Alien

In space, no one can hear you scream. 40th Anniversary Rerelease Ridley Scott's Alien is one of my all-time favorites, sharing the top spot in its category only alongside James Cameron's 1986 follow-up, Aliens. I’m so grateful for the chance to attend a screening at my local theater for the film's 40th anniversary, knowing that this would be one of the few chances to experience it at this level of detail, immersion, and sound. And god damn did it deliver. Opening credits. Immediately introducing the universe to the viewer in the most haunting and methodical way possible. From the start, the beautifully-crafted set design and looming tone can be attributed to the overall mood that Ridley Scott intended to capture, and he does so incredibly. The shining star that stitches the film together and feeds its viewer bit by bit, is Scott's masterful control over building tension. Between uneasy silences, battles of emotion, and the complete ambiguity of the stellar unknown, the film has its audience captivated from the moment they begin to fear what has come aboard the USS Nostromo. Each scene embodies the growing amount of peril for the characters to the fullest, with them being established as flawed, human, and thoroughly-developed, all of which made further possible through the terrific cast performances and dialogue. No matter how hard you try, the film's pacing and production design throws you into its world without warning, leaving you alone to interpret the horrors that unfold. Scott has such a developed understanding and appreciation of H.R. Giger's exceptional creation, and his talent as a director is what gives the Alien universe its distinct direction and core. Visually, the combination of science and space has never looked more breathtaking. Patient interior shots of the vessel, combined with an array of exploratory camera angles, leave a lasting wonder of somber curiosity as we too drift through the void of space. The level of detail in every costume, interior, and camera shot remains absolutely original to this day, retaining the one-in-a-kind appeal of its era. It's a love letter to imagination, a presentation of what it means to envision a story and see it come to life as a pure experience. Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, for many more years to come, will continue to remain one of the most badass female leads in a movie, ever. The fun doesn't stop there; the rest of its chilling universe eagerly awaits you. As for this perfect introduction, with plenty of iconic weight as a sci-fi cult classic and a true cinematic experience, Alien is without a doubt, Ridley Scott's masterpiece.