Alien

The most famous representative of its genre, its thematically related followers can’t even hold a candle to it. My big sister told me that during a screening in our cinema (during the totalitarian era – what a wonder!), a female spectator didn't manage to leave the hall and threw up during one tense scene. Nowadays, Alien probably wouldn't shock anyone, but back then it was something completely new, unseen. I have two people in particular to thank for that: Ridley Scott, who was in fine form, and H.R. Giger, without whose vision, the result would probably not have been so rewarding. (02/03/2003)

So, I finally watched one of the most famous sci-fi horror films of the last century and I have to admit that I have been deprived for a long time of a perfect piece of filmmaking with an eerie atmosphere that must have caused quite a stir when it was released. In fact, even now, thirty years later, it is a quality piece of filmmaking that many times sends shivers down one's spine, and I personally found myself looking at the screen through my fingers a few times during the film. Sigourney Weaver played the badass Ripley brilliantly and was complemented perfectly by Ian Holm, who incidentally was the centre of an excellent plot. In short, a classic that will surely not succumb to age in the future, as the shots of the spaceship itself or the aliens are breathtaking examples of the great work of the visual effects artists. (16/07/2011)

A classic that nowadays affects me more with its perfect visual design by R.H. Geiger, rather than a haunting impression, as during the first watch. Yet it is impossible to admire R. Scott's skill in inducing an atmosphere of danger and working with the "established" horror techniques that have become the quintessence of modern science fiction horror filmmaking under his guidance. (27/01/2004)

Seven years later, I again watched the film that got me interested in film in the first place. I was surprised that it hasn't lost any of its appeal over the years. Perhaps the fact alone that I remember those legendary moments vividly enough to still be frightened or tense. But that's a purely subjective feeling. Scott's thoughtful direction, in which all the essential elements - the cold spaceship design, the play of lights and shadows, Goldsmith's music, the rational crew and, last but not least, the legendary uninvited guest - are perfectly in place and can still captivate me even all these years later. To today’s generation (my contemporaries), for whom cinematic horror is produced in the form of screaming teenagers and remakes of Asian boogeymen, this space opus probably doesn't really do much for them, but over the years it's not what, but how! Without a drop of nostalgia, fully aware of "getting older," it’s still an absolutely riveting blast. (21/02/2009)

When a movie manages to frighten you to death even thirty years after its release, you must admit it’s good. And all you need to do is to show nothing, keep everything hidden and flash lights in the viewers’ faces and they will be terrified. If it weren’t for James Cameron, Ridley Scott would be the uncrowned king of the Alien saga. (25/11/2007)