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Alien-- Random Thoughts
posted by northcoastSTAFFMOD on April 29, 2024 at 10:18 AM
Here in the U.S. at least, Alien (1979) has recently been rereleased for its 45th anniversary, and last evening I was able to see it on the big screen for the first time. Previously, years ago, I'd seen it once or twice on the small screen as a rental.
I was surprised that I didn't recognize Tom Skerritt right away-- to my eyes at least, he looked so much younger than his appearances in Top Gun (1986) and later movies. A lot more hair back in the 1970s (then again, everyone had more hair back then). He was a perfect fit as the calm, understated Captain of Nostromo, however.
Sigourney Weaver was badass, as usual (though she was even more badass in the sequel, Aliens).
I normally like the industrial, grimy Sci-Fi of the 1970s (Dark Star, Silent Running, The Black Hole), but I was surprised, on this viewing in the theater, that this film did not hold up as well as I'd thought it would. In some ways, the set-design just came off as cheap, and a little overwrought (did Mother's central computer room need so many individual yellow lights? The 1960s film 2001: A Space Odyssey did this much better, as Bowman tinkered around inside HAL's "brain".). This is one of those cases where I think the sequel, Aliens (1986) was an improvement.
The design of the Alien itself was, of course, brilliant.
Alien:
Still a very enjoyable, groundbreaking film.
7 out of 10.
Reply by rooprect
on April 29, 2024 at 5:58 PM
Wow, Alien on the big screen... that must've been intense. Funny, in my memory I remember the set design being very good, but now that you mention it I'm only thinking of the sick bay. You're probably right that Mother's room was a little too..... blinky lights 80s stuff.
You're right that the design of the alien was incredible. To this day I think it's the most terrifying 'monster' we've seen on film. My only gripe is I didn't like the very last scene where we finally see the entire alien as he's being ejected from the ship. We spend the entire movie seeing only closeups and disorienting shots, allowing our imagination to fill in the details. But the final shot gives us a glimpse of the whole thing, and it's jusssst a little too 'man in a rubber suit' for my taste. But who cares at that point. Great movie.