Alien Movie Universe

Prometheus - The Snorkelbottom Cut

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Gavin

MemberTrilobiteJan-06-2013 10:31 AM
Well Prometheus has come and gone, and has left quite a divided wake in its passing. There are those that love it and those that hate it, those that like its new direction and those that wish it had been more of an "Alien Prequel", and there are those that accept its inaccuracies and those that refuse to. All in all I personally thought Prometheus was a good film. But, IMO the movie had two key, major failings that stopped it becoming a great film... 1. The Narrative Pace - Too much happens in the movie, so much so that no scene is given time onscreen. We are rushed from one scene to another. 2. Questionable Editing - Many scenes changed drastically when the movie went into post production, and IMO not for the better. So it is with this that after many months of thought I give you, story wise Prometheus - The Snorkelbottom Cut. But rather than spell out the whole cut from start to end I will highlight the changes I would have made. IMO, this cut of the movie would have been better paced, narratively stronger and generally a better movie... [u]The Start[/u] [center][img]http://www.prometheus2-movie.com/media/prometheus_screencap64.jpg[/img][/center] I actually have no problems with the start of the movie, from the Engineers Sacrifice up until Shaw, Holloway, David and Ford enter the Ampule Chamber, I think the movie works well, but I think it is from that point the movie starts to suffer, so it is from here, the Ampule Chamber that the changes begin. However one change i would implement is the return of the following line from the trailers: Janek: Prometheus... has landed! [u]The Ampule Chamber[/u] [center][img]http://www.prometheus2-movie.com/media/prometheus_screencap29.jpg[/img][/center] Firstly the urns/ampules reaction to the change in atmosphere, I would have happen at a slower rate. Why? because I would like the four crew members in this room more time to explore the room, and soak up the mystery and atmosphere of the chamber. Aside from reverting the mysterious green crystal back to the cup (as was originally intended), the first major change would be thus: Janek: Ground crew, this is Janek. I need you to hustle back right now. Ground crew, do you copy. I got 200km winds and airborne silica and enough static to fry your suit. Shaw: (looks up at the other members, whom nod in return to her questioning gaze)... Negative captain, we'll stay inside the structure until the storm passes. Vickers: I strongly advise against that Dr. Shaw- Janek: We won't be able to come collect you 'til the storm passes. Holloway: Noted captain (smiles to Shaw), but we're staying. Of course such a change has adverse effects on the rest of the story which would need to be resolved if the team remained in the structure... [u]Leaving The Ampule Chamber[/u] Before Janek radio'ed Shaw, she was eager to leave the chamber because of the change in atmosphere affecting the room. Thus my previous mention of having said changes happen slower, so slow that Shaw does not notice them. This way the ampules can leak unnoticed (except maybe by David urging him to freeze and steal one) as Ford and Shaw run their tests on the dead Engineers head, in essence having the scenes that took place in the lab happen in the ampule room, but with the results of the DNA being processed back onboard Prometheus. The exploding of the Engineers head can then become the threat that urges the team away from the ampule chamber. After this scene the team would warn lost Fifield and Milburn to stay away from the ampule room upon learning they are lost from Janek. [u]The Glitched Probe[/u] [center][img]http://www.prometheus2-movie.com/media/prometheus_screencap38.jpg[/img][/center] In the scene where Janek mentions the glitched probe the radio transmission could be interrupted by David, whom then offers to investigate and repair the malfunctioning probe. This scene would allow David time alone to discover the orrery and the last Engineer as per the theatrical cut, while also giving him time to spike a bottle of water with the contents of the vials inside the ampule he stole from the ampule chamber. Milburn and Fifield scared by the probe and the mass pile of Engineers infront of them head off ultimately towards the ampule chamber as in the theatrical cut as Shaw, Holloway and Ford head towards the duo's last known position and investigate the pile of bodies. [center][img]http://www.prometheus2-movie.com/media/prometheus_screencap30.jpg[/img][/center] [u]Davids Return[/u] David returns and regroups with Shaw, Holloway and Ford. With yet another jibe at his synthetic nature, and after viewing a moment of affection between Shaw and Holloway, David pierces Holloway's water bottle. Later when Holloway discovers his bottle leaking or empty David offers hims his bottle, spiked with the Black Goo. Meanwhile, their radios turned off, Fifield and Milburn meet their