Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Alien: "You are my lucky star"

 Purchased at a local thrift store in June 2012


     With the release of the biggest sci-fi movie of the summer thus far (sorry MIB 3), Prometheus, I thought I would take a trip down memory lane and watch the film that put director Ridley Scott on the map.

       Personally, Ridley Scott has done two great things for me. Those being developing my love for Harrison Ford (who starred in his 1982 film Blade Runner) and securing science fiction films a place in my heart for life. As a director though, his resume spans from Thelma and Louise and Gladiator to G.I. Jane and Black Hawk Down. Clearly, the man is capable of great things but none of them include a shaved head Demi Moore. Before such fumbles though, there was the 1979 film Alien. The movie begins with the tugboat of a spacecraft named Nostromo returning back to Earth but their trip home gets interrupted when they receive an alarming signal from a neighboring planet. Captain Dallas (Tom Skerritt) leads his crew into a detour to the planet to investigate. 

       The movie is not only labeled under the genre of sci-fi but horror as well and this is the turning point in the story where that become apparent. After the ships computer translates the message as a caution and not an S.O.S., it's all down a black hole from there. With the story taking place on the set designed by surrealist artist, H.R. Giger (which won him the 1980 Academy Award for "Best Visual Effects"), the heroine of the movie, Ellen Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver in her breakout role) surprises everyone as she progressively increases her level of badass with her gutsy moves as the film goes on. 


     Bringing a good blend of both sci-fi and horror as described, this movie is enjoyable for anyone who enjoys either. Though a little cliched with how the story is carried out, a slow, tame start that quickly turns into a space showdown, it contains enough visual elements to keep you interested. Flamethrowers? Check. Cute cat name "Jonesy"? Got it. An alien bursting out of a humans chest? But of course!


Left on the Red Line around 8:30 p.m. on 6/12/12

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