ALIEN
dir: Ridley Scott
You still don't know what you're dealing with do you? Perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility. - Ash
Brief Synopsis
In the distant future, a mining ship in space lands on an unexplored planet where they find a colony of strange aliens. One of which makes it's way aboard their ship.
Why It's Here
"Alien" is a classic horror film that stands strong against the difficult test of time. As chilling as it was in it's prime, "Alien" creates an unparalleled atmosphere by following in the footsteps of classics like "Jaws". It keeps it's beast in the shadows, revealing it in glimpses of light and only striking when the scene calls for it. Not knowing where the creature lurks, and what it truly is and is capable of creates an unsettling atmosphere for the crew aboard the ship and the viewers watching. Knowing that the alien could be hidden in any shadow leaves a startling amount of suspense in the minds of the audience for the entire film, with such momentum it seems impossible to ever duplicate again. It represents the high-point of creature features in Hollywood where terrifying, realistic beasts were able to be brought to screen, but technology wasn't yet powerful enough to make them fully believable. Like "Jaws" before it, and "Predator" after, "Alien" keeps it's monster out of sight and when it is in our view, it's brief, dark, and filled with reaction shots and quick editing to keep the suspense amped up, without drawn out shots to reveal the artificiality of the monster and allow us to become familiar with it. This existed in a time when audiences still had imagination, the creature would reveal itself briefly to give us an image for our imaginations to play with while the rest of the characters tried to survive.
"Alien" was made in a very important time in history, the 1970's represented a major part of women's fight for rights in society, on-screen, Sigourney Weaver may not have been the first powerful female character, but her timing in this feature made her one of the most significant. Ripley represented the future, as the movie progresses, Ripley rises to the rank of Captain of the troubled ship. Her character did not embody the typical attributes of a sex symbol, instead replaced by her realistic desperation for survival and escape. Ripley maintains her role as a powerful female model and leader in the sequels, especially "Aliens" where she solidifies herself as an action hero along the likes of The Terminator or Rambo. But, here, she represents a much more realistic, heroic, and intelligent female character who isn't the first victim of a horrific death, but rather the leader who strategizes and saves her own ass.
As a very character driving film, "Alien" is largely about Ripley's character, but there is another who spins the film on it's head, and that character is Ash. For anyone who has seen the film, you know what I mean and how his revelation is both bizarre and riveting all at once. "Alien" sets itself apart from other creature features not only because of it's desolate setting and unique monster, but because it shocks us most with it's climactic twist that no one anticipates, making it twice as effective. "Alien" is full of surprises and does what a horror film does best, keeping you so focused on the main attraction, it's able to slip something right under your nose and still surprise you with it.
"Alien" was made in a very important time in history, the 1970's represented a major part of women's fight for rights in society, on-screen, Sigourney Weaver may not have been the first powerful female character, but her timing in this feature made her one of the most significant. Ripley represented the future, as the movie progresses, Ripley rises to the rank of Captain of the troubled ship. Her character did not embody the typical attributes of a sex symbol, instead replaced by her realistic desperation for survival and escape. Ripley maintains her role as a powerful female model and leader in the sequels, especially "Aliens" where she solidifies herself as an action hero along the likes of The Terminator or Rambo. But, here, she represents a much more realistic, heroic, and intelligent female character who isn't the first victim of a horrific death, but rather the leader who strategizes and saves her own ass.
As a very character driving film, "Alien" is largely about Ripley's character, but there is another who spins the film on it's head, and that character is Ash. For anyone who has seen the film, you know what I mean and how his revelation is both bizarre and riveting all at once. "Alien" sets itself apart from other creature features not only because of it's desolate setting and unique monster, but because it shocks us most with it's climactic twist that no one anticipates, making it twice as effective. "Alien" is full of surprises and does what a horror film does best, keeping you so focused on the main attraction, it's able to slip something right under your nose and still surprise you with it.
Lesson Learned
It's true, in space no one can hear you scream. So better make use of that airlock system to trick that pesky alien.
Memorable Moment
Creeping through the tunnels, but wait, something is showing up on the radar. RIGHT BEHIND YOU!