[pruh-mee-thee-uhs]

Prometheus in greek mythology was a Titan who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to the mortals. For this outrage, Zeus had him tied to a rock while an eagle ate his liver for the rest of eternity...

If this wasn't enough of an epic prologue to the name Prometheus, than the trailer for Ridley Scott's possibly-is-possibly-isn't-precursor-to-Alien should be the tipping point. This film is going to be great.



Now Empire magazine has already dissected this trailer and a number of youtube vids have followed suit so I'm not going to repeat what is already offered. Instead my take on this is from the angle that I originally intended this blog to be about; design.

So let's get straight into it:
STYLE:
It's debatable whether you would design a films aesthetic looks to be an obvious reference to a previous film in a series because it has to actually fit this existing world or whether you are taking the nostalgic route for a specific fanbase. Needless to say the entire trailer has the same feel and look to it as the Alien trailer and feature did back in 1979. It's more than likely that the designers Giger, Ron Cobb, Moebius and Chris Foss to name a fiew have not worked on this film but the many artists from David Vyle Levy to Ben Procter can be trusted to bring this familiar world back in a great way. Besides, with Ridleys background being in design, it would be fair to say if he had all the time in the world he could take on all design roles himself if he wanted to. Looks great so far Ridley...

SPACE:
We see space and if it makes sence to readers this looks like 1970s space. This is a quiet place. It's not hightened by fast paced Star Wars prequel action scenes or mad cap explosions. This looks like it resembles the sci-fi we loved from the late 70s when 12 foot miniatures would silently loom past the camera into an endless star covered canvas.

VEHICLES:
Again a feeling we have come straight off the Nostromo and found some similar craft. These ships including the trucks have the bulky quality as previously seen. In particular, the trucks and machinery is more likely to remind people of the military feeling James Cameron went for with his sequel. Looks cool all the same in particular the use of the Weyland logo (the evil corporation with sinister plans in all the Alien films)...

LANDSCAPE:
The terrain and atmosphere has been compared to LV-426 the original Alien planet. Certain shots do bare resemblances to this but Im not sure about one of the more sandy backdrops where a vehicle heads back to a landing ship. All the same these environments look like great locations for some great action pieces as we see later in the trailer.


As my next post will mention I loved Super8 this year and that was suited to my nostalgic sensibilities as does this trailer. Plus it's Ridley Scott back where he first broke out.
Can't wait...

Movie news to end the year

So as I previously commented, my blogs have become rather lack-luster.

But I have decided, after quite an exciting evening of web viewing, to write about my viewings of today.

There is nothing better than the excitement and anticipation for future releases and events and while this year has certainly given us some promising titles to remember 2011 by (I opened my blog with a lengthy appreciation for Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive), I can't help look toward to 2012 and two genuine epics. Firstly;


THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

Anyone excited about this release and is following even basic reports of the films production will be aware of the prologue that is at the beginning of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. A 6 minute segment that introduces Bane to Christopher Nolan's Gotham City world featuring an elaborate plane sequence which is pretty cool to put it bluntly. Then later tonight this comes across the youtube channels; Trailer number 1!

To say it looks good would be an understatement and while it may not have the supreme hype that The Dark Knight did (I just rewatched this myself and remembered just how exciting it was. I watched this like 30 or 40 times), it still packs an exciting punch. Shame it lacks that punchy soundtrack and sinister voiceover but Bane still has what seems the best line at the end of the trailer.

Finally just as I was looking to bring my evening to a close, I fell upon an acquaitance's post that had me REALLY excited...

PROMETHEUS

This film is easily my favourite hyped movie for next year! For now I can't elaborate on a lot of the film as we need a trailer. Alas that will arrive thursday all thanks to this video. WOWZERS!!! Ridley Scott back in his old sandbox and it looks like he knows what he's doing. I love nostalgia, I really like the first two Alien films and I really like the look of this film! Thursday I'd like to post an indepth piece on what I truely hope will be the most exciting 3 minute advert this year!

Speak soon friends