Alien 20th Anniversary Edition
20th Century Fox / 1979 / 112 Mins / Rated M15+

MOVIE
This is the one that started it all, the Ridley Scott classic. I can still remember seeing this one for the first time on an old worn out VHS copy years ago and all these years later the impact has not changed. The story to most of you is not new but for those coming in late......

The story revolves around a crew of seven people on a cargo ship heading back to Earth, part way through the journey they receive a distress signal from a barren planet. 

Two members from the crew Dallas (Tom Skerritt) & Kane (John Hurt) go out searching a crashed space ship, Kane comes back with a life form on his face which unknowingly to the crew is implanting an egg into his stomach. Time passes and the animal dies and things seem to get back to normal, that is until dinner that night when Kane suddenly begins to choke and the rest is cinema history with the birth of one of the most scary cinema icons ever.

The alien begins to grow and slowly kills off one by one the main characters and it's up to Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) to stop it!

VIDEO
Stunning is one word that come to mind. This movie looks like it was only made in the last couple of years. The transfer is very sharp and refreshing, it's a delight to see the movie this way. Shadow detail was spot on and the colors were well rendered. No MPEG artifacts were visible and there was very little grain from the original master.

Alien is framed at 2:35:1 and is 16:9 enhanced.

This is a single sided, dual layer disc the layer change occurs at 60:54

AUDIO
Alien has been remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround and for the whole is a pretty worthwhile experience. The surrounds are not used very frequently but when they are it is very atmospheric.

There is also a track with an isolated music score and an alternate effects soundtrack and an audio commentary. 

Dialog was easy to hear.
EXTRAS
A great selection of extras are on this disc.

2 Theatrical Trailers: 2 theatrical trailers are on this disc in Dolby 2.0 sound.

2 TV Spots: 2 standard TV spots in Dolby 2.0.

Audio Commentary: An absolutely outstanding commentary track on show here, lots of cool info about the movie.

10 Deleted Scenes: Includes the famous cocoon scene.

Photo Gallery: A great selection of images from the movie are on show.

Outtakes: Again 2 more deleted scenes. 

Isolated Music Score:  A standard music score encoded in Dolby 2.0.

THX Trailer: Like it says.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is a wonderful disc. Great movie, great transfer, excellent extras. Get it now!
16:9 ENHANCEMENT DISC RATING

VIDEO:
AUDIO:
EXTRAS:
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REVIEW EQUIPMENT
Display: 48" Sony RPTV.
DVD Player: Panasonic A350 Player using S-Video Cables.
Receiver: Pioneer VSX-D508 Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.
Speakers: Accusound speaker system.

Copyright © 2000 by [Roger Ward].
Revised: 31 May 2000 22:22:16 +1100 .

DVD INFORMATION
Region Coding: Region 4
No of Discs: 1
OFLC Rating M15+
Running Time: 112 minutes
Case Type: Clear Amaray
Release Date: 25/5/2000
Catalog Number: 1090SDW
List Price: $39.95
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
DISC SPECIFICATIONS
Disc Format: PAL
Disc Type: Picture Disc
Disc Format: SS-RSDL
Chapters: 20
Macrovision: Yes
Manufacturer: WAMO
VIDEO SPECIFICATIONS
Aspect Ratio: 2:35:1
Anamorphic: Yes
Film Format: 35mm
SOUND SPECIFICATIONS
Dolby Digital:

5.1 Surround
2.0 Surround
DTS: None
PCM Stereo: None
Other: None
Languages: English
Subtitles: Yes
SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio Commentary: Yes
Theatrical Trailer: Yes
Teaser Trailer: Yes
TV Spots: Yes
Dolby Trailer: None
Documentary: Yes
Cast & Crew Bios: None
Deleted Scenes: Yes
Music Videos: None
DVD Rom Content: None
Collectable Booklet: None
Scene Access: Yes
Animated Menus: Yes
Production Notes: None
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INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE INFO
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