The Network
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The Network |
| All DVD Reviews [16] | DVD Review - Last Updated - Thursday, August 8, 2002 |
Disc Details
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A Alien D G H M Mummy Returns, The Special Edition P R S Saving
Private Ryan T X V |
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Features Interactive
menus
Scene access Original Theatrical trailers Deleted scenes Outtakes English Audio Commentary by Ripley Scott Artwork & Photo galleries Original Story boards Isolated original score Alternative music track Language: Menu: Aspect Ratio: Sound Tracks Region: Running Time: DVD Media:
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Alien |
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Alien
is a film because of its age in the horror or sci fi bin, probably
not far off The Thing and The Shinning, something like 20 years
ago, Alien landed. While not being an outrageous action thriller,
the pacing, the acting, the story all made for an extremely enjoyable
ride. The pacing of the whole film seems a little slow by today's
standards, we'll see a good ten minutes into the first sequences,
as confused as the characters - spent showing us what the predicament
it.
 The
crew of a 20,000,000 ton cargo ship are awoken by the computer "Mother"
because of a beacon given off on a planet. They are awoken half way through
their return to Earth. There is a good third of the movie spent before
the cast enter the windy planet and discover the mysterious alien empire
spawned by thousands of eggs. Ripley stands out as one of the crew but
nothing short of a young astronaut, strict and without feeling.The other six crew are not exactly the astronaut type, we have a couple of guys who wouldn't look out of place in a 1980's bar, a scientist who would fit in with the Star Trek fan club, and a cowardly woman who would fit in with being a nurse. And of course an android, or synthetic person, however the crew are taken in by it being a real person. The action sequences are as original as they are disgusting, the all to memorable scene with the alien bursting through the scientists chest is even more horrific than the VHS version - I noticed the shaking hands, the spasm chest and blood just pouring every were. Beautiful. Video Quality The
picture quality is not quite as impressive as its sequale Aliens,
but is remarkably clean for its age. There isn't any noticeable
noise, or artefacts of the aged master. This is another THX Digitally
remastered set so you get the trademark THX scream and full sound
track.
It comes in a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer, and looks like it was made for it. I think it makes a real difference when they leave in the original 20th Century Fox logo screen - it is pretty dull -ugly and full of sound inequalities. The picture detail is fair, but ht contrast - yes on the dark side - is very good, black leevels and white levels are very finely matched. Colours while they are limited look fine and full. It's funny to see the rather poor quality of computer graphics come across, but it adds to the feel of authenticity of the film. Audio Quality The
audio side isn't too bad, the surround mix featuring Dolby Digital
is good, although the rear channels are quiet and not used enough.
Since most of the scenes are talking and a little SFX the sound
sticks to the front end mostly. Some of the sound effects though
have beeen enhanced, and there is a better dynamic range, as there
is with the picture.
There are a separate 2.0 English and French downconverted mixes too, these do sound particularily better than the stereo Dolby Digital one. Extras This
is where you get your moneys worth. The DVD is packed full of extras,
from the original trailers, some deleted scenes a commentary by
Ridley Scott and some fine artwork and picture galleries. They have
also given the subtitles a lot of attention, with over 10 subtitles
available in various languages.
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