A brief re-evaluation

Rating: 10/10 (15 December 2003)

Just yesterday, I re-watched Ridley Scott's classic 1979 science-fiction epic "Alien." I haven't watched "Alien" in about two years and in that time, I've felt that the movie now seems dated and has lost its impact. Really, not so as I found out yesterday. I watched the director's cut that was part of the 9-disc quadrilogy set and I have to say that this movie really got to me this time, which has never before happened when I've watched this. I have always liked James Cameron's "Aliens" as my favorite movie in the series (and it still is) but I feel I have to rethink a number of thoughts I have towards the original.
First, Ridley Scott is an amazing filmmaker and his work in this film has only been matched by David Fincher's direction in "Alien 3." What I mean by that comment is that Fincher matched it in atmosphere, not like James Cameron or Jean-Pierre Jeunet (director of "Alien: Resurrection"), both of whose visions were more action-oriented, much rather than suspense. Just three years after making "Alien," Scott would go to direct Harrison Ford in "Blade Runner."
Second, the production design. Everything just looks so dark and eerily beautiful. The space scenes are almost hypnotic; we've gotten so used to seeing space in the movies that it rarely surprises us anymore. With the production here, the space scenes are really stand out and show us that we really aren't alone in the universe. The scenes on the alien planet are truly scary too.
Third, the acting especially by Sigourney Weaver as Ripley. She looks so young in this movie (she was only about 24 when this was made). I liked her character a lot in this movie in that we see shades of her future role in "Aliens." The rest of the cast is pretty sufficient too, especially from Veronica Cartwright as Lambert. We see in later scenes the fear in her character. I somehow got the feeling that she was really on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Fourth, the movie itself. "Alien" is a downright scary and effective science-fiction film. It's a landmark film and has spawned an incredible afterlife in not only comic books and three highly successful sequels, but also a rival series ("Predator").
"Alien" - 10/10