A classic Gothic horror tale

Rating: Null/10 (10 November 2004)

I couldn't not comment on this film in response to MovieCritic2003, who seems to dislike "Alien" because it is not "Aliens". Different director, different plot, different tone, different characters, different scenario. Even at the tender age of 17, when I first saw "Alien" (btw the scariest film I had ever seen up to that point), I recognized it as a classic horror/suspense/Gothic story, albeit in a sci-fi setting. Ridley Scott is a genius for creating atmosphere, and "Alien" succeeds at many levels. These are "regular folks" dealing with something completely beyond their experience. They are "merchant mariners" and miners, and they respond accordingly. It's silly to compare them to the hardened Colonial Marines from the sequel.