10 Things You Learn Rewatching Alien

Ridley Scott's indelible sci-fi masterpiece Alien turns 40 this year, and to celebrate, the film returned to UK cinemas this past week in all of its newly remastered 4K glory.

Needless to say, Alien is a largely timeless cinematic experience and one of the most enduring and influential sci-fi films ever made.

There's never a bad time to revisit Scott's eerie classic, and almost 40 years removed from its May 25, 1979 world premiere, it's astonishing just how well it continues to age.

Alien truly is one of those movies which rewards patient attention, and it's very much a film which allows the audience to pick out new details every time they watch it.

10. The New 4K Restoration Looks FANTASTIC...

If the allure of seeing Alien on a huge cinema screen wasn't compelling enough, this re-release was also printed from a 4K restoration recently completed for the upcoming 4K Blu-ray due for release in late April.

And though Alien has always been a gorgeous film, this remaster clearly isn't some quick spit-shine rush-job for easy money. Simply, Alien has never looked this crisp and dynamic.

The uptick in detail is almost immediately noticeable, lending greater detail to the corridors of the Nostromo in particular, while the intentionally muted colour range nevertheless pops a little more (while the upcoming Blu-ray will also include HDR support).

The more precise visuals only enhance the stark atmosphere and, naturally, the intensity of the horror.

If you're a purist when it comes to visuals, this new version of Alien is the best it's ever looked, and avoids the pitfalls of other 4K movie remasters (namely removing grain, which can create an offputting "waxy" effect on actors' faces).