a monster movie in space (original title was "Star Beast" during Dan O'Bannon's first draft) and the hope for the screenwriters was that Roger Corman might produce it. After being brought to Brandywine productions, the script got a big re-write (to O'Bannon's curmudgeonly displeasure) and added Ash the robot while changing the other characters and situations significantly. It then sat on the shelf at 20th Century Fox until the studio desperately needed another space picture after "Star Wars" hit big. Then, and only then, after Fox considered a number of directors, did it get classed-up by Ridley Scott and the design team Dan O'Bannon helped bring on (Cobb, Foss, Giger). Even then, upon its release, most critics found it a mixed bag and it got mixed reviews (though it did blockbuster business).

Mixed reviews are fairly typical of Sir Ridley's work… sometimes, the reviews are even scathing noting his films are empty save for the brilliant design… but over time, many critics have reconsidered some of his work and cast it in a much better light So, Sir Ridley gets categorized as a "world builder" in films rather than say, a master filmmaker on par with Kubrick and others in the pantheon of visionary directors.

"Blade Runner" was just as savaged by critics that found it a grim, but visionary bore. It did middling business, and I gather if "Alien" had lacked its classic horror movie jolts ("chestburster" scene, etc.) it too would have been dismissed by critics and ticket buyers (luckily, those scenes were in the first draft of the script and were crucial in getting the film made in the first place).

Anyway, I only mention this because with the burden of "Alien" (a film that still holds up quite well) on its shoulders, "Prometheus" would have a tough time living up to the classic film no matter what. I'm sure it will be pretty amazing in spite of the great expectations placed upon it.

By: Javi

Javi — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

The Avengers and 21 jump street A and Prometheus and C+? Really?

Mother of God…

By: Javi

Javi — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

There are two groups: Prometheus is GREAT (great majority) and Prometheus is "meh, dissapointing, visually stunning, fascinating, but the story has too many holes" (minority)

88% in Rotten Tomatoes, now.

I'm in the first group. This movie is awesome. With script problems, ok, but awesome in so many levels. Ridley work it's phenomenal (for me, deserve a Oscar nomination), visually is like a dream, Rapace and Fassbender are perfect, amazing scenes…

By: FranklinG

FranklinG — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

"How can this movie not be anything short of utterly amazing?" — be prepared for a lot of comments like this Playlist. Good review and seems fair in its balance of plaudits and criticisms. Still interested in seeing it, that's the whole point.

By: jake

jake — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

1. The reason this film received so much buzz is because it's Scott's first Sci-Film in 30 years.

2. This film could be polarizing, based on some of the reviews that I've read so far. So just because Oliver gave it a C, does not translate into being a bad film.

3. Shocked you, along with so many others, gave Avengers an A.

By: Mr Anonymous

Mr Anonymous — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

C+ grade. Tad harsh. Not good enough for a B grade? Really?

By: Great Scott!

Great Scott! — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

Worry not, peepz, the folks at the Playlist rarely seem to understand mainstream flicks. I come for the art house buzz and non-subjective news items and that's it.

By: Harry

Harry — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

And in today's inane self-aggrandizing movie review environment, how would Kubrick's 2001 have been reviewed? Hmm…

By: boby

boby — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

Prometheus is one of the worst script of 2012, no doubt. This movie is a real joke. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The scientific crew is just a band of morons. The last hour is a non-sense because of the unoumerous holes in the story. It would need at least more than 30 min of footage for having a coherent movie. Good special effects however but that's it. And don't watch it if you want scaring scenes : you'll be afraid only two minutes (and only if you haven't already see an Alien movie)
C+ is a too good grade for that pretentious and awfully bad movie. But congratulations to the marketing campaign, really one of the best of the last decade.

Congratulations

By: Yawn

Yawn — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

The only thing that caught my eye about this movie was Michael fassbennder… Then I watched some of his movies. jane eyre and haywire…. I was bored. He's definitely overrated.

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

This review sounds a little contradicting. You give this movie quite a lot of praise to assert that audiences shouldn't expect to be satisfied — "The most memorable movie moments of the years", "Visually stunning", "A-grade work", "The cast are excellent".

Obviously, it's hard to write a good review without spoiling the movie. But you did not exactly pinpoint why this movie was not satisfying, which makes me curious. I'm still really looking forward to seeing this movie in 3D Imax! Thanks for the review, Oliver.

