'Alien' is a film that created the modern 'space horror' genre; it also provided the springboard for director Ridley Scott's brilliant career. From the eerie beginning of the film (when the word 'Alien' forms in stages to the strange music), to the shock of the Facehugger leaping onto Kane's (John Hurt) face, and the horror of the Chestburster exploding from him, this movie has left us scenes that have become film history. I think most of have very clear memories of where we first saw this classic!
The brilliant ensemble cast is one major factor in why this movie came out so well; another is the fact that the producers, writers, and Ridley Scott had the artistic wherewithall to use unique, actual artists to create the look of the film. Using Swiss artist H.R. Giger to create the Alien in it's various incarnations and the alien ship were strokes of genius - Giger is in a class by himself, and no other film can claim the creature's originality (the other Alien sequels are merely adaptations/modifications of his concept). Scott's admiration for French artist Moebius is apparent in the spacesuit designs and other areas of the Nostromo and attached machinery. The 'Space Jockey', aka the pilot of the vast alien ship containing the eggs, is really a mindbender, even though it is only onscreen for a very brief period.
The Director's Cut version DVD is the ultimate home video rendition of this classic. For the first time one can hear this movie in the full glory of DTS sound, which is far superior to the old Dolby Digital version. The digitally restored video is crystal clear, as if the film were released yesterday. The added scenes do not really change the film that much, in my opinion. The one big scene that comes to mind is Ripley's discovery of the cocooned Dallas, which really does remind the viewer of the similar scene in 'Aliens', where she comes upon the Queen's chamber amid a mass of unhatched eggs (in hindsight it seems as if James Cameron lifted the scene lock stock and barrel), then burns everything with a similar flamethrower.
All in all, this edition takes what is already a classic, and makes it shine that much brighter. The sound and video updates and the extra features really enhance a great film!