Alien is a classic that I'd only recently been able to get around to seeing - directed by Ridley Scott, it follows the crew of a company ship called Nostromo, who, after being awakened to a distress signal on a remote planet, encounter a strange alien lifeform. With no choice but to bring it aboard and resume the journey, the crew soon discover the horror of what they have found, and must fight for survival against a creature unlike anything encountered before.
When the film opened, the set design oddly reminded me of Star Wars - with a grimy, claustrophobic ship interior filled with dulled bright colours - although it is shrouded in much more shadow and mystery. Because of this, I view this film as the night to Star Wars' day - this is a future where space travel is a long, unglamorous process, and alien lifeforms are rare and disturbing rather than whimsical or charming. Rather than a space epic, it is almost blue-collar in its setting and characters, which makes it all the more harrowing when the element of horror is brought into it.
Going back to the genre-defining films of the late twentieth century, it is surprising how a relatively simple premise is woven into a classic. It is a story set almost entirely on one ship, with a tight set of characters and one monster. Nowadays, stories like this are commonplace, but usually feel like there is something missing. I think there are many reasons for this - from studio mandates to an overall lowered writing quality. However, I think the biggest above them all is the need to overcomplicate a story, pulling it in five muddled directions rather than one clear one.
This film has that, with every twist, shock and development complementing the single goal of telling a suspenseful story. Now, it is more complicated than just that - there are a few twists to shake things up as the situation escalates, but they don't try to set up a franchise, sequels or pretend to be bigger and grander than they actually are.
For a film from 1979, its use of practical effects are still stellar today - particularly the earliest scenes of the creature, which play on the audience's fears in all the right ways, being simultaneously disgusting, horrifying and mesmerizing, maintained throughout the film (bar maybe one or two instances toward the end).
The story structure is great as well - from the unsettling atmosphere of the planets surface, to the body horror as the first stage of the creature is revealed, the survival horror as it delves into the Nostromo and racks up its victims, and the desperation of the final act as the crew meets its breaking point. It never becomes predictable, as the plot always changes gear when you think you've got a handle on where it will go. In short, it is very cleverly written, shot, and directed in a way I could barely comprehend, making for a wholly satisfying story in an immersive, claustrophobic setting.
There are a few problems - for one, the 70s atmospheric sci-fi, while perfect for building horror and suspense, can make the characterisation at times feel cold and distant - especially when compared to the sequel, which, as well as changing from surreal sci-fi to good old fashioned 1980s bravado, does a better job in its creation of characters you can sympathise with - but I'll get more into that when I come to review it. It makes for a more oppressive atmosphere, which is what the film was going for, but it is a style that I don't think will be for everyone.
That being said, the film is no doubt a classic - its monster renowned by all, whether they've seen the film or not - and through its tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, unforgettable body horror and unique sets, it's earned is fame. I'll give it a 9.5 out of 10
9.5 OUT OF 10
First off, I have to mention the awesome work done on the "face-hugger". It is horrid, slimy and plays off of arachnophobia - from the way it wraps around its victim, Kane. You don't see it crawl around, but you don't need to. Just it latched onto a human face, violating it to gestate the creature, is horrifying enough. This had become almost as iconic as the xenomorph itself, and I think this is why - horror in its purest sense (something that can't be easily replicated with the abundance of CGI creatures in horror films today).
Ian Holm's character in the film was quite spectacular - not knowing what his motives were and if we could trust him, I immediately thought it was a red herring, but the reveal about three quarters into the film shattered that - he was assigned to the ship by the company with the purpose of retrieving the creature - what's more is he isn't even human, but an android, explaining his strange behaviour and apparent lack of concern or urgency in the situation. The design for the android when it is revealed is fantastic - from the milky white blood to the pipes and liquid replacing blood and organs. I had only known the actor as Bilbo Baggins from Lord of the Rings, so to see him in such a role here is surprising, but very enjoyable.
Now, I knew Ripley would emerge as the central character at about the halfway mark, since she is ultimately the face of the franchise, but for a first viewing, you wouldn't have thought of it early on. The film never really establishes a focal character, so when the xenomorph burst from Kane's chest, you really never know who would live or die. Eventually, through chain of command, Ripley takes command, and then becomes the last one standing, the story moving from sci-fi horror to creature-feature, and finally a desperate battle for survival. Ripley's desperation as she moves to the escape pod under the countdown, the strobe lighting blaring into your face, you know you're watching something good.
The final moments when the alien had been hibernating in the escape pod, while finishing off the creature in spectacular fashion, felt a little contrived to me - like why would this relentless killing machine have a rest for a few hours in the escape pod rather than attacking at any other point? It felt a little too convenient for me, but certainly not enough to spoil the experience. I can tell now why this film is so beloved.
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