A Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (2 June 2018)

'Alien' is a slow-burning and masterful science-fiction horror that well deserves its critical acclaim. Having never been a huge fan of the science-fiction genre, I never felt that compelled to watch it, but given the fact that this is often referred to as "one of the best horror films ever made" I decided to give it a shot - and it absolutely exceeded my expectations and I can confidently say that this is one of the best horrors I have ever seen. Every single aspect of this film is flawless, from its elaborate set design to its captivating cinematography. Scott's direction is polished and skillful, building up great amounts of tension (with the help of a fantastic score by Jerry Goldsmith) and resulting in a fantastic and terrifying climax. But what really shines in this film is the acting, with a profound and real performance from Sigourney Weaver. Weaver brings the character of Ripley to life and makes her feel like a real character. By displaying the right amount of terror and the perfect amount of badass, Weaver's character becomes an instant favorite among any horror movie franchise. The plot of Alien is nice and straightforward, as most horror films should be, leaving the focus to be on the survival of the characters. What makes Alien stand out from the rest, is its underlying metaphors that give the film depth and complexity. Overall, this was a brilliant film that can effortlessly be penned as one of the best horror films made.