By: hickslv426

hickslv426 — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

Don't be put off by some of the luke-warm reviews. The critics who have been somewhat negative to this movie are too busy trying to compare this movie to the original 'Alien'. Acting performances- Who wants Shakespeare in space? Who cares if some of the minor cast members are only there for alien fodder! Ridley has been saying for ages that it wasn't a direct sequel to 'Alien', but that seems to be forgotten by the critics. The problem with the movie was that Fox hyped the movie to high heavens and for that reason it wasn't going to exceed everyone's expectations. People keep reminding us that 'Gladiator' was Scott's last great movie, but remember 'Gladiator' was somewhat of a sleeper hit; nobody expected it to succeed. The sword and sandals genre was dead at that particular time. I say go in with an open mind and enjoy the movie on its own merits, not trying to compare it to either 'Blade runner' or 'Alien'.

By: KitCon

KitCon — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

Hmmm. I usually agree with Oli's reviews and his picks among Scott's film's below so I'll just have to make sure I savor the first 2/3 then.

By: Oogle monster

Oogle monster — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

Damn. But I kind of expected it to be fall below expectations. I'm still going opening day. Also, it's a shame Theron doesn't have a bigger/more versatile role (same with Snow White and the Huntsman… I hear she's quite campy) considering she's a damn good actress and her work in Young Adult was some of the best acting I've seen in awhile. Now onto TDKR…

By: jimmiescoffee

jimmiescoffee — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

i guess my thinking is that scott has not been all that commercially or critically acclaimed for quite a while. yet this film, based on a few nice trailers, got some serious talk in its favor for whatever reason. is it just because of the 'alien' connection? i guess…

By: [A]

[A] — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

Huge bummer. Still (obviously) seeing it in the big screen.

By: jimmiescoffee

jimmiescoffee — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

i like scott. i liked 'robin hood,' 'body of lies,' 'kingdom of heaven,' and think 'matchstick men' is really fucking underrated. but why did this film get so much GREAT buzz. i'm sure i'll like it, but did i ever think OLIVER LYTTELTON would like it? nope. i bet he has not really liked a Scott film since 1991 if not before he was old enough to buy a cinema ticket. no big deal, but the buzz this film got, and is getting always seemed strange to me. look at scott's past 10 years at minimum and tell me which one of those movies gets an A from this this type of blog. and i do not mean this to be negative. i enjoy the hell out of the writing here.

By: Andre

Andre — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

Yeah, it falls short. It's so gorgeous and insanely addictive that it makes you want to cry, but as a tieâin to the Alien universe it's somewhat disappointing. Anyway, it's more of a B+. Please.

By: Nik Grape

Nik Grape — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

Been on a bit of a movie hiatus but saw Prometheus last night and immediately needed to find out what you guys thought about it. Yep. It's a dissapointment. And I'm just angry at the marketing for this thing – making believe it was going to be this epic masterpiece and turning out to be nothing more than a generic sci fi flick. Gorgeous visuals and art direction not with standing, this was a huge huge let down..

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

I kind of feel bad for these reviewers who have to go watch a movie with such an analytical mindset. Its impossible to allow yourself to feel emerged in a movie when you can't stop critiquing it for ten seconds. Personally, I thought this movie rocked. Seriously amazing and I am so happy I don't have to watch great films like this and dump on it because it wasn't perfect. C+ really?? You are giving people the wrong idea my friend.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

I honestly dont understand how a vague ending warrants a C+ grade after what was mostly a glowing review. And what confuses me even more is that most critics seem to have problems with the ending. I see nothing wrong with the ending. It was perfectly understandable, and it made ME at least excited for another movie. Tons of movies end with anticipation for a sequel to get some unanswered questions..answered.

I wish I could unveil some spoilers in here, because it would make my point a lot easier to make lol but anyway, I understand hating when a movie asks a question in the beginning, and then it goes unanswered by the end, but that wasnt the case with this one. The ending questions that werent answered were only brought to light near the end anyway.

I dont know. I just dont understand all of the critique of this movie in particular. Amazing performances. Amazing visuals. Amazing lore. Great philosophical questions that keep you wondering after you leave the theater. What else is there to ask of a great sci-fi film?

By: Jens

Jens — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

A beautifully written review and gives me a real idea of what I'm in for. Thanks Oliver!

By: Oscar

Oscar — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

I really enjoyed this movie and found it satisfying. I love how it leaves us all wondering and wanting more, isn't that what makes movies fun and exciting?

By: Mia

Mia — Fri, 13 May 2016 12:22:56 +0000

I'm still looking forward to seeing it.

Frankly, looking at the amount of hype before, I'm not sure any film could equal that.