Alien 1979 Film Review

Fig. 1. Alien Movie Poster (1979).

Before you even get to the film, the movie poster on it’s own is a great work of art (see fig. 1.) that reflects the film well making it clear it’s of science fiction genre, it captures the atmosphere - the darkness, the egg that started it all with a sci-fi glow in the cracks and the letters of the film title being spread out in capitals to reflect the infinity of space, "In space no-one can hear you scream.” (Alien 1979). “Even today its poster stands as a model for high-class movie artwork: the black background, the single nobbly egg with a v-shaped crack forming, the spaced-out letters of the title, and a tagline that must have earned the marketing team the rest of the day off:” (Kim Newman 2003).

Fig. 2. Alien - Alien attached to Kane's face (1979)

Ridley Scott’s 1979 horror classic tells the story of a crew on a mission in space who discover Alien life form and it becomes their mission to, "Return alien life form, all other priorities rescinded” (Alien, 1979). The Alien brought onto the space ship via Kane (John Hurt’s) face that leaves him in a coma (see fig. 2.). The alien is finally removed from Kane’s face and later on explodes out of his stomach in a new form, (see fig. 3.) this is where things get especially good and the plot gets going, a new mission arises that disregards the new one - remain alive and no one was more ruthless, strong and determined to do this than Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver). A challenge to the staying alive mission was “throughout the movie: It evolves the nature and appearance of the creature, so we never know quite what it looks like or what it can do” (Roger Ebert, 2003).

Fig. 3. Alien - Stomach Exploding Scene (1979)

Alien deserves praise for many reasons, the first being the acting, an amazing leading role performance by Weaver (see fig. 5.) who captures your attention and keeps you intrigued in her story and has you rooting for her survival in addition to throughout the whole film she has your backing. Accompanied by another praise worthy performance from John Hurt especially in the exploding stomach scene where the alien begins she shifting. “Sigourney Weaver is more than a revelation, John Hurt is a master, and the rest are nothing short of marvellous.” (Patuquitos, 2005). In addition to the acting creating tension and atmosphere you have the camera shots also which make it hard to look away, you always see what you need to see and long enough to be horrified, scared, intrigued etc. Another legendary aspect of this film is “The FX are the best possible for 1979. In the time of the release, some scenes were stomach churning.” (Patuquitos, 2005) and goes down in history as being a horror classic, despite the stomach scene another unforgettable scene (see fig.4.) is where you find out Ash (Ian Holm) is a robot and they speak with only his head after some rewiring.

Fig. 4. Alien - Speaking with Ash's head scene (1979)

Fig. 5. Alien - Ellen Ripley (1979)

Bibliography

Alien. (1979) Directed by Scott, R. [DVD] United Kingdom: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Ebert, R. (2003). At: http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-alien-1979

Newman, K. (2003). At: http://www.empireonline.com/movies/alien/review/

Patuquitos. (2005). At: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078748/reviews

List of Illustrations

Figure 1. Alien "In Space No One Can Hear You Scream" (1979) [Poster] At: http://buyoldmovieposters.com/Store/sci-fi-movie-posters

Figure 2. Alien - Alien attached to Kane's face (1979 [Image] At: https://fogsmoviereviews.com/2012/01/09/movies-that-everyone-should-see-alien/comment-page-1/

Figure 3. Alien - Stomach Exploding Scene (1979) [Image] At: http://www.comingsoon.net/horror/news/748130-10-shocking-scenes-alienprometheus-films

Figure 4. Alien - Speaking with Ash's head (1979) [Image] At: https://fogsmoviereviews.com/2012/01/09/movies-that-everyone-should-see-alien/comment-page-1/

Figure 5. Alien - Ellen Ripley (1979) [Image] At: http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/ellen-ripley/images/28849305/title/alien-screencap