Alien Movie Review 1979

Terse direction, stunning sets and special effects, and a well-seasoned cast save this from being another "Slimy monster from Outerspace" story. Instead it's a grisly rollercoaster of suspense and fear (and a huge boxoffice hit). Intergalactic freighter's crew is invaded by an unstoppable carnivorous alien intent on picking off the crew one by one. While the cast mostly bitches and banters while awaiting the horror of their imminent departure, Weaver is exceptional as Ripley, a self-reliant survivor who goes toe to toe with the Big Ugly. Futuristic, in the belly of the beast visual design creates a vivid sense of claustrophobic doom enhanced further by the ominous score. Oscar-winning special effects include the classic baby alien busting out of the crew guy's chest routine, a rib-splitting ten on the gore meter. Successfully followed by "Aliens" and "Alien 3."

Distribution

CBS/Fox Video, 1330 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, Phone: (212)373-4800, Toll-free: 800-800-4369, Fax: (212)373-4803, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 116 minutes.
Originally from British.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Sci Fi, Aliens Are People, Too, Unhappy Meals, Alien Beings--Vicious, Space Operas, Wonder Women, Robots & Androids, Top Grossing Films of 1979, Special FX Wizards: Anton Furst, Cats, Computers

Screenplay

Dan O'Bannon

Cast

Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Yaphet Kotto, Harry Dean Stanton, Ian Holm, John Hurt, Bolaji Badejo

Cinematography

Derek Vanlint

Director

Ridley Scott

Music

Jerry Goldsmith

Other

Helen Horton, Terry Rawlings, Peter Weatherley, Roger Christian, Les(lie) Dilley

Producer

20th Century-Fox

Awards

Oscars 1979: Visual FX, Natl. Film Reg. 2002.