Alien

It's a perfect organism. But this time it's black.

Alien, a classic sci-fi horror film starring Sigourney Weaver, is set in the year 2122 aboard the commercial spaceship Nostromo, taking place some time after the events depicted in Prometheus and Covenant, chronologically. The film introduces key elements of the Alien franchise, though some of its storytelling and cinematic techniques reflect the limitations of its time.

The depiction of cryo-stasis is quite underwhelming, though it must be acknowledged that this was a 1979 production. One of the first narrative flaws is how casually the crew reacts to being awakened from stasis, they simply go about their routine, grabbing food before even questioning why they were disturbed. Is this a common occurrence for them? If so, why? The film leaves this ambiguous.

Seemingly, Alien does not introduce humanoid robots as prominently as the prequels, making the sudden reveal of Ash as an android quite unexpected. However, this raises an inconsistency. Why would an android require stasis at all? This aspect, while intriguing, does not fully align with the logic established in later films.

Cinematically, the film is simple and stoic, reflecting the early years of color cinematography. However, the special effects, while old-school, are impressively executed for their time. The alien itself is masterfully designed, creating an eerie and unsettling presence. That being said, the film's lighting choices, particularly the excessive use of flickering lights, feel more obnoxious than atmospheric. This was a common horror trope of the era, but here, it becomes somewhat exhausting to watch.

The decision for the crew to land on the planet is not immediately justified within the narrative, which can be a little disorienting. However, it serves as a great introduction to the Alien mythos, particularly if we ignore the later prequels that convoluted the established lore. The egg chamber investigation is an effective and eerie moment, and the slow incubation period of the xenomorph is a notable difference from later films, where this process is significantly expedited. This isn't necessarily a flaw of Alien, but rather a later inconsistency in the series made for entertainment.

One of the most puzzling aspects of the film is the crew's lack of emotional response to the xenomorph's presence. While there is tension, fear, and urgency, their reactions sometimes feel oddly subdued for the extreme danger they are in. However, Ripley is the clear standout character, displaying intelligence and survival instincts that make her a strong and believable protagonist. The extended cut offers even more depth to the crew's psychology, making it a valuable addition.

A curious detail is the presence of a cat onboard. While it adds some moments of tension, mistaken for the alien at times, it does raise questions about why such an animal would be part of the crew's setup. Still, it is a fun addition to the story. Another nice detail is the alien shedding its old skin as it grows, a subtle but effective way to show its rapid development. Conversely, the concept of water, rain inside the spaceship makes little sense and is a noticeable oversight.

The film's famous "perfect organism" line, spoken by Ash, is meant to highlight the alien's lethal efficiency from a cold, analytical perspective. However, considering its vulnerabilities and limitations, the statement doesn't fully hold up under scrutiny.

Another noticeable element is the self-destruct sequence, which is dragged out to the point of frustration. While meant to build tension, the prolonged and overly dramatic countdown feels excessive. The final explosion in space also feels exaggerated, bordering on over-the-top.

Despite these criticisms, Alien is a foundational piece of sci-fi horror. The decision to have a female lead in 1979 was a bold choice, and while it could have been an agenda-driven decision, it never feels forced. Ripley's presence is natural, and Weaver's performance cements her as one of the most iconic characters in the genre.

Overall, while Alien has its inconsistencies and aged elements, it remains an atmospheric and influential classic that successfully establishes the terrifying xenomorph threat.