The absolute benchmark in Sci-fi horror!

Rating: 10/10 (26 October 2012)

Fourteen viewings over thirty three years, and still my favourite film. Such is the power of this intense, foreboding masterpiece - perhaps a clichéd word, but in this instance, entirely apt.
Did Ridley Scott realise what effect this film would have on audiences for years to come? I doubt it. Did creature designer HR Giger know to what extent his 'alien' would horrify the world and be copied far into the future? Perhaps.
From the moment John Hurt's character 'Kane' re-boards the ship, insect-like alien attached to his face, unrelenting dread and imminent danger pervade this film until virtually the last frame.
Acting is masterful, especially from newcomer at the time Sigourney Weaver. All take their roles seriously in this very atmospheric film. No foolish character sidekicks here, no silly jokes.
Jerry Goldsmith's score is incredibly well-suited to every scene, perfectly building tension to excruciating levels, and maintaining it.
Audiences were not only stunned at the film's original artwork and design, but by the continuous and mounting terror as the barely-glimpsed alien picks off crew members one by one.
There have been countless spin-offs, rip-offs and copies of 'Alien', but they all amount to no more than cheap B-grade, schlock-horror imitations.
Unlike that prevalent in many of the above-mentioned films, in 'Alien', gore and profanity is kept to a minimum. These factors lend the film a higher degree of credibility, making it more believable and even more chilling. As we all know, it is what we do NOT know and see (including the alien's killing modus operandi) that is truly frightening.
When Weaver's character 'Ripley' is racing against time, your heart will be racing, when she is glancing fearfully into the ship's claustrophobic dark corners, your eyes will be searching the corridors too - unless they are squinting from behind barely spread fingers! Ripley enjoys no such luxury.
A third of a century after release, this film has lost none of its awesome ability to frighten the living daylights out of the viewer. See it!!