Ridley Scott’s 2012 blockbuster Prometheus was a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that explored the origins of the xenomorphs from the Alien franchise. Despite its box office success, it received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film’s strong points included its visuals, themes, and cast performances, particularly Michael Fassbender as the android character. However, it was criticized for its pacing, unanswered questions, and deviations from the established Alien canon.
Prometheus would have fared better as a standalone sci-fi franchise rather than a tangential prequel to Alien. By delving into the origin of the xenomorphs, the film removed much of the mystery that made the original Alien movies so terrifying. The story of the Engineers, the highly evolved race responsible for creating new lifeforms and ultimately the xenomorphs as humanity’s enemy, could have stood on its own without the connection to the Alien franchise.
Despite its connections to Alien lore, Prometheus could easily have been rewritten as an original story with minimal changes. This could have allowed for more sequels without being criticized for not answering the franchise’s lingering questions. The film’s ties to the Alien mythology were tangential at best and could have been easily replaced with original concepts.
Prometheus’ potential as a new sci-fi franchise was hindered by its association with the popular Alien series. While the film’s success was partly due to being marketed as an Alien movie from the original director, it may have fared better as a standalone story free from the expectations of the franchise. Hollywood’s preference for existing intellectual property is evident, but Prometheus stands as an example of a film that could have been more successful if it had started its own franchise.
Overall, Prometheus was a visually captivating and thematically intriguing film that suffered from its ties to the Alien franchise. By exploring the origins of the xenomorphs and the Engineers, the film detracted from the mysterious and terrifying elements that made the original Alien movies so iconic. A standalone franchise focusing on the origins of humanity and the enigmas of the universe could have made Prometheus a more successful and enduring sci-fi series.
Source link
