PROMETHEUS Thread - PROMETHEUS 2 "Moving Ahead"

[AndyDursin]

Not sure there's going to be a Director's Cut so much as either an extended cut -- or simply the deleted scenes in a supplement.

SCOTT: This is fundamentally the director’s cut. But there will be half an hour of stuff on the menu because people are so into films—how they’re made, how they’re set up, and the rejections in it. That’s why it’s fascinating. So this will all go on to the menu.

Well I’m curious about the deleted scenes. Specifically in this film, Noomi [Rapace] mentioned maybe there was a fight scene with her and an Engineer.

SCOTT: The Engineer fight scene was pretty good. It will definitely go on the menu. It won’t go on the long version. The problem about it is, while she gives as good as she gets with an axe (she’s very physical), he’s so big, for him to be clouted with a conventional weapon somehow diminished him. It’s subtle. It’s drama. I didn’t want to diminish him by having this person who has a weapon to be able to back him off. It minimized him. That’s why when he deals with people inside his cockpit, it’s over. Wham, wham, wham. Even the shot doesn’t mean anything. And so all she has time for is introducing him to the big boy inside the lab.

You’re going to do an extended cut on the Blu-ray/DVD. Is it a lot longer?

SCOTT: Twenty minutes.

So there’s, like, twenty minutes that will be added back in for a longer version?

SCOTT: Maybe. But I’m so happy with this engine, the way it is right now. I think it’s fine. I think it works. It can go in a section where, if you really want to tap in, look at the menu. To see how things are long, and it’s too long. Dramatically, I’m about putting bums on seats. For me to separate my idea of commerce from art—I’d be a fool. You can’t do that. I wouldn’t be allowed to do the films I do. So I’m very user friendly as far as the studios are concerned. To a certain extent, I’m a businessman. I’m aware that’s what I have to do. It’s my job. To say, “Screw the audience.” You can’t do that. “Am I communicating?” is the question. Am I communicating? Because if I’m not, I need to address it.

http://collider.com/ridley-scott-promet ... ew/172202/

[mkaroly]

Extended cut or supplemental section of deleted scenes....either way I'd be happy.

Also, now that I think about it (thanks to talking with a friend)...I'd be interested to know what David told the Engineer before the Engineer went beserk and started up the ship. Hmmm...

[Eric W.]

Not sure there's going to be a Director's Cut so much as either an extended cut -- or simply the deleted scenes in a supplement.

SCOTT: This is fundamentally the director’s cut. But there will be half an hour of stuff on the menu because people are so into films—how they’re made, how they’re set up, and the rejections in it. That’s why it’s fascinating. So this will all go on to the menu.

Well I’m curious about the deleted scenes. Specifically in this film, Noomi [Rapace] mentioned maybe there was a fight scene with her and an Engineer.

SCOTT: The Engineer fight scene was pretty good. It will definitely go on the menu. It won’t go on the long version. The problem about it is, while she gives as good as she gets with an axe (she’s very physical), he’s so big, for him to be clouted with a conventional weapon somehow diminished him. It’s subtle. It’s drama. I didn’t want to diminish him by having this person who has a weapon to be able to back him off. It minimized him. That’s why when he deals with people inside his cockpit, it’s over. Wham, wham, wham. Even the shot doesn’t mean anything. And so all she has time for is introducing him to the big boy inside the lab.

You’re going to do an extended cut on the Blu-ray/DVD. Is it a lot longer?

SCOTT: Twenty minutes.

So there’s, like, twenty minutes that will be added back in for a longer version?

SCOTT: Maybe. But I’m so happy with this engine, the way it is right now. I think it’s fine. I think it works. It can go in a section where, if you really want to tap in, look at the menu. To see how things are long, and it’s too long. Dramatically, I’m about putting bums on seats. For me to separate my idea of commerce from art—I’d be a fool. You can’t do that. I wouldn’t be allowed to do the films I do. So I’m very user friendly as far as the studios are concerned. To a certain extent, I’m a businessman. I’m aware that’s what I have to do. It’s my job. To say, “Screw the audience.” You can’t do that. “Am I communicating?” is the question. Am I communicating? Because if I’m not, I need to address it.

http://collider.com/ridley-scott-promet ... ew/172202/

C'mon Ridley: Just handle this the way you handled the Kingdom of Heaven Director's Cut/Extended Cut whatever you want to call it, please? Don't make us have to tapdance through the friggin' menus. Come on!

[AndyDursin]

The center of the film could be less rushed and probably would benefit from some additional footage, but I do think there's something to be said for the fact that the film doesn't stop moving. That fight between Noomi and the Engineer at the end -- I figured he cut it out, because typically, you see a big confrontation at the end...yet I don't think it lost anything by losing something that was probably pretty cliched. Would like to see it though!

[Monterey Jack]

8/10

Considering the mixed reviews, I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this, although I can understand why people expecting Alien 1.0 came away disappointed. The visuals were gorgeous, the mixture of Big Think sci-fi concepts and ooky creature effects was deftly handled, and the film actually left somewhere to go for any potential sequels unlike some prequels I could mention (as much as I liked X-Men: First Class, the last 15 or so minutes were horribly cluttered with material that should have been left for additional movies). Even the score was decent, although it's kind of scary that the most melodic, "questing" theme was penned by Harry Gregson-Williams. I can't wait to see the director's cut to see if some of the narrative hiccups are smoothed out.

