Not as character driven as the original but with more suspense and action.

While it didn't wow me, this movie is unique to the horror genre by having practically nothing wrong with it. A very solid movie and should have ended up more of a blueprint on how to do proper horror movies.

It has one crucial narrative flaw: the besieged are readily capable of dealing with the threat posed by the titular thing. Alien doesn't have this problem; its blue-collar crew are understandably out of their element. Here, it almost seems like they've dealt with an alien menace a few times before. What suspense there is comes not from the dread of inevitability, but from simple curiosity as to what will happen next. Still, its one of Carpenter's best looking films, with a palpable atmosphere.

The real villain of this movie isn't the alien, but rather the doubt the characters have in their comrades. The camp doesn't interfere with the wonderful tension that Carpenter constructs from this mistrust. This movie manages to epitomize its genre whilst still searching for a universal truth, which is impressive and enjoyable. I also really appreciated the ambiguity of the closing scene, where Russell and David finish the film with a whisper.

That was amazing! I've never been so antsy and tense watching a movie. My brother was so stressed by the end he even got a headache; it sucked for him, but it sure says something about its effectiveness. Overall I'd say it's an extremely well put together thriller with a really cool performance by Kurt Russell.

Excellent Alien-style special effects. A very creepy, well-made film.

83.500

Assault on Precinct 13 in reverse, and some of the best practical effects ever.