Here in the U.S. at least, Alien (1979) has recently been rereleased for its 45th anniversary, and last evening I was able to see it on the big screen for the first time. Previously, years ago, I'd seen it once or twice on the small screen as a rental.

I was surprised that I didn't recognize Tom Skerritt right away-- to my eyes at least, he looked so much younger than his appearances in Top Gun (1986) and later movies. A lot more hair back in the 1970s (then again, everyone had more hair back then). He was a perfect fit as the calm, understated Captain of Nostromo, however.

Sigourney Weaver was badass, as usual (though she was even more badass in the sequel, Aliens).

I normally like the industrial, grimy Sci-Fi of the 1970s (Dark Star, Silent Running, The Black Hole), but I was surprised, on this viewing in the theater, that this film did not hold up as well as I'd thought it would. In some ways, the set-design just came off as cheap, and a little overwrought (did Mother's central computer room need so many individual yellow lights? The 1960s film 2001: A Space Odyssey did this much better, as Bowman tinkered around inside HAL's "brain".). This is one of those cases where I think the sequel, Aliens (1986) was an improvement.

The design of the Alien itself was, of course, brilliant.

Alien:

Still a very enjoyable, groundbreaking film.

7 out of 10.