"The pit is completely enclosed. And it's full of leathery objects, like eggs or something."

Rating: 8/10 (21 October 2018)

Back in 1979 Ridley Scott brought us his second theatrical film in Alien and he does quite a job in only his second film. It feels weird rating the film lower than the average, but stating that it is highly recommended by me to anyone who loves horror or sci-fi. To me a 8/10 is still a great movie. And groundbreaking as well!
A spaceship Nostromo is on a return flight to Earth. The 7 person crew lead by Tom Skerritt is awakened from their sleep early due to a transmission that they need to investigate. It is within this investigation that crew members come across a not so nice alien.
Really has a terrific cast also including Sigourney Weaver in her powerful role as Ripley, Yaphet Kotto as Parker and John Hurt as Kane to name just a few. Jerry Goldsmith did the score and he really did create a wonderful, yet at times subtle or weird music score. H.R. Giger did spectacular work creating the look of the alien and the alien ship. Carlo Rambaldi was then brought in to create the head of the alien and one of its secret weapons. The film also does a great job with its use of sounds or concentration on a specific sound in its way to bring terror to the screen. A great scene where the use of sound is quite effective is the one where Harry Dean Stanton who plays Brett is looking for the cat Jonesy. Not exactly sure why there is a cat on a spacecraft, but it didn't seem to bother me too much.
Now as well this film along with another Ridley Scott-great BLADE RUNNER has been ripped off so many times, but never equaled. Usually the rip-offs are stinkers. Last night I watched this film with my girlfriend. I have seen the film perhaps 20 times, but she had never seen it. She really enjoyed it, but perhaps through some of the ripoffs she has seen it was predictable for her. I must say though on my initial viewing (think I was 12 at the time) all the surprises were genuine for me. I would also place this film in the list of best Ridley Scott films. I must say though that I see some inspiration within the script written by the late Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett and direction from 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. Which is fine by me, because I believe that is greatest sci-fi film ever made. For example the use of having a computer running the ship and really in control of everything was not original. Here it is known as Mother in 2001 the computer was known as HAL. Even the crew not being aware of the full story or every detail on their assignment was not original either. That same thing happened in 2001. I feel I need to make these points, because I do believe O'Bannon and Shusett did create a great terror in space, but some of the plot points may have been borrowed from a groundbreaking sci-fi epic made 10 years prior. But, other things that happen in the film that are original have to do with the alien itself.
Before ending this review though I must say Veronica Cartwright who plays Lambert in this film did a great job, because she truly looks terrified many times during this film. Also starring Ian Holm as Ash.
So, if you are a horror fan or sci-fi fan I would strongly suggest checking this one out. You might love it more than I do. Then you can start on the countless sequels that follow and continue to be made to this day.