A milestone in horror/sci fi

Rating: 8/10 (6 August 1999)

I can't believe anyone can consider Aliens a superior film to this. Aliens is a well made action movie that has a few flaws and doesn't stick to the theme of the original. I suspect that if people hadn't seen Aliens and possibly Alien 3 first they would have a different opinion.
Alien is a masterpiece. It's wonderful attention to detail and the slow build up to the eventual chaos of the final crescendo is marvellous. There is such belief and tension even in the early scene's in the space ship and especially when the crew first encounters the Alien.
The special effects are excellent and even by Todays standard.
I've read other reviews and people have criticised the long periods where nothing happens and that you don't see the creature. This is essence is the point of the film. In 1979 this set a landmark. If you saw the creature constantly it would ruin the fear element. The slow scene's built up vulnerability and tension. You were constantly terrified that the creature was lurking in the dark just around the corner.
The main theme of this film was that this creature, was a monster, but yet was superior to the humans. It could think, and was almost invincible (this idea was destroyed in Aliens).
All the credit goes down to Ripley Scott, the writers and lot to Mr Giger for creating a believable tension filled, scary movie that won't be forgotten.
Definitely a classic.