Alien (Director’s Cut) (1979)

Author: Old Mother Hubbard

“Alien” (1979) Huge blockbuster motion picture that I saw on the big screen in a movie theater when it first came out in 1979. On a 14 million dollar budget the film grossed 188 million dollars. 20th Century Fox were extremely pleased to put it mildly. Quite frankly Scarlett, I was fucking blown away when I first saw it. I have since become a big fan of the “Alien” series of films and I like the ones that other people don’t like, in particularly “Alien 3” (1992) where Ripley gets stuck on a gloomy prison planet.

Anywho, if you haven’t seen “Alien” you should. Everyone that looks at Effed Up Movies has more than likely seen it. The Alien itself looks really good and scary at times and a little clunky and awkward at other times. Just before Dallas gets kidnapped (I just watched the director’s cut) the Alien is a little silly looking. Also when that blubbering panic stricken mess Lambert is about to buy it the Alien has a “man in a monster suit” quality to it. Another issue that seems unrealistic (Yeah – I know – it’s a fantasy sci-fi horror flick) is that ship commander Dallas would be volunteering to go on dangerous missions, like investigating a transmission on a environmentally unfriendly planet or crawling through tight, claustrophobic airducts to flush out a dangerous and murderous monster. IRL the commander of the ship would not only just delegate these tasks to his minions but it would be a requirement that his “lesser-thans” would fulfill the tasks at hand for the safety of the ship. If Dallas had sent Ripley out to investigate the transmission there is absolutely no way he would have let the Alien get on to the ship. The fact that Ash was able to open the door was unrealistic in and of itself (Yeah – I know – Sci-fi horror fantasy – I get it). Speaking of Ash, near the beginning of the film you notice right away that there is something off about “him” which adds to the paranoia.

Irregardless of some minor flaws “Alien” stands up well 47 years later. Right from the beginning when the crew are awoken out of their hyper-sleep by “Mother” there is a sense of paranoia and claustrophobia knowing big brother is watching and calling the shots. When I originally saw it in the movie theater I was riveted and completely emotionally invested in to the story. I remember the suspense and tension in the final hour like it was yesterday. What do you guys think I should give this one for a rating? I’m going to give it 5 stars of course, you numbskulls.