Alien (1979) Review:

If there was a setting science fiction films used abundantly, it was outer space. Or, the final frontier as Star Trek would often call it. The reason for this perhaps is because aside from humanity not knowing much about what lies in the Earth’s oceans, we know probably even less what’s out in the vast miles of space. It was popular in the 1960s and got a big enthusiastic injection with George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). One thing that hadn’t been popularized yet during the 1970s was science fiction horror, until this movie. Now regarded as one of the best science fiction horror films out there, Alien (1979) is a must see for fans of the genre. Keep in mind though, if one is already desensitized to the genre, it’s better to appreciate the craft more than the feeling.

The script, written by Dan O'Bannon having only written once before this in John Carpenter’s Dark Star (1974) is impressive. A crew of workers are headed home from a long time doing their jobs and resting. On their journey, they receive a distress signal from a nearby planet and investigate. When they return, they realize something else has returned with them. The crew consists of Tom Skerritt as Dallas, Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, Veronica Cartwright as Lambert, Harry Dean Stanton as Brett, John Hurt as Kane, Ian Holm as Ash and Yaphet Kotto as Parker. This is also only the second credit to director Ridley Scott having no experience in the horror genre before this. Of course, the actor coming out with the most notoriety was Sigourney Weaver as the lead.

The character of Ripley defined what it meant to be a horror girl but with the biggest package rivaling almost all the male characters in the movie. Dallas as the most senior of the group shows how much he’s invested in his job. Brett is one of the nonchalant engineers on board and Parker is the other who does his best to follow orders. Ash is the science officer who plays things very straight and blank faced, about as objective as his profession. The only two characters who don’t add a whole lot are Kane and Lambert. They just don’t do a whole lot that stands out. However, the actors who play them are credible. John Hurt and Veronica Cartwright had been in horror films before this. Hurt was in The Ghoul (1975) and The Shout (1978), while Cartwright was in The Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978).

Then there’s also Bolaji Badejo, the actor who plays the alien itself. Documented in being almost seven feet tall, this was the guy who gave the alien its towering height and look. The way Badejo moves in the costume gives it a very animalistic personality. Part of the credit should go to effects artists as well. The set designs are miraculous for the time this movie was made and the detail that went into them. The one everyone remembers the most is the space jockey monument. Honestly, the set surrounding it is even more mind blowing. Plus, with the help from miniatures and matte paintings the scope to this film feels massive despite it having a very short cast of actors. The only thing that doesn’t work in this film’s favor is the horror gore aspect. For beginners this film may scare, but for avid viewers, one might be enjoying more of the visuals than actually experiencing thrills.

Derek Vanlint was the director of cinematography for this picture. Surprisingly Vanlint would only go to shoot for two other movies. That being Dragonslayer (1981) and The Spreading Ground (2000). For what’s put on screen, Vanlint’s work looks good. The way the angles are shot really help give the viewer a sense of isolation. Lastly the film score composed by Jerry Goldsmith had an interesting approach. To the behest of Ridley Scott, Goldsmith had to make his score much more subdued and atmospheric. That’s different for Goldsmith as he was used to producing more developed music, even for horror films like The Omen (1976), The Swarm (1978) and Magic (1978). Despite him doing this though, the music is adequate and has a few themes that will remind the viewer of the bleakness in the situation.

For newcomers and people who don’t watch horror often, this should be scary. Those who aren’t phased may just enjoy it for its technical prowess and performances. That’s its only flaw, but it depends on the viewer. Ultimately all aspects work to its benefit, from the acting, to the visuals and the music.

Points Earned --> 8:10