Memory: The Origins of Alien

Loved the movie. And was loving this. Until ... the ridiculous white tower crowd over interpret the film into "fantasies of male pregnancy, rape", rage against the patriarchy, blah, blah, blah. God, people, STOP INTERPRETING the film to suit your agenda/platform. What dreck. You might want to verify your interpretations with Ridley Scott. My bet - he was just trying to make a good movie and perhaps a new genre. Completely ruined the middle of this reasonably good documentary.

So. This is a documentary about the origins and making of the first Alien movie. I am a fan of the the movie and the movies that followed not counting the last two stupid ones that Sigourny Weaver was in. Overall it was a good little documentary BUT... It starts getting in the weeds when they start getting into a gender studies class and a whole lot of other nonsense. At that point it reminds me of some of the art history classes I have taken . I once had an Art History Professor that was kind enough to impart some actual knowledge upon us. I was reminded of this knowledge while watching this documentary. This professor basically told us that in the art world an artist can sit down and tell people all day what their piece art is, what it means, what inspired it, etc etc, but the truth in the art world is whatever art critics think it is, represents, and what inspired it. Those two things can be widely different. I feel that is the case with this documentary. They take a really good horror/sci fi movie, after it is 40 years old, and describe it as some giant philosophical humanities project. I don't buy it all, but whatever!

I always liked Alien, especially the first film, and now I know why. There are so many mythical, psychological and sociological references, that so far passed unnoticed by me, which I can now clearly recognize in the film.

I actually think this is a really good documentary, a great insight into how the story was developed, how Giger was fired and rehired, great background and insight relevant to any Aliens geek need for info, like myself, I'm not sure I agree with all the opinions around the hour point, but rather than dismissing it out of hand it's an interesting talking point.

Another reviewer mentions " most of it comes through the lens of mentality and the myths of patriarchy, female oppression and such nonsense" however it's worth baring in mind that to have a female lead in a big budget horror movie that didn't just bare her breasts was unheard of at the time, so not so much a "myth" of patriarchy but "fact" of patriarchy and female oppression.

Yes the movie is viewed through the eyes on the #metoo movement and how far we have come since this movie was created, as a social conversation, which despite not appealing to all, doesn't mean it should be ignored.

Focusing more on the myths, sources & events that ultimately led Dan O'Bannon to script one of the greatest & scariest films of all time than the filmmaking craft & magic that played as pivotal a role as any in its success, Memory: The Origins of Alien ably explores the ideas & inspirations behind the quintessential sci-fi horror classic but it isn't as compelling as I hoped it would be.

Although it finely details O'Bannon's own fascination with Lovecraftian elements, H.R. Giger's extraordinary works that provided a tangible shape to his vision, the iconic chestburster scene, and also contemplates on the symbiotic collaboration between O'Bannon, Giger & Ridley Scott, you are certain to find a more gripping, informative & entertaining material in the supplements section of home releases of Alien than what this documentary has to offer.