No. 24a - Alien (1979)

In Space No One Can Hear You Scream.

Wikipedia Link

Rated: R (Restricted) for sci-fi gore, violence and strong language

Director: Ridley Scott; Screenplay: Dan O'Bannon; Writer: Ronald Shusett

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

Movie Introduction: In deep space the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo is awakened from their cryo-sleep halfway through their journey home to Earth. The ship's computer, Mother, gives orders to investigate a distress call from an alien vessel. Three crew members, Captain Dallas, Kane and Lambert exit their craft and explore the oddly shaped ship. There Kane stumbles upon a nest of eggs deep within the alien ship. As Kane inspects one of the orbs, it opens up, a creature leaps out and attaches itself to Kane's helmet. Against Warrant Officer Ripley's objections, Kane is brought aboard. The creature has melted through his helmet and is now attached to his face. Kane is in a coma, but the organism is keeping him alive.

Defining Moment: chest pains

The creature on Kane's face appears to die and falls off. After a brief medical examination, he appears to be fine. The crew sits down for one last dinner before cryo-sleep, and the mood is light and pleasant. Kane starts to enjoy his meal, but suddenly cannot swallow and appears to be choking. He grasps at his chest, and collapses on the table in incredible pain.  It is here that we learn the truth about the alien's gestation using Kane as its host. 

Something subtle you might have missed:  Jonesy

Aboard the Nostromo is Jones the cat, called "Jonesy". This ginger American shorthair witnesses one grisly murder and almost costs Ripley her life trying to keep the darn cat safe.  

There are theories out there in the nerd world that perhaps Jonesy was secretly a second android. This might explain why the alien did not attack the cat when it hand the chance. Is it possible that the cat was not a warm-blooded life form? 

My theory is that the director needed another creative way to put crew members in senseless danger, and logically, risking all to save a stupid cat would be most believable.

Memorable Quotes:

“Something has attached itself to him. We have to get him to the infirmary right away.” - Capt. Dallas

"You still don't understand what you're dealing with, do you? The perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility." - Science Officer Ash

Dad's Review:

In the late '70, sci-fi movies were finding a wider audience thanks to that little space flick called Star Wars. In 1979, when Alien hit cinemas, I embraced the fact that this thriller was not populated with friendly Wookies and English-accented droids. This was a uniquely terrifying experience, soon to be classified as "science fiction horror".

Alien basically starts as a "day on the life" of a space salvage crew. It does not pretend to be cute. The Nostromo crew's life is mundane for the most part. Just like New York City firemen or Alabama trash collectors. These are just salvage workers out in space, doing their job.

When a distress signal rouses them from sleep, their orders are to investigate. Unfortunately for them, they encounter an organism - one that has been lying dormant, waiting to be found. It needs to gestate, to propagate. It does so efficiently and without remorse. Did I mention that it has concentrated acid for blood?

The Nostromo crew of salvage workers, frankly, have very little chance against it.

One aspect of this film was particularly revolutionary. This was the late '70 and, in film, women were rarely portrayed as leaders or heroes. I particularly admire that director Ridley Scott took a different angle. The director purposefully conditions the viewers to see Dallas as the crew's leader. He is the typical white male, handsome, in a position of authority, so we expect him to take charge and save the mission. However, this is not what occurs. 

It is the female officer, Ripley, who makes sound decisions, pulls people together, and uses her courage and ingenuity. She assumes command and takes action.

The film industry is only now acknowledging the significant impact this film had on women in cinema. Sigourney's performance IS amazing. She literally takes over a traditional male stereotype and makes it her own. In fact, her entire acting career is filled with her leadership, and shrewd decision-making regarding her role choices. She is role model for all girls and women.   

The film was a success, winning an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. The Alien itself was designed by Swiss artist H. R. Giger, whose often disturbing art style combines human physiques with machines. Giger describes it as "biomechanical".

Though it premiered to mixed reviews in 1979, critics have since reassessed Alien and deemed it a Science Fiction classic. Today, the Alien franchise still carries on in film, comics and video games.

I recommend it for three reasons: It's very realistic. It has some great jump moments. It introduced the world to Sigourney.

 Onto No. 24b... More than one non-native