Alien: A Review/Analysis
Written by: Cameron Smith
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Ian Holm, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, and Yaphet Kotto
Director: Ridley Scott
Score Composer: Jerry Goldsmith
Alien was (and still is) a truly unique and groundbreaking film which set off Sigourney Weaver's career, redefined the sci-fi idiom, spawned a kick-ass action film directed by James Cameron, and an embarrassing third film in which Sigourney Weaver looks like Sinead O'Connor. More importantly, however, I want to focus on this film itself. Critically, it is wonderfully shot, brilliantly acted, scary, has a good bit of comic relief, defies cliches, and offers shocking twists and turns which come unexpected. Director Ridley Scott borrows great ideas from both 1977's Star Wars and 1974's Texas Chainsaw Massacre, while crafting it's own original ideas and themes. I am glad that I was able to revisit this film and see it for what it is: an exemplary science fiction/horror film with a great plot and theme.
SPOILER ALERT!!! The film concerns a crew of seven working people: Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), Dallas (Tom Skerrit), Ash (Ian Holm), Lambert (Veronica Cartwright), Harry Dean Stanton (Brett), Kane (John Hurt), and Parker (Yaphet Kotto). These seven working class heroes are operating a towing vessel named the Nostromo, which happens to come across intelligent life; the crew quickly (after a rough landing) investigates. Kane is mauled by one of the aliens, and the science engineer Ash breaks protocol and lets Kane and his new alien friend on the vessel, putting the crew in jeopardy. Things quickly go awry: the alien re-produces inside of Kane, Mother [the ships seemingly omniscient computer and voice of the evil corporation] is uncooperative, and all of a sudden, "Ash is a goddamn robot!" Ash reveals that the aliens are very strong and protected by their structure, and ends off: "I can't lie about your chances, but you have my sympathies." On the character of Ash, he was deliberately chosen as the science engineer, and the captain Dallas had no experience working with him... something makes me think that this whole ordeal was an elaborate plan by the corporation [excellent]?
SPOILER ALERT!!! One aspect of film I always love is the 'strong female protagonist;' Ripley ("last survivor of the Nostromo") perfectly fits this criteria and is the drive of this film. In fact, she is the most (if not the only) invested crew mate, and seems to be the only one who sees the danger to the Nostromo. She splits through the escape pod, watches the Nostromo burst from a far sight, and shoots off the alien into infinite space; finally, she makes a report on the situation and lays down with the one other survivor: her cat. This film is a sci-fi/horror masterpiece which still holds up today and gives deep insights into the intentions of corporation, the world around us, how humans cooperate with one and other, and why you should listen when told to freeze an alien!
SPOILER ALERT!!! One aspect of film I always love is the 'strong female protagonist;' Ripley ("last survivor of the Nostromo") perfectly fits this criteria and is the drive of this film. In fact, she is the most (if not the only) invested crew mate, and seems to be the only one who sees the danger to the Nostromo. She splits through the escape pod, watches the Nostromo burst from a far sight, and shoots off the alien into infinite space; finally, she makes a report on the situation and lays down with the one other survivor: her cat. This film is a sci-fi/horror masterpiece which still holds up today and gives deep insights into the intentions of corporation, the world around us, how humans cooperate with one and other, and why you should listen when told to freeze an alien!
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