One of my most controversial movie opinions is that I’m not that into Alien. It surprises even myself, as I love its concept. I like horror in general, and the relative novelty of sci-fi horror elevates proceedings. I’m even a particular fan of cosmic horror, and while the immediate threat of the Xenomorph isn’t dissimilar from being trapped in a cabin with a vicious animal, the creature has qualities that transcend the limited imagination of its human prey (such as its acidic blood).

And yet, I felt underwhelmed by my initial viewing. A partial explanation might be that I was going in hoping for more of a horror film than a sci-fi feature. The conflict doesn’t begin until halfway through the movie, and it becomes tedious when characters repeatedly suggest splitting up only to invariably be picked off one-by-one. It feels like the second half of Alien moves too quickly to compensate for its slow start, which prevents suspense from adequately building. I think high-definition home video doesn’t necessarily do some sets a favor. Near the start of the movie, light hits the inside of the alien spacecraft in a manner that makes it appear plastic, which isn’t a particularly imposing substance despite its own real-life existential threat.

I do think Alien succeeds more with its sci-fi ponderings, and a revisit intending to engage with those elements more than the horror might raise my appreciation of the movie. Some day, perhaps.