Review of Alien (1979) by Joe C — 04 Jan 2015
**Theatrical cut**.
Who would've thought space could be terrifying? Certainly not a pre-Alien audience in 1979. To an America enthralled by the Space Race and amused by kitschy B-movie sci-fi's, Ridley Scott's Alien stifled their excitement like a blow to the chest. Not only is space unknown, it could contain unknown horrors that join you and your crew of scientist on your space ship while you're innocently investigating a transmission from an unexplored planet. Despite the downtrodden plot, Alien isn't science fiction; It's gothic horror in a spaceship with Ridley Scott's masterful direction and Derek Vanlint's bleak view of outer space. 50ft swamp creatures and soppy dialog is traded in for an unsettling atmosphere and an unbearable sense of claustrophobia. Alien has everything a horror movie should have; buildup, unsettling tonality, subtlety, uncertainty, misdirection, and a scene or two that will flat knock you out.
This review of Alien (1979) was written by Joe C on 04 Jan 2015.
Alien has generally received very positive reviews.
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