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A landmark of science fiction and horror,Alienarrived in 1979 betweenStar WarsandThe Empire Strikes Backas a stylishly malevolent alternative to George Lucas's space fantasy. Partially inspired by 1958'sIt! The Terror from Beyond Space, this instant classic set a tone of its own, offering richly detailed sets, ominous atmosphere, relentless suspense, and a flawless ensemble cast as the crew of the space freighterNostromo, who fall prey to a vicious creature (designed by Swiss artist H.R. Giger) that had gestatedinsideone of the ill-fated crew members. In a star-making role, Sigourney Weaver excels as sole survivor Ripley, becoming the screen's most popular heroine in a lucrative movie franchise. To measure the film's success, one need only recall the many images that have been burned into our collective psyche, including the "facehugger," the "chestburster," and Ripley's climactic encounter with the full-grown monster. Impeccably directed by Ridley Scott,Alienis one of the cinema's most unforgettable nightmares.--Jeff Shannon

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Details

Cast: John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto, Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, Helen Horton, Bolaji Badejo
Director: Ridley Scott
Genre: Adventure, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Release Date: 25 May 1979 (USA)
MPAA Rating: R
Screen Writer: Dan O'Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Runtime: 117 min

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More Alien reviews

review by ryguy4738. June 24, 2012

posted in Movie Hype

Things that go bump in the spaceship.

**** out of **** Commercial towing spaceship Nostromo is making the long trip back to earth after the crew made out like a group of crafty bandits with about twenty million tons of mineral ore. Until the journey back is complete, the crew sleeps; although an incoming transmission temporarily interrupts their slumber. It comes from an unnamed planet, from an unknown source, but the computer - which the crew members call "Mother" - claims that it would be in their best interest … more

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Quick Tip by woopak_the_thrill. September 01, 2010

posted in Movie Hype

A Quick Tip by woopak_the_thrill

Fantastic Horror-Monster Film that still stands as one of the best Horror movies ever made! Geiger outdone himself with the impressive creature designs!

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Quick Tip by imahsome. July 25, 2010

posted in Movie Hype

A Quick Tip by imahsome

One of THE best sci-fi/horror flicks ever made. While all four have their merits and are all good movies in their own sense; none of the sequels have captured the ambiance and general sense of fear this one created.

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review by TheJohn. July 11, 2009

posted in Movie Hype

"Mommy! mommy! look what followed me home!"

Star Wars may have gotten the sci fi ball rolling in the 70's with a future that isn't always clean and where people don't always eat food pills, but Alien perfected it. The computers aren't fast, the seats are held together with duct tape, the machinery looks like it works and your crew members are a lot like co workers who you wish would mind their own business and do their job. It also presented the most memorable creature to ever grace screens, … more

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Quick Tip by TheJohn. December 29, 2009

A Quick Tip by TheJohn

Chilling and suspenseful sci fi horror with intergalactic miners picking up an unwanted passenger that proceeds to stalk and kill them.

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review by Captain_Couth. May 06, 2009

In space no one can hear you scream

Alien is one of the first films to take horror elements and successfully place it within a sci-fi picture. A space cargo ship is out in the middle of space searching for salvage and what nots picks a distress signal from another ship. An alien ship had crashed landed on some good forsaken rock in the dead of space. When they land upon the desolate planet, the crew picks up a very unwelcomed visitor when one of the crew get's "faced" by a strange looking crab like creature. Days … more

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review by Anirul. December 17, 2008

In the Name of Claustrophobia!

If you are not familiar with the term claustrophobia, you soon will be! Alien, the 1979 science fiction masterpiece by, then soon-to-be-a-legend director, Ridley Scott, bases his chilling elements on two factors: Atmosphere and music. Scott proves us that these two, when powerfully and effectively combined, can truly turn your average the-last-one-standing-survives story into a jumpy 117 minutes. We are hinted … more

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review by CRSwanson. September 03, 2007

posted in Movie Hype

Astonishingly good!

Somehow, despite my intense interest in movies, and despite having seen the other three 1/2 films in this series, I had never, until today, seen the first movie. It is good. Watching this film I was really taken aback by how well it's aged. You know how sometimes you can watch a movie, and it doesn't matter when it takes place, you can still peg roughly when it was made? that's not the case here. This is a movie that's only slightly younger than I am, … more

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review by TomBenton. June 11, 2007

In the pantheon of cinematic masterpieces, one of the finest

Someone once said, "There's a thin line between brilliance and absurdity." More than any other film, Ridley Scott's "Alien" supports that statement. It began as a low-budget project for notorious schlock producer Roger Corman, then titled "Star Beast," but somehow, along the way, everything just came together. If anyone but the great Mr. Scott had directed the film, if Sigourney Weaver had not received her breakthrough role as feminist icon Ellen Ripley, if the film had come together any other way, … more

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review by NicanorJourney. February 16, 2007

Amazing; truly remarkable

A timeless tale of horror and man (or in this case woman) against an unknown murderous force, Alien , now over 30 years in age, continues to be one of the most beloved gems of the science-fiction genre. Alien has always been one of my personal favorite movies for many reasons, which I would fail to summarize in the span of this review, but I certainly can try my best to fill out details on my casual view on what's the best way to enjoy the film. Alien is a haunted house if … more

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