One of the best SF movies ever

Rating: 10/10 (27 March 2006)

This is a flawless movie, and plot-wise neat, suspenseful and edge-of-the-seat exciting; Sigourney Weaver's performance (especially in the closing sequences) is simply outstanding. It is one of those rare movies that also has an even better sequel ("Aliens"), but it is still a fantastic stand-alone flick, too. Many of the other actors' characters are terrific, and the first little alien's "entrance" is one of the slickest effects I have ever seen--you could almost feel John Hurt's pain. (It is my understanding that the other actors in that scene weren't aware of exactly what was going to happen, so that their reactions could be filmed just as they occurred, and it was terrific.) Every character in this movie is believable and realistic; "Alien" really succeeds in every aspect. I have a videotape in which I blended the end of this with the beginning of "Aliens" to make a single five-hour adventure and I watch it often--it seems I get more out of it every time. Sheer sci-fi joy!