Alien

"It's got a wonderful defence mechanism - you don't dare kill it"So go the words of a terrified crewmember aboard the commercial towing vehicle 'The Nostromo', the spaceship which provides the platform for this Ridley Scott classic.It's a little difficult to believe that this totally studio-filmed movie is almost a quarter of a century old - the special effects and attention to detail would easily be at home in the 21st Century. The only thing which gives away the film's age is the telex machine-like computers used by the ship's crew which do look rather old fashioned to the modern viewer.Regardless of this one tiny detail, the liberal sprinkling of talented actors makes this film one of the best sci-fi/horror genre movies available; a film which is still emulated, but seldom bettered even to this day.Sigourney Weaver has that 'Hard as Males' demeanour right from the outset and then of course there's the ubiquitous English bad guy which American movie lovers seem so tirelessly fond of.The most alluring part about 'Alien', however, is it's ability to build up the tension, juggle with the watcher's mind and then deliver the goods in some genuinely frightening and gory ways. There are simply so many nooks and crannies onboard The Nostromo that you just don't know where the Alien is going to spring from next.It's almost a sci-fi version of the 'stalk and slash' movies of the past and present but without the dreadful clichés.After watching this movie, Sigourney Weaver, versatile as she is, always seems miscast in any other film.Her character, Ripley was her first starring role and it's the one that so many people associate with her name.Full stars would have been given to 'Alien' had it's sequel, 'Aliens' not been superior to it in the action-packed department. But this is a matter of personal taste and detracts nothing from the first film.This movie has it all:Insane science officer with a twist, hidden agendas, deception, bickering crewmembers fighting each other and 'IT', futile terror-stricken running through steel corridors, and the most memorable dinner scene ever.Guaranteed suspense and surprises right through to the end.Buy it, watch it - then watch it again.

'In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream' With these immortal words, we were introduced to one of modern horror's true masterpieces. Well paced, with a great story, excellent action, some of the best directing ever seen in the genre and bone-chilling terror, Alien has stood the test of time. The most commendable aspect of the film is the direction of Ridley Scott. The spaceship is dark, clunky and perfectly designed. As each moment passes the suspense builds, not through action but anticipation. When the moments of terror arrive, Scott packs several images into a couple of seconds of film. When combined with the suspenseful lighting it means that you see everything, but not clearly and so the scenes stick in the back of your mind. Ripley is one of the greatest heroines of the screen. She is not your conventional heroine (in fact the original script called for a man) but plays the part superbly, as the pawn in Scott's nightmare. We must be thankful that this film was made in the pre-cgi era. The Alien was just a man in a rubber suit, the tracking device was made out of things like an ice-tray and the face-hugger was made using a garden glove. The computer-obsessed directors of today would doubtlessly have shown all the effects and ruined them. In the decades to come, Alien will be remembered as one of horror's greatest films. It is still memorable today and will continue to haunt us in years to come.

In my years I have seen many films, some great, some aweful most boring unfullfilling action romps. This however is a different story. The film is a masterpiece, The set is perfect, dark, dank and very claustrophobic. The performances of the actors (espeicially Yaphet Kotto) are top draw and the story is totally engaging.It has everything, a small irritated crew anxious to get home from a long mining mission are awaken from deep sleep to investigate a transmission from a nearby planetoid. a team of three get to the source of the signal and become far to curious in my opinion. what follows is one of the most memorable and shocking scenes in cinema history, followed by a struggle to track down and dispose of one of the most fascinating and terrifying creatures ever seen.Throw in some crew infighting a fiendish plot twist as to the reasons for the signal investigation, a crew member who is not all he seems and an alien which rather than being a man in a suit is designed so well it becomes a monstrous lifeform with three stages to its life and a very disturbing life cycle. (soon to be revealed in the upcoming directors cut)I am one of those few people who believes this tops the action fest sequel which don't get me wrong is also one of the finest pieces of work around but is always more comfortable to watch due to its up and at you style it leaves nothing to the imagination unlike Ridley Scotts masterpiece. THE BEST FILM EVER MADE Put simply.

A great scary film, the best one, and is best the first time you see it. Its a shame iwasnt around to see it in the cinema, that must have been a great experience. Weaver adn her crew are travelling back to earth when they encounter a crashed space vessel, they go to explore and find something worse than their worst nightmare....Fast, lots of action, and mots importantly lots of blood!!!