Review of Alien (1979) by Gerard B — 23 Feb 2018
Wonderfully atmospheric, a timeless classic. Yes the plot is simple but the execution is masterly. No dazzling special effects here as they're not needed. The film captures the silence, emptiness, and loneliness of space memorably and at the same time fills it with the inescapable horror and fear of being trapped in this emptiness with a deeply malevolent, unknown entity.
It's not so much a monster but a force of terrifying evil made all the more frightening by the fact that you mostly only get brief glimpses of it and that it does not speak or give any clues as to its origins, feelings, or purpose.
It is the most alien of all alien screen creations. Only (quite big) disappointment for me occurs at the very end when the full form of the creature is momentarily revealed - clearly a man in a monster suit, not dissimilar to the one in the Creature from Black Lagoon.
Shame they did that - it wasn't necessary.
This review of Alien (1979) was written by Gerard B on 23 Feb 2018.
Alien has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
