MovieChat Forums > Alien (1979) Discussion > Unfortunately hasn't stood the test of t...

Unfortunately hasn't stood the test of time

posted 4 years ago by LiquidOcelot (2300)
40 replies | jump to latest

It was groundbreaking on release, but it's too slow paced and uneventful for repeat viewings. Too many drawn out scenes that are only suspenseful on an initial viewing.

I was thinking whether this is due to the late 70's/early 80's era of film-making but there are plenty of movies that came out around the same time that are still as watchable today such as 'The Thing', 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' or Ridley's own 'Blade Runner'. As good as this movie was when it came out, it's a drag to watch today.

[–] trevorh321 (5495) 4 years ago

I think just the opposite. It's one of the truly great SF films.

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

I think this is totally incorrect; it holds up beautifully even after 40 years. In some ways the effects hold up better than even the first star wars film; not quite as good as Empire Strikes back though. The pacing is remarkably good; and the tension and suspense is so thick you can almost cut it out of the air. What scenes do you think are drawn out? They are built that way to create suspense. The build up for a satisfying climax; such as Brett's Death or Dallas's death.

I think that it is every bit as "watchable today" as those other films you mentioned. I am sort of surprised by your take on this film. It is greatly paced and very eventful. I am not sure specifically what you mean by this, can you elaborate?

I watched again just a couple of years ago and loved it. It reminded me indeed that Alien is a better film than Aliens; despite Aliens being more 'fun'. I almost want to watch it again now, in honor of Ian Holm and because it is on my mind now.

[–] Owlwise (1490) 4 years ago

This, exactly. The pacing is pitch-perfect, building up & steadily increasing the tension & suspense until it's almost unbearable. That conscious, carefully measured pace makes the progress & power of the alien palpably inexorable; the brittle edge of desperation & hysteria just keeps getting more intense as the moments tick by.

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

Yes; the pacing of this film is about one of the most perfect examples on how to build tension. You can almost taste the tension right until the moment the 'jump scare' happens. Too many films do the jump scare too soon and it is basically the equivalent of premature ejaculation. in Alien it builds to the climax just so deliciously.

The jump scare is worthless if the build up wasn't right. And Alien nails the build up perfectly

[–] 4Freedom (142) 3 months ago

>The pacing is remarkably good; and the tension and suspense is so thick you can almost cut it out of the air

I would say that one of the only films that have done this as well was Life (2017).

[–] pjl69 (2430) 4 years ago

I'm thankful they used to make films like these in Hollywood. Straight to action is now the industry standard, and its getting really boring.

[–] mitzibishi (1617) 4 years ago

Gotta have that cold open.

I missed the days where we had the titles at the start for 5 minutes with the theme tune and stock footage of cars driving up and down city streets

[–] mitzibishi (1617) 4 years ago

Really, I rewatched it on the anniversary in the cinema and gave it a straight 10 out of 10.

[–] Kendricks (2081) 4 years ago

"It was groundbreaking on release, but it's too slow paced and uneventful for repeat viewings."
Maybe for "generation Transformers", I still love it every time I watch it.

[–] Ace_Spade (9348) 4 years ago

The pacing is what keeps the suspense going. Repeat viewings make your salivation period longer in anticipation/dread of the coming terror. Every time I watch it I find something new to love.

I'm surprised you like Blade Runner but not Alien... They're very similar in how they're shot in many respects - as you say, that cinema verite holdover quality a lot of '70s/'80s movies had.

[–] yatzo376 (7452) 4 years ago

No
Still holds up mightily but i rewatched Bladerunner recently and that one dragged

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

That is a good point; between the 2 Alien has much better pacing. Blade Runner has a few parts that drag a bit. Such as the first scene with Rachel; the scenes in Deckard's apartment, a few parts in the Sebastian's workshop. Now those scenes serve a purpose in establishing things about the characters and to create a mood for the setting; but if you are already familiar with the feel of the film (ie it is not your first viewing) then this scenes can drag a bit and leave you a feeling of 'I know this already can we get on with it'. However they are extremely important for the first viewing (or even a first view after not seeing it for many years). But admittedly it does somewhat negatively impact the rematch value.

Alien does not have this problem. Each scene is a build up to an event; and the tension it creates is almost perfectly executed.

[–] pjl69 (2430) 4 years ago

Did you watch it with or without Harrison's voice overs? I mean, you can remove voice overs from the movie soundtrack, but they still affect pacing of the film. You'd also have to tighten editing, which means fixing sound effects and music score. I doubt they did that, when they created the final cut. That's why the movie might feel dragging at some places if the voice overs aren't there. Just a thought...

[–] yatzo376 (7452) 4 years ago

With voiceovers.
I still love the film but the impact it had on me in 1982 has diminished.

[–] arflexit (2376) 4 years ago

Yeah, that is true; the narration was such a mistake in the first place. Totally unnecessary to the story; it adds such little plot and just causes scenes to be slowed down unnecessarily. The film is much better without it; but as you point out there are some scenes that seem to linger strangely because they were originally shot with time enough for the narration to be done.

[–] trevorh321 (5495) 4 years ago

Blade Runner wasn't quite the masterpiece I expected, though I enjoyed it well enough.

[–] contreras (458) 4 years ago

I've never been a huge fan of Blade Runner, although I recognise its place in the history of sci-fi. Love the second one though.

[–] naDaht (1087) 4 years ago

Once you realise it's just another dumb slasher flick it kinda loses its appeal.

[–] Joogle83 (4147) 4 months ago

are mistaking this for Life Movie(2017)

[–] Ripkens25 (1901) 4 months ago

The technology in the ship doesn’t stand the test of time, either. Just rows and rows of square, unlabeled buttons.