[Eric W.]

Even the score was decent, although it's kind of scary that the most melodic, "questing" theme was penned by Harry Gregson-Williams. I can't wait to see the director's cut to see if some of the narrative hiccups are smoothed out.

Kind of sad and ironic really since he's had his sorry butt bailed out a number of times in the past most notably on Kingdom of Heaven where they tracked in Goldsmith's 13th Warrior for the critical climax scene of the entire film and it was laughable how much better and effective that music was.

[AndyDursin]

Even the score was decent, although it's kind of scary that the most melodic, "questing" theme was penned by Harry Gregson-Williams.

Probably the best thing he's ever written. FWIW of course...but I found it effective.

Again, if you had heard the soundtrack album first, you'd have expected something much worse than what ended up on-screen.

[Eric W.]

Probably the best thing he's ever written. FWIW of course...but I found it effective.

Again, if you had heard the soundtrack album first, you'd have expected something much worse than what ended up on-screen.

I'm surprised you would buy anything with either of their names on it let alone sight unseen.

Unless you got hooked up with a promo copy or something.

[AndyDursin]

Got a review copy.

[Eric W.]

Got a review copy.

Figured. I was gonna say!

[John Johnson]

8/10

Considering the mixed reviews, I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this, although I can understand why people expecting Alien 1.0 came away disappointed. The visuals were gorgeous, the mixture of Big Think sci-fi concepts and ooky creature effects was deftly handled, and the film actually left somewhere to go for any potential sequels unlike some prequels I could mention (as much as I liked X-Men: First Class, the last 15 or so minutes were horribly cluttered with material that should have been left for additional movies). Even the score was decent, although it's kind of scary that the most melodic, "questing" theme was penned by Harry Gregson-Williams. I can't wait to see the director's cut to see if some of the narrative hiccups are smoothed out.

And in other news today, Prometheus director Ridley Scott has revealed (in this interview with Collider) http://collider.com/ridley-scott-promet ... ew/172202/ that a good 20-30 minutes of footage was cut from the film for its theatrical release and that he intends to restore it for a longer DVD and Blu-ray cut - something he's done for many of his Fox films in recent years. Without spoiling anything for those who have yet to see Prometheus, I must say that I have very mixed feelings about the film. But I'm certainly hopeful that I'll be happier with the longer cut on Blu-ray. This is exactly what happened for me with Scott's Kingdom of Heaven. I disliked the theatrical version but the added footage in the extended cut of that film really made all the difference. So fingers crossed. The film's production design is certainly spectacular and the 3D experience is actually worth seeing.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#061212

[AndyDursin]

I posted that info a few days ago.

I don't think the added footage will do anything to totally change people's perceptions because I think a lot of folks are missing the boat with this movie. Time will tell, but I think the film has been totally misinterpreted. As time goes on I think more people will appreciate Prometheus for what it is, not what it isn't, but it's not going to happen overnight. More footage will help streamline a bit of the narrative, perhaps, but the fundamental element the dissenters seem to echo is that the movie isn't what they were expecting, and they attack the film on grounds that it's not the film they were hoping to see.

I also hate to say this kind of thing, but I truly believe the film is over the heads of some viewers. Some of the harshest reviews I've read are from people who clearly didn't understand what they were watching. Saying that the film could have been improved here or there is fine, but there are people who just didn't get it, like this one:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/56423/prometheus/

"False ending"? A climax cribbed from ID4 and Armageddon? SERIOUSLY?

That's one of the most clueless reviews I've ever read, anywhere. A total and complete misunderstanding of the film and what it was about.

[Eric W.]

I also hate to say this kind of thing, but I truly believe the film is over the heads of some viewers. Some of the harshest reviews I've read are from people who clearly didn't understand what they were watching. Saying that the film could have been improved here or there is fine, but there are people who just didn't get it, like this one:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/56423/prometheus/

"False ending"? A climax cribbed from ID4 and Armageddon? SERIOUSLY?

That's one of the most clueless reviews I've ever read, anywhere. A total and complete misunderstanding of the film and what it was about.

Couldn't agree more. This thing actually has an IQ...that's not going to fly for a lot of these people basically.

[AndyDursin]

Just to reiterate because I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea: I'm not saying at all that the movie was flawless. However I think the people who think it's awful simply don't get it. I read one guy I followed on Twitter say it was worse than (yes) Battleship and Dark Shadows, and that the plot made "no sense". I mean, come on. What is wrong with you?? lol.

[Eric W.]

Just to reiterate because I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea: I'm not saying at all that the movie was flawless. However I think the people who think it's awful simply don't get it. I read one guy I followed on Twitter say it was worse than (yes) Battleship and Dark Shadows, and that the plot made "no sense". I mean, come on. What is wrong with you?? lol.

See the above IQ comment.