fate as they did in the theatrical cut. [u]Holloway Infects Shaw[/u] Holloway, having unknowingly consumed the Black Goo kisses shaw passionately, possibly upon receiving the results of the DNA test on the decapitated Engineers head. This would be the only way for Holloway to infect Shaw - which would mean that the nature of the Black Goo would have to differ slightly to allow Shaw to become pregnant. [u]The Rescue[/u] [center][img]http://www.prometheus2-movie.com/media/prometheusV_screencap17.jpg[/img][/center] With the storm having passed Janek and Co. head to the structure to provide transport back to the Prometheus while also looking for Fifield and Milburn. Janek and Co. meet the team outside the ampule chamber, by which point the movies narrative returns to that of the theatrical cut (minus the orrery scene which has already occured), albeit with one exception. Arriving outside the Prometheus, greeted by a flamethrower wielding Vickers Holoway removes his helmet before begging Vickers to kill him, allowing us to see that the way the Black Goo is affecting him is the same as the Sacrificial Engineer at the start of the movie, possibly by showing the same breaks in his flesh from the Black Goo's infestation of his body. [u]Fifields Return[/u] [center][img]http://www.prometheus2-movie.com/media/prometheus_screencap93.jpg[/img][/center] It was hinted in the trailers that Fifields return originally coincided as Weyland was leaving to see the last Engineer. This would have been a better scene as if would have had a greater sense of threat and jeopardy, of course this would require a slight reordering of scenes. But regards Fifield himself, I would have preferred a look different to both that what was in the theatrical cut and the original cut. I would have preferred something hinting towards the Xenomorph or at the least, towards the deacon seen at the end of the movie. Furthermore, I would have also inferred the Xenomorph elements more so with Fifield bleeding acidic blood when shot during the attack. [u]The Last Engineer[/u] [center][img]http://www.prometheus2-movie.com/media/engineer_speaks_1.jpg[/img][/center] In the scene where David awakens the Engineer I would have had it play out more like that seen in the deleted scenes, albeit with the following changes after the point of which Shaw is silenced by Jacksons gun-butt to her stomach: Weyland: David (gesturing David to converse) David: (speaks to the Engineer, but the Engineer just looks at him) Weyland: (weylands god speech from the deleted scene) Engineer: (speaks to David) Weyland: (After a pause) Well David, what did he say? David: He wants to know where we come from? Weyland: Well, tell him then! David: As you wish sir. (turns towards the Engineer before speaking to him) Engineer: (Looks over the humans before asking David a one word question) David: (Replies to the Engineers last question) After which the scene would continue as in the theatrical cut with the Engineer ripping off Davids head and killing the humans as Shaw escaped. Regards the conversation between the Engineer and David the inference would be (possibly shown in home release subtitles) that the conversation went as such: David: As you wish sir. (to the Engineer) they come from the world you intended to deploy the ampules upon before (looks at the other hypersleep pods) this happened. Engineer: They? David: I am an artificial being created by them, much as it was that they were created by you. [u]The Final Fight[/u] [center][img]http://www.prometheus2-movie.com/media/engineer_reads_prometheus.jpg[/img][/center] The last change I would make to Prometheus would be the final confrontation between Shaw and the Engineer inside the life pod. Firstly when Shaw looks into the room from where she removed the fetus I would not infer the creature to be a massive squid (I always found this concept hard to swallow), but instead a creature half similar to that what was born from Shaw and a Facehugger. I would have this creature jumping up at the window of the door as Shaw looks in, probably lashing its embryo implanting probiscus against the glass. In regards to the confrontation itself i would have had more jeapodary and threat as in the original cut, with the Engineer throwing Shaw around and her cutting his leg with the axe, possibly screaming "WHY" as she does so. Then for the reveal of her 'child', I would have had the Engineer thrust her against the door and choking her as she struggles to reach the buttons to open the door (cliche, but better than the theatrical cut). Then as the door opens I would have Shaw cut him with the axe again, bringing him to his knees, glaring at her as she puts on her helmet and escpaes, before looking into the now open room with horror on his face as the half squid/Facehugger leaps onto his face before subduing the Engineer and thrusting its probiscus down his throat. Those are the changes I would have made to make Prometheus a better movie. Do you agree with the changes? What changes would you make?

