History YMMV / Prometheus

** Vickers decision to leave the moon and return to Earth, despite being told about the [[spoiler: Engineer ship]] can be read in two ways: Vickers is a coward and is willing to put the lives of everyone on Earth at risk to save her own skin OR Vickers is trying to save the lives of the remaining crew and will try and figure out a plan to [[spoiler: stop the ship later]]. The scene happens so quickly that it's impossible to tell what was going through her head.

* MisBlamed: Damon Lindelof used to bear the brunt of the hate for this film by people who didn't like it, as now it's known that he turned the script from what was originally known as ''Aliens: Engineers'' into the first draft of ''Prometheus'', so the blaming does have a basis. However, his treatment didn't end up being the final product either: as it was revealed when the script became available online, Ridley Scott actually cut '''tons''' of scenes that were instrumental to understand the film, therefore opening plot holes and ambiguities left and right (and causing the IdiotPlot mentioned above), all while Lindelof futilely tried to caution him ''against'' leaving so much unexplained precisely because of the bad reaction to the finale of ''Series/{{Lost}}''. With Scott's decision to turn the sequel into ''Film/AlienCovenant'', the weight of the duology's impopularity has switchd mostly from Lindelof to Scott.

* IdiotPlot:
** While the movie is a visually and aesthetically amazing piece, the plot and behavior of the crew is a ''mess.'' Just look at the IdiotBall section to get an idea. ''WebVideo/HonestTrailers'' described the crew like this:
--->"A lazy captain, who leaves his crew to die. A stoner geologist, with state of the art computer maps, radio communication, mapping balls, and GPS, who still gets lost. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBaKqOMGPWc An inconsistent biologist, who is afraid of a 2000 year old dead body, but falls in love with a clearly dangerous alien snake. And an idiot woman who can only run in straight lines."]]
** Surprisingly, Creator/RogerEbert, who popularized the term "idiot plot", gave this movie four stars. He did, however, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x1YuvUQFJ0 later link to this]].

* MemeticMutation:
** "[[WebVideo/RedLetterMedia What was that black goo]]?"
** A lot of images have been made comparing the Engineer to [[WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants Handsome Squidward]].
** [[spoiler:Vickers']] death became popularized by WebVideo/CinemaSins, who claimed Vickers graduated from [[OneDimensionalThinking "The Prometheus School of Running Away From Things"]]. What makes it egregious is that [[spoiler: Shaw]] rolls sideway and survive, and there's no reason [[spoiler: Vickers]] couldn't do the same.

* SpiritualAdaptation:
** This film can be viewed as modernized adaptation of Creator/HPLovecraft's ''Literature/AtTheMountainsOfMadness''. This is due to the fact that much of its first-act material was taken directly from Dan O'Bannon's original ''Alien'' script, which was essentially a rework of that story (the version we're familiar with was a root-and-branch rewrite by David Giler and Creator/WalterHill). O'Bannon (like his friend and onetime collaborator, Creator/JohnCarpenter) was a major Lovecraft nut and would eventually direct ''The Resurrected'', an adaptation of Lovecraft's ''Literature/TheCaseOfCharlesDexterWard''.
** WebVideo/DiamandaHagan [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hvlb36nWjY saw]] it as ''Series/{{Bonekickers}}: The Motion Picture''.

* MisBlamed:Creator/DamonLindelof used to bear the brunt of the hate for this film by people who didn't like it, as now it's known that he turned the script from what was originally known as ''Aliens: Engineers'' into the first draft of ''Prometheus'', so the blaming does have a basis. However, his treatment didn't end up being the final product either: as it was revealed when the script became available online, Ridley Scott actually cut '''tons''' of scenes that were instrumental to understand the film, therefore opening plot holes and ambiguities left and right (and causing the IdiotPlot mentioned above), all while Lindelof futilely tried to caution him ''against'' leaving so much unexplained precisely because of the bad reaction to the finale of ''Series/{{Lost}}''. With Scott's decision to turn the sequel into ''Film/AlienCovenant'', the weight of the duology's impopularity has switchd mostly from Lindelof to Scott.

* SignatureScene: Shaw's infamous [[spoiler:improvised c-section to remove the monstrosity she's pregnant with]].

* FanDiscontinuity: A very considerable portion of the fanbase has come to see both ''Prometheus'' and ''Film/AlienCovenant'' as just below ''Film/Alien3'' as films they do not want to acknowledge as part of the ''Alien'' franchise, in large part due to the fact that the Xenomorphs origin as a bioweapon is recent, or that it ignores the fan favorite acceptance that at least some Xenomorphs are natural species living on different worlds.

