Take your pick

Rating: 8/10 (14 October 2004)

There is something about the Alien series of movies which is very different from nearly every other series. Of the 4 movies made, different like different movies. Yes, most people like Aliens, which set the standard for soldier SF.
For myself, Alien is the better movie. Full of tension and interesting and real characters. The space ship nostramo is directed to investigate a signal from a planet. It turns out to be from an alien space ship. The bring an alien creature which is attached to the face of one the crew back onboard.
The creature is the ultimate biological weapon. It kills the crew one by one (most because the go into the darkest parts of the ship and say "let's split up"...they deserve to die).
This movie brings a strong female lead in the character Ripley, who is as tough as nails (but still finds time to cry a little as well as going back to say the ship's cat).
Yes, in some ways the movie is a little slow. In fact, read the script, the opening is much more exciting on paper than in the way it was filmed (restrictions from 1979 era special effects).
Anyway, if you haven't seen the any of the Alien movies, watch the all. If you don't like one, there many be another you love. I hated Alien cubed (alien 3), but loved Alien, Aliens and found Alien resurrection interesting.