Today’s quick review: Alien. Answering a distress call on a deserted planet, the crew of the mining ship Nostromo finds an alien vessel that’s carrying unusual cargo: dozens of eggs of an unknown species. Soon enough, one of the eggs hatches and unleashes an alien organism on the Nostromo. Dallas (Tom Skerritt), Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), and the rest of the crew must track down the alien, determine its weakness, and kill it before it can kill them.
Alien is a science fiction horror movie from director Ridley Scott. Alien follows the crew of the Nostromo as they attempt to combat the alien in their midst. The movie earns its status as a classic through its original premise, innovative special effects, and strong sense of atmosphere. Solid direction, iconic scenes, and a highly capable lead in Ripley make Alien well worth a watch for any fan of the science fiction genre.
Alien’s greatest asset is arguably its atmosphere. The setup is minimalistic: a crew of seven on a lonely mission with a bare minimum of context, a couple of gaping mysteries, and no concrete answers. The setting weds the clean, futuristic aesthetic of earlier sci-fi movies with the grittier, more pratical look of movies yet to come. Alien also manages its horror well, with a good balance of grossness, tangible danger, and anticipation.
The cast of the movie contributes just as much. The standout is Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, a resilient and pragmatic officer who steps up to lead the hunt for the alien. Her character is human and heroic in equal measure, with nuances that let the film work as both brooding thriller and action movie. The rest of the cast is similarly reliable: characters with distinct personalities and differing priorities who make the story feel real.
Alien is a well-rounded science fiction movie that occupies an important place in the genre while having the raw quality to stand on its own. There are a few minor places where the film could have gone farther in terms of horror, special effects, or exposition. But the movie has only slight room for improvement, and what it gets right is enough to make it a strong choice for anyone interested in the darker side of the genre.
For a sci-fi horror movie with a similar tone and a greater emphasis on special effects, try The Thing. For the more action-packed sequel, try Aliens. For a prequel that hints at some of the answers, try Prometheus. For a purer science fiction film with an overlapping aesthetic and an even greater focus on cinematography, try 2001: A Space Odyssey.
8.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for iconic scenes, impressive atmosphere, and a memorable lead; your score may be higher if you’re the right kind of sci-fi fan.