* FanDislikedExplanation: Many fans did not like this answer to the question raised by the Space Jockey. One of the main points was the reveal that they look like humans and not the elephantine alien beasts thought until then, despite the fact Ridley Scott had stated endlessly (back since TheNineties, actually) it was their suit which gave them that shape. Even fans familiar with that bit of WordOfGod were still rather miffed at the HumanAliens reveal, since they had preferred the appearance to stay a mystery.

* DesignatedVillain: Downplayed. Meredith Vickers is presented as an antagonist and technically is related to the villain's scheme. But she really has nothing to do with anything bad that happens throughout the film, tries to talk [[spoiler:Weyland]] out of his plan and is one of the only people making rational calls throughout.

*** Did he [[spoiler:infect Holloway]] because [[spoiler:Holloway]] was the most convenient target, or because he was the human who had been the biggest [[JerkAss jerk]] to David? Also, since WordOfGod confirmed David [[spoiler:had something of a crush on Elizabeth]], there is a [[MurderTheHypotenuse third potential motivation]].

* {{Fanon}}: People tend to believe Fifield is supposed to be Irish, as his actor is English and he generally looks an awful lot like Wrestling/{{Sheamus}}. However, nothing about his background has been officially released.

* MisBlamed: Subverted. Creator/DamonLindelof used to bear the brunt of the hate for this film by people who didn't like it, as now it's known that he turned the script from what was originally known as ''Aliens: Engineers'' into the first draft of ''Prometheus'', so the blaming does have a basis. However, his treatment didn't end up being the final product either: as it was revealed when the script became available online, Ridley Scott actually cut '''tons''' of scenes that were instrumental to understand the film, therefore opening plot holes and ambiguities left and right (and causing the IdiotPlot mentioned above), all while Lindelof futilely tried to caution him ''against'' leaving so much unexplained precisely because of the bad reaction to the finale of ''Series/{{Lost}}''. With Scott's decision to turn the sequel into ''Film/AlienCovenant'', the weight of the duology's impopularity has switchd mostly from Lindelof to Scott.

* SpecialEffectsFailure: In a film that is by and large ''astonishing'' to look at, Creator/GuyPearce's terrible aged make-up really stands out, the result of prepping a design on the fly during a then-tighter schedule. One could explain it in-universe as side-effects of Weyland trying to extend his age, but it can still be jarring or even creepy.

** [[spoiler:Vickers']] death became popularized by WebVideo/CinemaSins, who claimed Vickers graduated from "The Prometheus School of Running Away From Things". Though, this creates a case of CriticalResearchFailure, as in that scene, you can clearly see that [[spoiler: there is falling rubble blocking her way, therefore she can only in a straight line.]]

* FanDiscontinuity: A very considerable portion of the fanbase has come to see both ''Prometheus'' and ''Covenant'' as just below ''Alien 3'' as films they do not want to acknowledge as part of the ''Alien'' franchise, in large part due to the fact that the Xenomorphs origin as a bioweapon is recent, or that it ignores the fan favorite acceptance that at least some Xenomorphs are natural species living on different worlds.

** [[spoiler:Vickers']] death became popularized by WebVideo/CinemaSins, who claimed Vickers graduated from "The Prometheus School of Running Away From Things". Though, this creates a case of Main/CriticalResearchFailure, as in that scene, you can clearly see that [[spoiler: there is falling rubble blocking her way, therefore she can only in a straight line.]]
* {{Misblamed}}: Subverted. Damon Lindelof used to bear the brunt of the hate for this film by people who didn't like it, as now it's known that he turned the script from what was originally known as ''Aliens: Engineers'' into the first draft of ''Prometheus'', so the blaming does have a basis. However, his treatment didn't end up being the final product either: as it was revealed when the script became available online, Ridley Scott actually cut '''tons''' of scenes that were instrumental to understand the film, therefore opening plot holes and ambiguities left and right (and causing the IdiotPlot mentioned above), all while Lindelof futilely tried to caution him ''against'' leaving so much unexplained precisely because of the bad reaction to the finale of ''Series/{{Lost}}''. With Scott's decision to turn the sequel into ''Film/AlienCovenant'', the weight of the duology's impopularity has switchd mostly from Lindelof to Scott.

* SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome: Save for Guy Pearce's faulty makeup (which, as mentioned, can be explained in-universe), even those with a negative opinion on the film can agree that it looks incredible, ''especially'' in 3D. Some examples include but not limited to would be the opening shots of the waterfall and the world, The Engineer's sacrifice, and the Starmap.

