Film 17 (9/5/2005)

Alien - 2003 Director's Cut (1979)

Director: Ridley Scott

Recommended by: BacardiJim

Has Fentablar seen this before?: seen the 1979 theatrical release, but not the director's cut

Alien is truly great in that it is a pioneer in combining suspense/horror with science fiction. The plot is very believable for science fiction and the film carries itself on in an extraordinary way as a suspense/horror piece.

Something I really love about this film is how subtle it makes the science fiction aspect - as though the only reason it exists is to create the environment and premise for the real plot of the film, something which Outland makes a bold attempt to follow. Indeed, this film is far more engulfed in suspense than it is in science.

Having now viewed the director's cut of Alien, I wonder why this was not the original release. It's shorter than the orignal, for one (minimally shorter, but still unheard of for a director's cut) and contains brief scenes which would have added useful effect to the theatrical release. Regardless, both versions of this praise-worthy film are great to behold.

I feel satiated now that I have re-watched the first Alien and Predator films, and am prepared to continue on with this project, unabated.

Ratings (scale of 1 to 5):

Plot Effectiveness: 5/5. Original, believable, executed well.

Cinematography/Shot Selection: 5/5. Ridley Scott is probably my favorite director for this category. His use of light is, in my opinion, unmatched amongst his peers.

Overall Acting: 5/5. No take-over type performances, but it seems to me that everyone filled their role to a tee.

Score/Soundtrack: 5/5. Subtle throughout the majority of the film as it should be; quick and sharp during the suspense-shock moments as it should be.

OVERALL RATING: 5/5

~Fentablar~