Realism like you would not believe

Rating: 9/10 (22 March 2003)

This movie is not as good as it's sequel Aliens. It is infinitely better.
Alien has set a new standard for SF horror movies. It works on many levels: atmosphere, photography, acting, sets, scares, plot twists, story, sound and music are all great. What sets it apart is it's realism.
For starters, there is the mixed bunch of characters; nobody is flawless and they all interact in a believable manner. Then there is the way the crew is split up in staff and support, each disliking and distrusting the other species, with engineers playing little power games to boost their self esteem. Another great concept, and quite new in SF at the time, is how new technology is presented as a matter of fact, and often does not work.
This, together with the way the movie is directed, shot and cut, results in a first part which is simply unique in movie history. From the awakening of the spaceship crew right up to the scene where the alien first rears it's ugly head, these images belong to the best ever created for the big screen.
The rest of the movie is not bad, but this is where I usually drift off when the movie is rerun on tv. I try to be back for the final scene on board the escape module, which is also a classic. If the part in between would have been slightly better, this might have been my favorite movie of all time. As it is, it is still in the top 20.