* FanDislikedExplanation: Many fans did not like this answer to the question raised by the Space Jockey. One of the main points was the reveal that they look like humans and not the elephantine alien beasts thought until then, despite the fact Ridley Scott had stated endlessly (back since TheNineties, actually) it was their suit which gave them that shape.

* DesignatedVillain: Downplayed. Meredith Vickers is presented as an antagonist and technically is related to the villain's scheme. But she really has nothing to do with anything bad that happens throughout the film, in fact she's one of the only people making rational calls throughout.

** Did he [[spoiler:infect Holloway]] because [[spoiler:Holloway]] was the most convenient target, or because he was the human who had been the biggest [[JerkAss jerk]] to David? Also, since WordOfGod confirmed David [[spoiler:had something of a crush on Elizabeth]], there is a [[MurderTheHypotenuse third potential motivation]].

* JerkassWoobie: Vickers is kind of icy and a bit self-motivated, but doesn't seem to be bad person beneath it all, and was dragged onto the crazy mission to find immortality, is traumatized after being forced to kill [[spoiler: Holloway]]., and by the time things are over wants badly to go home, but can't due to the threat the Engineer ship poses, but is forced to abandon ship, then run for her life to keep from being crushed to death [[spoiler: but doesn't move fast enough]].

* EnsembleDarkhorse:
** [[Creator/MichaelFassbender David]] pretty much steals the show, so much that he is the only well-received aspect of the rewrite and revealed to be [[spoiler:the only crew member to return for the sequel]].
** [[Creator/CharlizeTheron Vickers]] tends to be quite popular as well, [[OnlySaneMan mainly because she's the most intelligent character in the film]].
** [[BunnyEarsLawyer Captain Janek]] also has his fans, mainly because of his quirks, care for his crew and [[spoiler: [[HeroicSacrifice giving his life to make sure the Engineer's bioweapon doesn't reach Earth]].]]
** [[spoiler: The Deacon, a proto-xenomorph that only shows up in the last scene.]]

** [[spoiler: Vickers']] death became popularized by WebVideo/CinemaSins, who claimed Vickers graduated from "The Prometheus School of Running Away From Things". Though, this creates a case of Main/CriticalResearchFailure, as in that scene, you can clearly see that [[spoiler: there is falling rubble blocking her way, therefore she can only in a straight line.]]

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Fifield's ScrewThisImOuttaHere being undermined by his getting lost, when the plot wouldn't have been suffered if he had made it back, and Milburn had just lingered behind on his own to inspect the body or something.
** Whether she ultimately lived or died it would have been interesting to see [[spoiler: Vickers]]. manage to fight the Neomorph and/or the engineer in the aftermath of the HeroicSacrifice instead of just being crushed by a wheel.

%%* BrokenBase

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Fifield's GenreSavvy ScrewThisImOuttaHere being undermined by his getting lost, when the plot wouldn't have been suffered if he had made it back, and Milburn had just lingered behind on his own to inspect the body or something.

* FanDislikedExplanation: Many fans did not like this answer to the question raised by the Space Jockey. One of the main points was the reveal that they look like humans and not the elephantine alien beasts thought until then, despite the fact Ridley Scott had stated endlessly since that it was their suit which gave them that shape.

* {{Misblamed}}: Zig-Zagged. Damon Lindelof bears the brunt of the hate for this film by people who didn't like it, as now it's known that he turned the script from what was originally known as ''Aliens: Engineers'' into the first draft of ''Prometheus'', so the blaming does have a basis. However, his treatment didn't end up being the final product either: he cautioned Ridley Scott ''against'' leaving so many mysteries unexplained, precisely because of the bad reaction to the finale of ''{{Series/Lost}}'', but Scott promptly overruled him and worked on Lindelof's ideas in his own way. There is ample evidence major parts of the film were rewritten, reedited, or reshot by Scott well into production; the much derided decision by the science team to remove their helmets, for instance, was not in Lindelof's original script.

** Even the complete script of ''Prometheus'' was better received than the film's cut when it became available on the Internet, as it contains many explanations and clarifications (among them, the intentions, history and works of the Engineers) which would have helped things make sense in the film. Those scenes and lines were either cut from the movie itself or never filmed.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: When the original script for the film, ''Alien: Engineers'', became available online and was confirmed as authentic, series fans were outraged over how superior it was to the rewrite, which removed all of the overt connections to the original film and introduced a lot of plot holes in the progress. Also counted towards as TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot.

** [[Creator/CharlizeTheron Vickers]] tends to be quite popular as well, [[OnlySaneMan mainly because she's the only remotely intelligent character in the film]], even if that's still not saying much.

