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10/18/08
Alien (1979)
97 %
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 72
Fresh: 70
Rotten:2
Average Rating: 8.6/10
Consensus: A modern classic, Alien blends science fiction, horror and bleak poetry into a seamless whole.
Runtime: 2 hrs 9 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Synopsis: Director Ridley Scott's breakthough film, an immensely successful blend of horror and science fiction, is a classic in both genres and spawned a host of sequels and imitators. Starring Sigourney Weaver as warrant officer Ellen Ripley,... [More]
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm
Director: Ridley Scott
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Reviews for Alien
Alien proved that material derided as B-movie fodder could be handled with finesse and glossy production values, without diminishing the thrills or polishing over the hard-edged horror.
09/20/08
The limited strengths of its staple sci-fi horrors always derived from either the offhand organic/ Freudian resonances of its design or the purely (brilliantly) manipulative editing and pacing of its above-average shock quota.
08/16/07
An old-fashioned scary movie set in a highly realistic sci-fi future, made all the more believable by expert technical craftmanship.
06/04/07
Top Critic There's nothing terribly complex or original about the movie, but it is distinguished by its clever and innovative use of B-movie staples in a hi-tech setting.
06/04/07
An empty-headed horror movie with nothing to recommend it beyond the disco-inspired art direction and some handsome, if gimmicky, cinematography.
06/04/07
Top Critic This scary feature breathed new life into the horror genre, launching a length film franchise and introducing to audiences a major actress, Sigourney Weaver, in a tough role typically allotted to men.
03/15/07
A movie masterpiece. And on the big screen, the chestburster scene just kills.
12/30/06
The limited strengths of its staple sci-fi horrors always derived from either the offhand organic/ Freudian resonances of its design or the purely (brilliantly) manipulative editing and pacing of its above-average shock quota.
02/09/06
Top Critic These things no longer surprise or tantalize us as they once did. In a very short time, science-fiction films have developed their own jargon that's now become a part of the grammar.
05/09/05
Top Critic
Top Critic ...a movie so good, so involving and so jolting that it not only takes is place among the great science fiction films of our time, but also the great thrillers.
07/24/04
Ripley, the protagonist of Alien, has more in common with our Puritan ancestors than with us.
05/16/04
Top CriticLatest News for Alien
September 22, 2008:
Five Favorite Films with Chuck Palahniuk
In honor of his latest novel-cum-film, Choke, opening this week nationwide, bestselling author Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club) shares his Five Favorite Films with Rotten Tomatoes! More...
December 18, 2007:
Ridley Scott on Blade Runner: The Final Cut: The RT Interview
With the DVD release of Blade Runner: The Final Cut, Ridley Scott has once again revisited his masterpiece, subtly reframing one of the most hotly-discussed films of all... More...
October 26, 2007:
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem -- See What A "Predalien" Looks Like!
According to USA Today, when you cross an Alien with a Predator, the result is "either a bad joke or a box-office hit." More...
May 30, 2007:
"Alien vs. Predator 2" is a "Horror Movie"
It's been a while since we've done anything on "Alien vs. Predator 2," so let's talk about that one for a few minutes. More...
Related Forums for Alien
Congratulations to Alien!
by: Metafact 7/3/07
by: Metafact 7/3/07
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