Saying Ridley Scott’s statement is obviously not a huge leap alien is a masterpiece. This has been a statement of fact since the day it opened. But as we prepare for the next alien With the movie set to hit theaters this summer, we decided to take a look back at the series to see if we could delve a little deeper. Find something new, or at least try it. This is what we think.
These days we consider alien Becomes one of the best science fiction and even horror movies of all time. Apparently, it does. But I also think it should be considered one of the greatest mysteries of all time. Mystery and intrigue are the engine of the film, and everything is going smoothly until the alien pops out of the man’s chest and wreaks bloody havoc.
The entire movie is built around asking questions. Then answer the questions with answers that provide more questions. It all started when we saw the crew Boatswain wake up. We want to know why they wake up, what life is like on the ship, etc. These questions are answered when a mysterious message is discovered and assigned to investigate. Who sent this message? Why are they sending it? After arriving on the mysterious planet, the crew discovers a huge alien spacecraft. Clearly, this is the person who sent the message, but what exactly is this ship? Where did it come from? Who’s on top?
Once the crew comes aboard, things go to a whole new level. They encountered a giant skeleton sitting on a chair, which weapons fans later named “The Pilot.” Who is this creature? How long has it been there? What is it doing? How did it die? Unlike most other questions, these are never answered, as things quickly take a turn when Kane (John Hurt) encounters these equally fascinating eggs, only to open one of them and , we know what happens from there.
Scott’s focus on suspense also extends to filmmaking techniques. The film slowly explores through his lens Boatswain, almost like a person quietly and sneakily looking for something specific. After the Facehugger releases Kane, the camera movement is replicated again as Ash (Ian Holm) dissects it. The sets themselves are also designed to be like a maze, with multiple levels, tunnels, nooks and crannies everywhere, each one piques curiosity in its own unique way. Characters often appear in the shadows, the music is always moody and brooding, and everything is slow and thoughtful.
The film definitely changes once the alien bursts out of Kane’s chest, but still maintains its identity. The narrative mystery is simply replaced by the structure of a typical murder mystery, as the creature eliminates each member of the crew one by one like something out of an Agatha Christie novel. Is this a traditional murder mystery structure? No, especially since we know who the killers are and what they look like. But it’s just a unique approach that gives it a fresh approach while also adding to the tension and anticipation.
Ultimately, the film poses one final, big mystery to be solved, which is how and why Boatswain First finally got the creature. We learn that the company (later revealed to be Weyland-Yutani) ordered the robot Ash to find and return it, even at the expense of the crew’s lives. The reveal is painful and shocking for the remaining characters, but delicious for the audience. It’s such a heartless directive that we both hate everything about it and just need to know more. What does the company think this creature will do? How did they know about this? What do they expect to happen if the mission is successful?
Scott’s film isn’t interested in these answers. Instead, like many of the great science fiction films of the era, it leaves that to the imagination in favor of the characters and story. Obviously, alien Every frame has it. That’s why it’s a masterpiece. But watching it again, and thinking about the upcoming new film, we can’t help but marvel at the specific ways in which alien It captivated us and hasn’t let go for over forty years.
watch alien Now on the gourd. new movie, Alien: Romulusopening on August 16th.
Correction at 2:15 PM: We referred to the skeleton as an “Engineer” in our original post, which was a Promethean term, not an alien. That has been updated.
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