STAR RATINGS EXPLAINED

Classic

Excellent

Good

Fair

Tragic

FILM DETAILS

Certificate 18

Cast Tom Skerritt Sigourney Weaver Veronica Cartwright

Directors Ridley Scott

Screenwriters Dan O'Bannon Ronald Shusett

Running Time 117 minutes

EMPIRE ESSAY: Alien (18)

Plot
When commercial towing vehicle Nostromo, heading back to Earth, intercepts an SoS signal from a nearby planet, the crew are under obligation to investigate. After a bad landing on the planet, some crew members leave the ship to explore the area. At the same time as they discover a hive colony of some unknown creature, the ship's computer deciphers the message to be a warning, not a call for help. When one of the eggs is disturbed, the crew do not know the danger they are in until it is too late.

Verdict
Some favour James Cameron's gung-ho sequel, but in duplicating the alien for shoot-'em-up potential, it serves only to highlights the reserve and purity of the original.


Reviewer: Andrew Collins

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