Alien

There are few movies that really stand the test of time, but Alien is definitely one them.  I watched this movie for probably the tenth time last night, and it was still just as good as the first.  There is so much good to talk about with this movie, but as this is a class on monsters, I'll stick to that.

Half of this movie (at least) doesn't even have the alien in it.  Unless you count the face-huger that doesn't do much.  But while this bothered me to no end in the new Godzilla movie, Scott makes it work.  He spends this early time getting us fully immersed in the setting.  While there isn't a ton of characterization, we do get to know most of the stereotypes each crew member represents.  This is a horror movie after all and I'm not really expecting deep thoughtful characters.  The mood is what is important, and this is developed beautifully.  This is really a movie you have to watch in near total dark to get the full impact.

The Alien itself boils down to the same thing as most other monster movies.  He sneaks around, killing people, and either leaving no trace, or a bloody mess.  Standard.  His kills even exhibit that unknowable inability to make even the slightest motions to attempt to save themselves.  (Only Ripley and Parker seem able to take any actions in the Alien's presence)  So there is nothing about the Alien itself that really serves to terrify any more than any other monster movie, especially from the '80s.  (unless maybe it is Geiger's superb creature design)

So what makes this a great monster movie?  The atmosphere and the pacing.  Scott accomplishes both so perfectly, that you forget (even on the 10th viewing) that this is just another monster, and you worry.  The claustrophobia of the ship (even one as big as the Nostromo combined with the refinery) keeps the action tight, and the single monster keeps the suspense high.  Additionally there is almost no time wasted in this movie.  Every scene serves the purpose of creating an even better atmosphere.  Even the long into helps to do this.  Add in the excellent score, and it all makes a very enjoyable movie.  Is it perfect, probably not.  I would like to know a bit more about the characters perhaps, and seen a bit more action on the part of the victims, but that is all secondary.

As an aside, I also recently re-watched Predetor which was released 8 years later.  It uses a more action take on a similar story.  But as much as I like Predator, I feel Alien has the better idea.  Perhaps somewhere between standing helplessly and unloading 500 rounds into a swath of jungle?  Or right, that's Aliens, one of my favorite movies ever.  But that's not a horror movie anymore.