Brilliant

Rating: 9/10 (22 March 2000)

One can not approach this film looking for mindless entertainment. I'm not claiming that it is thought-provoking or of great worth as profound social commentary, but what "Alien" *is* is a science-fiction thriller that demands your full attention and involvement.
There is almost nothing to criticise about this film. The actors are excellent, especially Sigourney Weaver (Ellen Ripley), Ian Holm (Ash), and Yaphet Kotto (Parker). The plot is tightly-written and extremely suspenseful, with more than enough surprises to pick things up when the pace slackens.
Speaking of pace, this *is* a slow film, but this is not to its detriment. It actually serves to heighten the tension - a particular highlight would be the final scene inside the shuttle.
See this film. Now. I'm not kidding.