Alien: Director’s Cut

In 1974, John Carpenter’s sci-fi comedy “Dark Star” opened in theaters. John’s pal Dan O’Bannon penned a 29-page script called, “Memory.” About a crew of astronauts wake up in their ship, receive a distress signal coming from a mysterious planet. As he brainstorms some ideas, Alejandro Jodorowksy offers Dan a job to adapt “Dune.” However, the project was scrapped. So, Dan resumed back to his pet project. After watching”2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Jaws,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Star Wars: A New Hope,” Dan combines all four films into one sci-Fi horror thriller known as “Alien.”

Dan pitched the script to 20th Century Fox. (pre-Disney purchase) They liked it but suggested some rewrites to polish the script. Alien was green-lit. Walter Hill (The Warriors, 48 Hours, The Getaway) signed on as a producer and Ridley Scott in the director’s chair.

Released in 1979, (same year Apocalypse Now came out) it received mixed reviews from critics and made enough money at the box office. Overtime, Alien earned praise as one of the best sci-fi horror films. In 2002, the Library of Congress selected Alien for preservation in the National Film Registry. Alien spawned a sequel “Aliens, (my personal favorite) two stinkers “Alien 3” and “Alien Resurrection,” two prequels “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” video games, merchandise and a crossover series with “Predator” later adapted into two clunkers in 2004 and 2007. The first Alien movie solidified Sigourney Weaver as a star reprising her role as Ellen Ripley in three sequels.

Ridley Scott’s upcoming “Napoleon” starring Joaquin Phoenix, will stream soon on Apple TV. Ridley’s also busy making “Gladiator 2.” It’ll be released in Thanksgiving, 2024.

This review contains a few SPOILERS.

Alive & Dead Aspects

Alive: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm & Harry Dean Stanton all did an excellent job for their respective performances.

Ridley Scott did a great job directing the film. A talented artist, he also drew storyboards.

Fun Fact: Christopher Nolan is a fan of the Alien series.

Walter Hill produced the film.

Dan O’Bannon wrote the script.

Jerry Goldsmith (Rambo series, Star Trek series) orchestrated the soundtrack.

H.R. Giger designed the Xenomorph’s stages. Egg, Facehugger, Chestburster and grown adult. H.R. mentioned the creature originated from his nightmares.

Practical Effects were heavily involved building the Nostromo ship, interior designs and Death Scenes. Most notably, the Chestburster scene. Every time I see a Chestburster, I automatically picture “Spaceballs” with the creature singing “Hello my baby, hello my honey, hello my ragtime gal.”

The Xenomorph’s based on a snake. They’re both slimey, stealthy, sharp teeth and hiss.

Chemistry surrounding Ripley and her crew serves as the main highlight. Their teamwork’s put to the test.

Scare Factor relies on building suspense making it feel like the Xenomorph’s stalking you as prey. The ship’s enclosed interior gives it a claustrophobic mood. I prefer those type of horror movies that builds suspense, rather than Jump Scares.

The Director’s Cut contains additional or altered material in the theatrical version which adds more context and emotional tension.

• A fully completed scene with Ripley who discovers Dallas & Brett cocooned on a wall. Realizing its a nest for further Xenomorphs, Ripley sets the place on fire.
• The Crew listens to a transmission.
• Before taking an egg, Kane frantically grabs his blaster. Cue, Sheriff Bart’s line from “Blazing Saddles.” “Excuse me while I whip this out.”
• Ripley takes caution letting some of her crew members to die or else something will contaminate the ship. After the crew comes back, Lambert slaps Ripley.
• An extended version of Brett’s death showing the Xenomorph’s presence in all his glory.

My favorite line from Ash is “You have my sympathies.”

Before the Climax, a Plot Twist is revealed.

The Ending’s tied to the video game, “Alien: Isolation.”

If you rewatch the film, there’s subtle foreshadowing.

Dead: It takes an hour for the Xenomorph to show up. So, be patient.

The Final Verdict: A-

Despite one nitpick, the director’s cut of Alien slightly improves Ridley Scott & Dan O’Bannon’s vision. If you wanna introduce your friends to the Alien series, start with the first one. The sequel will blow their minds.