In the genre of Sci-Fi Thrillers this movie is ......Elvis

Rating: 10/10 (30 December 2000)

This is the king of the Sci-fi thrillers. This is one of only 11 movies I have ever given a score of 10. It not only is a 10, but a 10 that burst out of me and screams a 10. I originally saw it on the big screen and several times since have buckled my recliner harness and resnugged it as I share the mission with Ripley on the ole boob tube. The movie lives on as much as a double mouthed, acid spewing melon head alien. It is a classic that will endure through time.
It raised the level of Sci-Fi movies and also raised the bar on special effects for the entire industry. This movie changed how creatures in other movies appear. The creature's skull is even seen in Predator II. Creatures in video games started resembling this bad guy. As I watch this movie my senses are ignited as I am devoured by the 117 minutes. The planet where the alien is first encountered always resurges my curiosity like spinach to Popeye. When I see those relics and those huge bones of some other victim or host I always try to envision what happened on that planet. The alien itself is surrounded by more mystery than a Florida election. The creature is beautiful in a creepy, crawly, biological sort of way. The creator of this beauty is one heck of an artist. The creature has a plan just like salmon swimming up stream. The story line is very clever and is played out on film "awesomely".
The blood and gooo is relative to the action and is not the star of the show by any means. There are a several spots a weak stomached person may feel like tossing their cookies, but its not the highlight of any action. What I am trying to say is the gross stuff adds to the story rather than just trying to get you to go "oooooh thats gross, rewind it, I want to see that again!" It fits in with the flick.
Sigourney Weaver is Ripley, a Warrant officer who becomes cannon fodder for the government. The tale proves that greed can flourish in the dark cold vacuum of outer space and that the long arm of the government is reeeeeeal long. Those pigs! Sigourney plays the role perfectly. She is as tough as a cheap steak. I usually don't find tough women in movies very believabe (sorry, I know thats not politically correct), but Sigourney never leaves me with even a xenomorph of a doubt. She is a survivalist in a pair of bikini panties. The rest of the cast does a decent job but Sig is the one that shines. There will also be a couple of other faces you will recognize.
The lighting, sound effects, props, music, etc is all there like pigment on a canvas. Enjoy the mission and see and feel the masterpiece.

The entire series of movies are great. My least favorite is the second one as I think they transplanted action for a good storyline, but its still worth a look.
Elvis has left the building!