* HesJustHiding: with all the {{Narm}} about how [[spoiler: Vickers]]. could have gotten out of the way it’s not completely out of the question that she actually did, off-screen.

* {{Misblamed}}: Zig-Zagged. Damon Lindelof bears the brunt of the hate for this film by people who didn't like it, as now it's known that he turned the script from what was originally known as ''Aliens: Engineers'' into the first draft of ''Prometheus'', so the blaming does have a basis. However, his treatment didn't end up being the final product either: he cautioned Ridley Scott ''against'' leaving so many mysteries unexplained, precisely because of the bad reaction to the finale of ''{{Series/Lost}}'', but Scott promptly overruled him and worked on Lindelof's ideas on his own way. There is ample evidence major parts of the film were rewritten, reedited, or reshot by Scott well into production; the much derided decision by the science team to remove their helmets, for instance, was not in Lindelof's original script.

* HesJustHiding: with all the {{Narm}} about how [spoiler: Vickers]]. could have gotten out of the way it’s not completely out of the question that she actually did, off-screen.

* CriticalResearchFailure: One of the scientists on the bridge of the ship claims that 3% atmospheric carbon dioxide will kill you. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide#mediaviewer/File:Main_symptoms_of_carbon_dioxide_toxicity.svg It won't.]]

* ContestedSequel: If you believe the internet, this movie is either a misunderstood masterpiece or a total disaster.

* {{Misblamed}}: Zig-Zagged. Damon Lindelof bears the brunt of the hate for this film by people who didn't like it, as now it's known that he turned the script from what was originally known as ''Aliens: Engineers'' into the first draft of ''Prometheus'', so the blaming does have a basis. However, his treatment didn't end up being the final product either: he cautioned Ridley Scott ''against'' leaving so many mysteries unexplained, precisely because of the bad reaction to the finale of ''{{Series/Lost}}'', but Scott promptly overruled him and worked on Lindelof's ideas on his own way. There is ample evidence major parts of the film were rewritten, reedited, or reshot by Scott well into productio; the much derided decision by the science team to remove their helmets, for instance, was not in Lindelof's original script.

** Did he [[spoiler:infect Holloway]] because [[spoiler:Holloway]] was the most convenient target, or because he was the human who had been the biggest [[JerkAss jerk]] to David? Also, since WordOfGod confirmed David [[spoiler:had something of a crush on Elizabeth]], [[MurderTheHypotenuse there is a third potential motivation to infecting Holloway]].]]

** Did he [[spoiler:infect Holloway]] because [[spoiler:Holloway]] was the most convenient target, or because he was the human who had been the biggest [[JerkAss jerk]] to David?
** Since WordOfGod confirmed David had something of a crush on [[spoiler:Elizabeth, [[MurderTheHypotenuse this adds a third potential motivation to infecting Holloway]].]]

** [[Creator/MichaelFassbender David]] pretty much steals the show. So much that he is the only well-received aspect of the rewrite and revealed to be [[spoiler:the only crew members to return for the sequel]].
** [[Creator/CharlizeTheron Vickers]] tends to be quite popular as well, [[OnlySaneMan mainly because she's the only remotely intelligent character in the film]].

* FanDiscontinuity: A very considerable portion of the fanbase has come to see both Prometheus and Covenant as just below ''Alien 3'' as films they do not want to acknowledge as part of the Alien franchise, in large part due to the fact that the Xenomorphs origin as a bioweapon is recent, or that it ignores the fan favorite acceptance that some Xenomorphs are natural species living on different worlds.

* {{Fanon}}: People tend to believe Sean Fifield is supposed to be Irish, as his first name is of Irish origin and he generally looks an awful lot like Wrestling/{{Sheamus}}. However, nothing about his background has been officially released.

* {{Misblamed}}: Zig-Zagged. Damon Lindelof bears the brunt of the hate for this film by people who didn't like it, as now it's known that he turned the script from what was originally known as ''Aliens: Engineers'' into the first draft of ''Prometheus''. However, his treatment didn't end up being the final product either: he cautioned Ridley Scott ''against'' leaving so many mysteries unexplained, precisely because of the bad reaction to the finale of ''{{Series/Lost}}'', but Scott promptly overruled him and worked on Lindelof's ideas on his own way. There is ample evidence major parts of the film were rewritten, reedited, or reshot by Scott well into production. The much derided decision by the science team to remove their helmets, for instance, was not in Lindelof's original script.

** The Engineers, first seen in the movie's intro. They look almost human, but are over ten feet tall, and seem to have about as much in common with us as we have with David.