Rating: 
Summary: LOVING THE 'ALIEN'!!!!!
Review: 'Alien' is the movie that got me into movies - it's that simple. 20 years on, I can still put this in the mahine and see something new. It's NOT style over substance. Scott was at the Royal Academy for 7 years, studying film making for 3. Although most people think of him as that commercials director who got ideas above himself, he's actually one of the most qualified directors around. One person below (June 23) says that because the effects are not as good as they are now, it's "junk". WRONG! Firstly, there are good films with bad effects, and bad films with good effects. Secondly, with the exception of a couple of model shots, the effects here are not bad. Most people who slag this film off wouldn't get what it's saying. The opening image says it all. Immediately after the credits (accompanied by Jerry Goldsmith's brilliant, desolate score), we see a spaceship - the ultimate image of the future. Over this are written the words: Commercial towing vehicle: 'The Nostromo'. 'Nostromo' is the title of Joseph Conrad's allegory of capitalist colonialism from 1904 about a man who works for a mining company, and discovers that in the face of profits he's "expendable" (the town in the book is called Sulaco - the name of the spaceship in 'Aliens'). As in the beginning of 'Blade Runner' (where the words 'Los Angeles 2019' give way to a city looking like a Medieval vision of Hell), Scott's saying that the future will be dominated by the sins of the past. The next two hours are equally full of meaning if you want to see it (if you thought Ripley saving the cat is just bad writing - think again...). If you want to know more about what's going on in this film, read a BOOK - not some dumb web site. All this may be on the DVD commentary by Scott, I don't know. 'Alien' is already looking better 20 years on, and in 2019 it'll still be the most imaginative horror/SF crossover out there - which is why EVERYONE should have a copy.
Rating:
Summary: A classic.
Review: I'm a BIG fan of the ALIEN films and always will be. I remember the first time I saw this I taped it off the T.V. I particulary remember the shocking scene in which the baby alien burst out of John Hurt at the dinner table,and the final scene where Ellen Ripley[Sigourney Weaver]blows the alien out of the airlock. Sigourney Weavers performence was brilliant,and she immediately conjured up a picture of a mentally strong,very tough,very self-reassured woman,who,yet,was still scared and uncomfortable of the alien presence. Ian Holm is very cold and creepy as the emotionless android,Ash,who betrays the rest of the crew. The crackling tension is carried allong at a slow but steady pace,and builds up to a enjoyable ending,which is'nt too OTT. Now I've got the alien saga on tape,this is,and allways will be one of my favourite films. P.A.B 10
Rating: 
Summary: .
Review: Arguably the best film in what has become the Aliens series. It isn't as dynamic or action-packed as Aliens, but that's kind of what I like about it. The film conducts itself quietly, patiently, with fairly minimal dialogue and a lot of emphasis on visual atmospherics. It allows itself to develop on its own terms, and it may bore some viewers because of this, but I commend it, myself. My only complaint is that, although there are some creepy moments, some of the suspense is cliched -- and suspense cliches really great on my nerves. Other than that this is a quality movie.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone Will Hear You Scream "YES!"
Review: This has to be one of the best DVD releases for some time - excellent picture quality, brilliant sound and the features..."YES!" To the person who asked about the extra footage - it is separate from the film. The film is the version that has always been available, nothing added. On the DVD there is a chaptered compilation of deleted scenes. At last we can hear the "distress" call where it all begins.Alien is an excellent movie, taking the classic SF plot of a group of people isolated and at the mercy of something nasty, and elevating it to a height only ever bettered by its first sequel. The film begins almost as if it is a documentary, you half expect a voiceover to tell us that this show is being broadcast live from the deep space commerical towing vehicle Nostromo. At first if develops at a slow pace, which works wonderfully, but once the beast is revealed the film accelerates along at a high pace. This film also has one of my all-time fave movie scenes - the scene with Brett and Jones. I won't spoil it for anyone who has yet to see the film, others will know what I mean. Like the early part of the movie, it seems slow but the tension builds up... An excellent film, and in many ways it has not been bettered.
Rating: 
Summary: ms. weaver
Review: Sigourney Weaver's terrific performance and the amzing special effects save this movie from getting 1 star.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: As with so many film series, I somehow ended up seeing ALIENS and ALIEN3 before seeing the original. In comparison to it's successors, ALIEN is a masterpiece. It is mainly in plot and script that ALIEN is magnificent. It is unbelievably well written, and the plot is superbly creepy and complex. The cast are formidable, although it's a shame that Ripley isn't much more than a sub-character in this instalment of the Alien saga. The actual alien is powerfully scary, and the shots of it lurking round the ship are truly terrifying. ALIEN is one of the creepiest films ever made, but sadly director Ridley Scott devotes all his efforts into suspense. This means a rather noticable lack of action. You can tune in one minute, leave and tune in again an hour later - little will have happened. This is it's only failing - it seems to drag on forever. But that aside, there's really nothing I can complain about. One of the all time masterpieces.
Rating:
Summary: A classic suspense sci-fi film, outstanding in DVD
Review: A real classic made all the better by DVD. This isn't a shoot 'em up masterpiece like Aliens. The horror unfolds slowly as we watch the crew on a space freighter confront the alien. Weaver's performance is outstanding. DVD transfer looked perfect. Even if you have the videotape, buy the DVD, it's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: one of the scariest films ever made
Review: all i can say about this excellent landmark masterpiece is:115 minutes of taut suspense.
Rating:
Summary: Truly a Sci Fi classic
Review: This movie is definately on of the classics in the sci-fi genre... The emotional impact is excellent, and fitting... Though Aliens had better effects and more action, the suspense of alien made up for the lack of flashy effects... The DVD is, imho, the best, but any transfer gives you the same feeling of emotional power... even the old pan-and-scan standard edition laserdisc... truly a remarkable film, well worth a look...
Rating:
Summary: Simply Excellent
Review: I saw this movie when it first came out at the Egyptian 70mm screen in Hollywood. It was completely riveting. Before the show ended about 1/5th of the audience had already fled the theatre. So much for claims that the movie is 'overrated'. If you've never seen this show in a theatre you've never seen it.
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