As a lifelong fan of the Alien franchise, I’ve seen my share of spine-tingling moments and heart-wrenching deaths. But none have left an indelible mark quite like Kane’s gruesome demise in the original 1979 film. It was a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling, practical effects, and sheer terror. The way Scott built up the tension around that dinner table, only to have it shattered by the Xenomorph bursting from Kane’s chest, still gives me chills. I mean, who would’ve thought a facehugger could be so… intrusive?
Approaching the topic of Alien: Romulus now! Today, let’s explore and appreciate the top 10 most impressive kills from the Alien series. Be warned, these scenes can be quite gruesome, but they’ve truly showcased some incredible alien-related deaths over the years.
Runner-ups
Titled “Purvis – Alien: Resurgence (1997)”, this film is an unmissable pick for those who enjoy the over-the-top, sometimes even bordering on preposterous, realm of sci-fi entertainment. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, it offers a wild and eccentric take on the Alien franchise, though it falls short in terms of the artistic finesse displayed in its predecessors. Instead, it opts for more comedic, B-movie style antics, as opposed to intellectual depth. The film’s zaniness peaks when a character named Purvis utilizes a Chestburster in an assassination, a scene that leans heavily into the absurd and firmly places Resurgence within the realm of Sci-Fi films.
In terms of fitting ends, Carter Burke’s demise in James Cameron’s Aliens is undoubtedly the most suitable. After his deceitful and manipulative actions, leaving Facehuggers inside Ripley and Newt’s room to secure Xenomorph embryos for the company, his death (though not directly shown) is well-deserved. A deleted scene offers a different (yet equally satisfying) outcome for Burke. Given that he was solely responsible for the events in Aliens, it seems only fair that he faces the consequences.
Top 10 Alien Kills
10) In 2012’s film, Prometheus directed by Ridley Scott, we find a unique perspective on the Alien series storyline. This movie delves into profound themes such as human creation, religion, and AI risks. Yet, Scott doesn’t forget to include thrilling Xenomorph action scenes. None are more intense than the Engineer’s death at the claws of a giant sea creature that resembles a starfish. Despite its remarkable power, the Engineer is unable to free himself from this attacker and ultimately meets his end. Quite an unusual scenario!
In Alien: Covenant (2017), similar to Prometheus, the film explores profound themes, yet these themes remain somewhat fragmented. Ridley Scott mainly centers the story on David’s progression into a domineering machine with divine ambitions; however, he adds brief alien encounters to cater to thrill enthusiasts. At the beginning, there’s a character named Ledward who becomes host to an alien organism growing within his body, particularly in his back. Needless to say, the outcome is far from comforting.
8) Regarding Alien 3 (1992), despite its imperfections, it earns recognition for some daring, bold decisions made by director David Fincher. Notably, he eliminates characters like Newt and Hicks during the opening scene, contrasting with Ridley Scott’s original epic tone. Instead, Alien 3 becomes a somber narrative focusing on sacrifice. Remarkably, these early character deaths serve as an enticing preview of the horrors to come. At one stage, Ripley develops a bond with Doctor Clemens, even sharing intimacy. However, his gruesome end in the story is both startling and heartbreaking.
7) In contrast to Alien and its sequels, Vasquez and Gorman – Aliens (1986) doesn’t dwell on death. Characters die swiftly during battles or get lost in the confusion. Unfortunately, Hudson is pulled into the floor before anyone could throw him a grenade. Towards the end, during a dramatic escape, Vasquez gets hurt, causing Lt. Gorman to attend to her. Instead of facing a brutal attack, Gorman uses a grenade to eliminate several Xenos. He’s also responsible for Newt’s abduction, but we can set aside the specifics for now.
6) In the chilling scene from Alien (1979), Brett’s fate serves as our introduction to the colossal Xenomorph. A suspenseful sequence follows, where Brett is traced through the vacant corridors of the Nostromo spacecraft. The Xeno makes its grand entrance by stealthily emerging behind Brett, revealing its sharp teeth, and brutally dragging him through a ceiling hole. Several versions of this spine-tingling moment can be found online. I’ve always favored the original rendition – it’s downright terrifying!
5) Regarding Alien 3 (1990), I can’t accept it as part of the official storyline, but I must acknowledge that it provided Ripley with an emotional farewell. If given the choice, I would have preferred her to depart with Hicks and Newt on a happier note. However, witnessing her sacrifice by plunging into molten lava like Sarah Connor in Terminator 2 to prevent the corporation from obtaining a Queen, seems like a suitable ending for Ripley’s character.
4) Bishop – The Extraterrestrial (1986): While Bishop doesn’t literally perish, given the Queen disables him beyond repair by splitting him in two, we can make an exception here. The scene is simply breathtaking, serving as a powerful prelude to the climactic finale that flawlessly concludes Cameron’s magnum opus.
3) For the remainder of our discussion, we’ll be referring to “Alien” (1979), directed by Ridley Scott. This long-lasting series continues to deliver a staggering amount of terror and destruction. Among all these, none compare to the chilling scenes in the original horror film. The scene that has always left an impact on me is when characters Parker and Lambert meet their end. This moment doesn’t rely on graphic violence but instead relies on our imaginations. As Ripley makes her way to the escape pod, we hear Lambert’s terrifying screams over the intercom, echoing through the ship. It’s spine-tingling.
2) In the movie Dallas – Alien (1979), another spine-tingling moment occurs when Dallas chases the Xenomorph through the ventilation shafts. As he does, Lambert keeps tabs on his location, while composer Jerry Goldsmith intensifies the suspense with his melancholic music. However, things quickly turn grim when the Xeno catches Dallas off guard and manages to attack before he can retaliate. To this day, this chilling cinematic experience continues to give viewers goosebumps.
1) Among all events in the Alien franchise, none surpasses the grisly demise of Kane in 1979’s Alien. Its uniqueness lies in its setting – a dinner table laden with food, which adds to its revolting nature. The practical effects used by Scott, particularly the gore, are powerfully impactful, and the fear portrayed by the characters, especially Lambert, leaves an unsettling impression on viewers. This is where it all began; Alien remains a classic, and this scene featuring Kane’s death stands as its most memorable and chilling kill.
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2024-08-15 22:40