Alien (2-Disc Collector's Edition) (US Version) DVD Region 1

Everything begins quite harmlessly as the viewer is introduced to a 7-member space crew on their way back to the blue planet. However, things turn from bad to worse after part of the team returns from an obligatory research trip on an unknown planet. As a result, a strange specimen is able to make its way on board nesting within the body of one of the crew's members. Growing from a small snake-like reptile to an all-devouring monster of immense proportions, the seemingly indestructible being wreaks havoc with the lives of the hapless team members. Providing one of the most solid performances for a female in a heroic role, Weaver's Ripley set the early example for similar characters that followed this trend including T2's Sarah Connor. Ripley's dominance no doubt is only undermined by the peril of the intelligent, yet emotionless Alien, preying on its victims in the obscure niches and corners of the spaceship Nostromo. As for the rest of Alien's well-matched cast including Veronica Cartwright, Yaphet Kotto, Ian Holm, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt and Tom Skerritt, their solid performances further assist the credibility of this gut-wrenching sci-fi horror odyssey.

The setting, mostly centered in the Nostromo imbued in sterile artificial colors, adds to the underlying tension of the story, most effectively in the climax of the movie featuring a chase through the spaceship which is about to self-destruct. An all-deciding showdown, during which Scott skillfully utilized pulsating light effects to overshadow the scenario of the monster closing in on the last survivors (including a cat called Jones), concludes this thrilling space nightmare.

Featuring a striking monster design by H. R. Giger, an atmospheric score by Jerry Goldsmith in combination with a well-crafted suspenseful plot that manages to keep the audience in terrified disbelief until the relieving end-title credits appear, Alien presents a cinematic classic that dares to be explored.