Alien Review

Written by: alex1176   

Ridley Scott's classic sci-fi terror tale ranks up with "The Exorcist" as the scariest major studio movie of the 1970's. Like William Friedkin's Oscar-winning shocker, "Alien" is an effective movie because it slowly establishes an omnious mood with its quiet atmosphere before assualting the audience with heart pouding horror. And just like "The Exorcist", it too contains one of the most horrifying scenes of all time.

Whereas "Exorcist" had a goo-spewing, head-twisting demon that shouted harsh profanity, "Alien" grabs you when poor John Hurt begins to feel a little bit of stomach pain. Initially, the audience had no idea what was coming. But we all know now and that was the birth of the alien. Not only did "Alien" feature the birth of the creature, but it was also the birth of a franchise. And as good as James Cameron's sequel was, it still didn't have the power to shock as much as this one did.

Sigourney Weaver plays Ellen Ripley, the heroine who eventually becomes the lone survivor of the space ship that picks up the alien. She is accompanied by a crew that consists of characters played by Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton and Ian Holm as a not-so-human person. As soon as the alien is unleashed, the movie becomes a cinematic exercise in fear. Not only because a giant human-eating creature is around, but because there is a third-party involved that knows all about it.

"Alien 3" unfortuantely ran the series' momentum right down to the ground and "Alien Resurrection" made me wish the franchise had stayed dead. It was a hollow movie that actually seemed like a spoof. But regardless of what you may think of "Alien Vs. Predator" or its upcoming sequel, there's no denying that "Alien" is one of the best horror movies ever made. It's a great picture.