Review of Alien (1979) by Earl W — 07 Jul 2018

Apparently it's 'Alien' day today, so...

It's honestly amazing how well 'Alien' holds up. There's nothing really that screams 'dated', which is quite the achievement when you're looking back at a science fiction film made almost 40 years ago. 40 years! Everything, from a filmmaking standpoint, the performances, the score - it's all spot on. What really makes this movie so special though, and what has ensured that it lives on to the point where sequels are STILL being made, is the fantastic concept. It's genius - with the design and, erm, 'purpose' of the Facehuggers in particular being so disturbing and sick that you begin to question the mindset of those who created it. Ridley Scott, a director who is very hit and miss for me, delivers what is probably the best movie I've seen from him. He takes a leaf out of 'Jaws'' book, concealing the alien in the shadows, but then amps it up to 11. The final 20 minutes of the film are pure gold in this respect, with the whole self-destruct sequence probably being one of the tensest scenes...ever, really. Brilliant concept, brilliant craftsmanship - brilliant movie.