11 Replies

zzplural

MemberOvomorphJan-06-2013 1:35 PM
Thank goodness you weren't in the editing room, Snorky! The [i]only[/i] thing I would have changed is the Fifield zombie scene. And I thank the Lord that 'Prometheus has landed' was dropped. That was way too Neil Armstrong for my tastes.
The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent

cuponator3000

MemberChestbursterJan-06-2013 3:38 PM
I like what you did with changing the order of a few scenes to make more sense to you, but i dont think a change like this would have really made that , much better. but u took time to do this so rock on my man!

Not a map, an invitation

Ruhaniya

Veteran MemberMemberOvomorphJan-06-2013 9:34 PM
Great idea Snorky!....Snorks Engaged! It is like adding more mystery sauce to your hotdog and Bacon! With that baby there's no returning from the mystery matrix. Ultimately the holographic mapping of the structure indicates that this Giger hole goes way down there. Definitely more to see! We didn't see any Alien technology, Labs, or habitats The prerecorded holographic recording and Davids activation of hieroglyphic symbols on what appears to be stone indicates that the whole structure is a giant computer...ALIVE and Aware. Once the scientists and adventures entered that place their fates should have been sealed and trapped in a labyrinth. With the crew almost completely eviscerated in the structure Janek would have been more compelled to sacrifice himself, the ship, his pilots and the 2 unnamed security guards in the back. As for Vickers she should of survived to the next movie with David and Shaw...to be spliced and dissected in Paradise. If Prometheus was made in 1979 instead of Alien It would still have been still have been chestblowing...but I'm kinda glad Alien was made first. It would be weird to view it like that but still since Alien there has been so much Desensitizing Gore Horror and Sci-fi that we've as a race of Viewers are numb and like Zombie drug addicts...we NEED! perhaps it is all just too much...Torments adorned in our brains

Gavin

MemberTrilobiteJan-07-2013 4:03 AM
@ ZZ - We are all entitled to our opinions! @ Cupantor - On the contrary, these changes weren't suggested for the film to make more sense, the film makes sense enough as it is. But the narrative structure and plausibility of the characters is questionable at best in the film. One of the major points that bothers me, as highlighted [b]Ruhaniya[/b]'s post, and the main driving point behind the changes I suggest, is that the team never spend any decent amount of time in the structure. In fact the story yo-yo's back and forth between the structure and the Prometheus, in such a lame way that scenes on the Prometheus are use to start an act, with scenes in/around the structure used to end and act, as such... Act 1 - Landing to end of first expedition Act 2 - Experiments to Holloways death Act 3 - Shaws birth to meeting the Engineer Act 4 - Shaw vs Engineer to leaving for Paradise. Of all the changes I suggested, while some were for more drama, threat and/or suspense the main change I would have liked to see is the team staying inside the structure when the storm hit. Having traveled 40 light years to meet their maker and uncover the truths of human evolution would they really high-tail it back to the Prometheus at the first opportunity - I don't think they would. It would have made for a better movie as we would have seen more of the mysteries hidden inside. Nevermind the fact that the setting of the structure is much darker and threatening, and thus more suitable for a sci-fi horror movie than a well lit, gleaming spaceship.

Indy John

MemberOvomorphJan-07-2013 6:29 AM
".. they really high-tail it back to the Prometheus at the first opportunity .." Would you still include all of the 'Love The One You're With' scenes? Actually I sort of like how you are thinking not opnly about the storyline but the presentation. At the first viewing it seemed more like a drama but not really knowing all abiout the charactors and the various subplots. The way you have the acts organized and explained would have helped me a bit undarstanding abit more after the initial movie experience. Banging around this site had an even better impact in understanding the storyline but also asking more questions for deeper layer of insight.
Be choicelessly aware as you move through life

DenzelTH

MemberOvomorphJan-07-2013 10:57 AM
I wanted to see more about Weyland and his relationship with David an Vickers,also i wanted to see more of him, i didnt really like that the was hidden on the ship all the time. Id have liked David to decipher all the writings and the mural. HE spent years learning to, you'd think he would want to explain everything. Also why didnt they check the whole pyramid and the other pyramids? And obvs i wanted the connection to Alien fully explained, but lets hope thats for Paradise. If a sequel isnt made, Prometheus will still be a good stand alone film, but i would be vexed without seeing the rest of the journey.
\\\" I Want To Go Where They Come From\\\"

