Prometheus - Sophie's Thoughts

In response to Ralph's previous review (to which I am completely accepting of - everyone is entitled to their own opinion etc) I would like to offer the following few comments.

For the people who know me well, they know the following things -
1) I am definitely not a person who thinks logically
2) I have little or no concentration most of the time
3) I will always choose a good story over special effects
4) many of my favourite films are ones I don't (or only realise a long time after) that I do not understand
5) I don't have much interest in Alien but I do love Blade Runner - I will challenge anyone to a duel over their      knowledge of this film.
6) and of course this one - I am a HUGE Lost fan...don't care how many questions went unanswered, for me this was just how the show was, I didn't need answers and I loved the ending...what were people actually expecting? I would like to know some alternative suggestions.

So onto Prometheus...

1) I wasn't really paying attention to the plot as I was too blown away by the visuals....lighting, sound, cinematography, you know..the usual stuff I'm into!

2) I went into the cinema with absolutely no expectations whatsoever, hadn't read a thing about it and thought I would be completely bored seeing as Alien doesn't interest me much anyway...how many god damn times must I hear the endless possible meanings as to why Ripley strips down to her underwear at the end? Because she wanted to, that's probably why. Basically I had/have no idea what all these connections between the films are.

3) I totally believed the entire time David was a good guy...was he? Whatever, the scene where he poured the vodka was great and I was relieved he survived. It forced me to revisit that old classic Shame afterwards which I now like a lot more.

4) I thought the self abortion type scene was great and this was when I really started paying attention. I hadn't made the connection with David infecting the other guy or whatever, I was really just taking this in scene by scene and trying to pay as much attention to the story as I could while inwardly gushing about the film's beauty.

5) I find those who base their enjoyment of things on logic to be cold hearted creatures who should maybe lighten up a bit and just enjoy stuff cos it's entertaining and doesn't need to make sense to be so...

6) Director's get worse as they get older...for example George Lucas and Tim Burton. Scott's released some decent films in the last decade but none of them are particularly memorable. Gladiator was epic, Kingdom of Heaven wasn't, but supposedly the director's cut is a great improvement.
Scott is known for altering his films (without taking anything away from fans of the originals) so there may be many versions of this still to come...he has said there is much that could be added and altered.

Most importantly...I just loved it because I thought it was amazing. And no matter how many people try to tell me this is wrong, I will not give in!

4.2/5


"Don't listen to the hype"...as someone once said.

You Can't Stop the Signal: Homage in Firefly and Serenity

Joss Whedon's short-lived sci-fi western show Firefly and its movie Serenity is set in a universe which combines the old with the new...sci-fi referring to a future setting and western to a lifestyle that is for the most part no longer relevant. Within this is displayed a number of characteristics which can be viewed as homage to classic films which make up the science fiction canon. Apart from the well known similarities between Captain Mal Reynolds and Star Wars' Han Solo, there are a host of other links to be acknowledged.

The vast plains the ship lands on are also reminiscent of those in Star Wars, as is the western style of dress worn by Mal, Zoe, and most of the main cast. Notably these are also aspects which can be seen in the final and  futuristic episode of Dollhouse, Epitaph Two.

However a contrast to this would be the large amount of Oriental symbolism, language and clothing depicted in the Firefly 'verse'. For myself, Orientalism in science fiction is a representation of mass growth and overpopulation. For example Ridley Scott's Blade Runner shows a world which has become so technologically advanced, overpopulated and polluted that its inhabitants are urged to seek a new life on the 'off-shore colonies'.

 In Firefly the earth's resources have also been used up, resulting in a move to other planets. Something that is also interesting however is that although we see hints of Orientalism in many of the casts outfits, it is Inara, a prostitute, who wears the finest Orient inspired clothes and has an elaborately decorated shuttle. This may be seen as another example of Whedon the feminist - creating a world where high class prostitutes are looked upon with awe and utmost respect.

Finally, aspects of the definitive sci-fi film, Alien, is also present in the Firefly verse. The ships in both are similar, flying through space in eerie silence. The meeting point for all on board Serenity is in the kitchen, where Ripley's crew also gather to converse.

 Unlike Alien and Blade Runner though, the Firefly universe is a hopeful place. There are elements of both utopia and dystopia, and no matter what situation this crew get themselves into there's always time for some comic relief.  Therefore although Whedon's creation owes a lot to the films mentioned above, its inspiring characters and mix of cultures place it in a more positive future where life seems to be worth the struggle.