Why did Prometheus make people so angry?

[Be warned: Spoilers lurk here]

'Prometheus' was Sir Ridley Scott's return to science fiction, a prequel to the seminal 'Alien' and a rare example of an intelligent blockbuster. So why did 'Prometheus' anger people so much?

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It was too different from 'Alien'

Firstly there was disappointment in the quality of the finished product and secondly in the perceived tone of the film. It was closer to 'Star Trek' than to 'Alien' and that didn't sit well with some people.

However, complaints that this wasn't just another 'Alien' film are unfounded, and unfair on those involved. They strived for something different, something grander. 'Prometheus' is a slick sci-fi blockbuster with big themes, which tackles big questions and for that it should be congratulated. This was never the low-key haunted house in space movie that 'Alien' was.

Too many questions

The big questions posed were essentially, "Why are we here?", "Where do we come from?" and "Is there a creator?" They are questions the film attempts to answer but never in certain terms, and in the process goes on to ask yet more questions. Then some more. And some more. Then everyone scratches their heads and throws their arms in the air defeated.
There is a video online from Red Letter Media that asks these questions for four solid minutes, covering everything from the questions the film-makers wanted us to ask to those that expose the massive plot-holes in the film.

For example: What is the black goo? Why were the crew of the Prometheus only informed of their mission once they had already arrived? If the Engineers created us and we share their DNA, then what's up with dinosaurs? And why did Peter Weyland pretend to be dead?

It wasn't really that good

Other than trying to fit the pieces of 'Prometheus's puzzle together, the biggest debate surrounding the film has been about whether it's any good in the first place. In our opinion it's a flawed but thoroughly enjoyable film, flitting between daring and cliché on a whim. The characterisation and dialogue are sub-par but the cast do well enough with what is written for them. Which leads us nicely to another key factor.

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Damon Lindelof

Hit TV show 'Lost', which Lindelof helped create and run through to its conclusion, was notorious for asking questions and not answering them for long periods of time, sometimes not at all. 'Prometheus' does Lindelof's reputation no good whatsoever. In fact his re-write of the original 'Prometheus' script by Jon Spaihts (which reportedly had closer ties to 'Alien' and is available on the Blu-ray released this week) manages to raise just as many unanswered questions as 'Lost' but in a far shorter space of time.

There is definitely enjoyment to be found in his writing, but in the case of 'Prometheus' it's unfulfilling and hollow. If as a cinema-goer you see the film, find heavy flaws and receive few answers to the questions raised, then what exactly is the point?

Frustration

The anger people have towards 'Prometheus' is born simply out of frustration. All the ingredients are there to make a truly great film but it's as though some of the basics of filmmaking fell by the wayside in favour of being mysterious for the sake of it.

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There were even instances where it would seem the film was being deliberately obtuse to try and distance itself from 'Alien', for no other reason than franchise potential. For example: The planet 'Prometheus' travels to is not the one discovered by the crew of the Nostromo in 'Alien'. But maybe that's being cynical.

Sir Ridley Scott needed to make a tighter, more sensical movie than he did. If he had, then 'Prometheus' would have served as a solid foundation out of which mystery and discussion was born. As it is however, the questions posed and the discussions inspired are undermined by the film they came from, and it's that which has angered people more than anything.