Early Buzz: Ridley Scott’s ‘Prometheus’ (Spoiler-Free Video Blog And Reactions From The Web)
Ridley Scott’s science fiction 3D thrillerPrometheusscreened for the first time yesterday in London and France, and I was in attendance. 20th Century Fox doesn’t want me to review the film just yet (they’ve asked all the American journalists to hold off a week), but they’ve granted me permission to write/tweet/record a first reaction.
After the jump you’re able to find my thoughts in short, a video blog reaction I recorded with Alex fromFirstShowingand quotes from my colleagues that have also seen the film. I’ve made great efforts to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, but please be warned that clicking through to any of the linked reviews on this page (especially the Hollywood trades) will expose you to plot points and spoilers you probably don’t want to read before seeing the film.
Video Blog Reaction:Reactions from Twitter and the web:
Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm): I’ve been given the go ahead. I can tell you I’ve seen Prometheus and I can confirm that it is awesome. Not only is it thrilling, but it leaves you asking questions. (remember, @DamonLindelof is involved after all). The 3D looked great, and the film is visually stunning. Sadly, every trailer/tv spot gives away the story’s biggest “twist”, but I think the movie is enjoyable regardless. Michael Fassbender is amazing, stealing every scene he’s in.
Alex Billington (?@firstshowing): I just saw ?#Prometheus? last night – it was AWESOME. Loved it. Truly breathtaking, incredible, spectacular, thrilling sci-fi at its best. There’s a lot of freaky, disgusting, tense moments, but not outright ‘scare the shit out of me’ personally. You’ll dig.
Evan Dickson: So I can’t run a review just yet – but I can say that PROMETHEUS is really good. It’s simultaneously what you’re expecting and not what you’re expecting. Has some great moments. And not everything has been spoiled by the trailers. Still a bunch of surprises. It also requires you to engage and think along with it – you have to participate, which I like. My review is still under embargo and I might wait until tomorrow after I’ve seen the film again to write it. But I was not disappointed.
Larry Carroll? (@LarryCarroll): Other folks are blabbing, told I can too. “Prometheus” is the best Alien installment in decades; still, can’t touch the first 2 flicks. Fassbender steals every scene he’s in. Idris Elba also great. Beautifully shot, at least one instant classic scene. Leaves u wanting sequel.
Robbie Collin? (@robbiereviews): PROMETHEUS is, um, absolutely nuts. Not perfect by a stretch but there are ideas here you wouldn’t expect a studio to touch with a 10ft pole
Tom Wells (?@TomWellsLSF): Just seen @UK_Prometheus. People, prepare to have your minds blown! Only one thing wrong with it- I WANT MORE! Still can’t quite believe how good @UK_Prometheus is! One of the best I’ve seen in ages! Gotta see it again! ?#Prometheus? ?#AreYouSeeingThis?
Andrew Freund ?(@andrewfreund): Saw @PrometheusMovie last night and it was PHENOMENAL!! A new sci fi epic has been born!! Interviewing the cast today! My mind=blown. Phenomenal
Edward Douglas (@EDouglasWW): I’ve been given permission to say that I’ve seen Prometheus and I actually liked it quite a bit. Even seeing it again tomorrow!
Mark Adams (ScreenDaily): …with his fantasy epic Prometheus it is clear his striking sense of vision, drama and excitement fits perfectly with the genre and he has delivered a film that is already one of the most anticipated titles of the summer and should thrill, challenge and provoke audiences ready for his signature brand of intelligent and visceral film-making. … One thing that Prometheus isn’t is an Alien-clone. Alien – despite that it may feel slowly-paced set against current editing styles – was a film that embraced its horror-in-space format, and after a slow-burn set up and magnificent central gore moment as the mini-alien bursts from John Hurt’s chest settled into a brilliantly shot monster movie before Sigourney Weaver’s final memorable battle. While Prometheus has some striking chilling moments it never plays the all-out horror card, instead developing the science alongside the action and punctuating the film with moments that jolt and amaze. … It is Michael Fassbender, though, who perhaps has the most fun in Prometheus.
Justin Chang (Variety): Elaborately conceived from a visual standpoint, Ridley Scott’s first sci-fier in the three decades since “Blade Runner” remains earthbound in narrative terms, forever hinting at the existence of a higher intelligence without evincing much of its own. … Yet a key difference between this film and its predecessor is one of volume. Incongruously backed by an orchestral surge of a score, the film conspicuously lacks the long, drawn-out silences and sense of menace in close quarters that made “Alien” so elegantly unnerving. Prometheus is one chatty vessel, populated by stock wise-guy types who spout tired one-liners when they’re not either cynically debunking or earnestly defending belief in a superior power. The picture’s very structure serves to disperse rather than build tension
Todd McCarthy (The Hollywood Reporter): A visually stunning return to science-fiction by Ridley Scott caters too much to audience expectations when more imaginative boldness would have taken it further. Ridley Scott’s third venture into science-fiction, after Alien in 1979 and Blade Runner in 1982, won’t become a genre benchmark like those classics despite its equivalent seriousness and ambition, but it does supply enough visual spectacle, tense action and sticky, slithery monster attacks to hit the spot with thrill-seeking audiences worldwide.