nostromo001

MemberOvomorphJan-07-2013 11:36 AM
snorklebottom, your cut does addresses some major valid points and so I do see where you are coming from in your decision making process. They did not spend enough time in the pyramid to discover more of its secrets. I also would have liked to see Vickers survive to make it to Paradise but perhaps initially injured so she is simply brought along without the option to disagree about the decision to go to Paradise. She is just too interesting to execute so soon. I would have also altered Melburn's disgusting over-maudlin emotional reaction to the hammerpede. I can see him acting a little too mistakenly secure around it, which then turns out to be the fatal mistake as seen in the theatrical release. He just didn't' need to gush so much. I would have also left the deleted scene in with Vickers and Janek when he brings her rum in her compartment. The story of the men in the white coats helps to break up the action which actually provides greater dynamics in the story line. It then goes from a quiet moment to full throttle tension producing action which really rattles the nerves of the viewer. I also like the line in the alternate ending when Shaw asks David what the Engineer said before it ripped his head off and the explains the word as meaning Paradise. That sets up the sequel. These are my thoughts in any changes to the cut that we saw. Oh and by the way I would have liked to see the Engineer look around Vicker's room and pick up books to introduce a mixed state of mind within him regarding the original orders to destroy us 2000 years ago. I like the alternative ending part where David inadvertently gives Shaw away while the Engineer was looking around. The following interaction between Shaw and the Engineer could have played out a any number of different scenarios as long as they result in him getting face hugged, and I agree here with Snorklebottem that the face hugger-squid should have been much smaller and leaped onto the Engineers face wrapping its tale around his neck preventing him from getting it off with, maybe this moment, allowing Shaw to strike him with an ax allowing the proboscis to get shoved down its throat, so that Shaw actually assists in the facehugging by her offspring, due to the Engineer's great strength.
[img]http://0.tqn.com/d/chemistry/1/0/E/1/1/chemistry-glassware.jpg[/img]

Albert West

MemberOvomorphJan-08-2013 7:31 AM
Prometheus has a wonderful storyline to it. Like you said Snorklebottom, everything happens at such a fast pace. If Prometheus was a novel we could iron out the flaws. Unfortunately there is only around two hours to tell this story and no matter how we try and vary the plot there is still only a short time to cram in all the details. Hopefully the next Prometheus movie will not be so chaotic in regards to plot sequences.

Indy John

MemberOvomorphJan-08-2013 7:50 AM
When actually watching the movie for the first time it seemed very slow, sluggish. There seemed to be more questions not answered than a building a story foundation that builds to a conclusiion. After watching a movie called 'What's Love got To Do With It' the theater crowd rose to their feet and applauded quite loudly..in a theater after a movie presentation. At the end of Prometheseus there was a disturbibng silence, a quiet like you might hear in space..if you could hear there.. It was more of what have we seen, what should we say, what does it all mean silence. Everybody walked out almost in silence. At that moment my bet is that nobody liked the movie. I have mentioned this before after the movie my son and I stood in the parking lot for severl minutes asking, talking and discussing the movie. He had more advanced knowledge(like David) than I did. So he saw a few details that i missed. But through our talk we tounched on fundamental questions that are discussed at this site. So when I resd the mention of there is so much going on while this true I would have to say no during the movie. Since that time a greater appreciation of the storyline has emerged. I look forward to the next installment, but please let me have a movie experience in the movie theater!
Be choicelessly aware as you move through life

nostromo001

MemberOvomorphJan-08-2013 7:57 AM
"Since that time a greater appreciation of the storyline has emerged. I look forward to the next installment, but please let me have a movie experience in the movie theater!" Indy, yes but if the writers and director had given you that, you would have long ago dissmissed Prometheus from you mind and this site would have died a quick death for lack of speculation.
[img]http://0.tqn.com/d/chemistry/1/0/E/1/1/chemistry-glassware.jpg[/img]

Indy John

MemberOvomorphJan-08-2013 8:16 AM
If the movie experience was great it would have been easier to tell friends they must see this movie as it was great. Then through this site a deeper meaning would have been discovered by like minded folks, a greater appreciation for the work RS put into the presentation. That would make it more enthusiasistic. Of course i could search out more open minded movie goers in my life. My wife like the movie at home but in her case it didn't generate a continued interest. With use of CC and the Discriptive audio track she followed the storyline better than i did at first. Also I think the Shaw charactor was someone she identified with and was liked that she was a survior. Yea I want it all now! so to speak!
Be choicelessly aware as you move through life
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