Scene Standoff: Alien vs. The Empire Strikes Back
The moment where a chest-buster punches through John Hurt's stomach in 'Alien' vs. one of the biggest plot twists in movie history: "I am your Father" in Star Wars V.
If you've clicked on this wondering what's going on, then click on the link here to read the rules of the Scene Standoff: https://www.focusfilms.online/post/scene-standoff-lion-king-vs-grease
Chest buster - Alien
A relaxed Chinese meal is dramatically interrupted by a young Xenomorph bursting through the stomach of Kane (John Hurt). Instantly the rest of the team jump on top of him trying to help however they can, but the truth is, Kane is beyond help, as the confusedly named chest buster has already settled within his body.
- Gareth's scene
"I am your Father." - Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Darth Vader (James Earl Jones/David Prowse) are engaged in a lightsaber fight. They come out onto a platform that hovers above a very long drop below. Vader chops off Luke's arm, and when it seems that Luke has no choice but to convert to the dark side, Vader reveals the truth: "I am your Father."
- Ellis' scene
Ellis - italics
Gareth - bold
PERFORMANCE
The performance in Empire is a bit melodramatic.
If you were suited and booted to that extent, you would over emphasise your movements to get your point across.
Plus, I guess I should give Mark Hamill some credit, Luke has just lost his arm.
The cast in Alien are so good; and in this scene they're eating a Chinese. John Hurt's probably thinking 'this is making me feel a bit dodgy'.
What a way to go; love Chinese food.
The scene is well played by all and is realistic given the circumstances.
ALIEN - 9/10 EMPIRE - 6/10
NECESSITY
Without the "I am your father" line you wouldn't have the three prequels and three sequels. You may say that those prequels and sequels aren't necessary...
...but at the time as well that line would have been a huge moment.
The whole scene is great as well because it's the big fight between Luke and Vader.
The Alien scene is necessary because it ups the anti. But it's not quite as necessary as Empire.
ALIEN - 9/10 EMPIRE - 10/10
REFERENCABILITY
Empire is full marks. Everybody knows that quote and it's been referenced in pop culture a lot. Toy Story 2 springs to mind.
Eastenders springs to my mind: "You ain't my mother!"
Vader husks, "Yes I am!"
Kat Slater's arm's hanging off.
It's a real mess.
Not sure you can reference Alien that much in everyday life but it's been replicated in pop culture.
ALIEN - 6/10 EMPIRE - 10/10
POPULARITY (using Letterboxd for reference)
I'm interested to know the scores on this one.
Well Empire joins the top scoring team and gets a 4.4/5.
Alien is a 4.3.
Just misses out, so close!
ALIEN - 4.3 EMPIRE - 4.4
ICONIC RATING
On a scale of famous aliens.
Well, Empire needs to be the most famous alien. So I'm going with E.T.
For the chest buster scene, I'd probably go with the Na'Vi from Avatar. It's James Cameron I guess.
James Cameron has such an iconic filmography: Titanic, Aliens, Terminator.
It's weird to me that Avatar has held the top spot at the box office for so long.
I think it was the experience with that film though. It was huge in the world of 3D.
ALIEN - Na'Vi EMPIRE - E.T.
THE FINAL STANDOFF
Alien 1-4 Empire Strikes Back
So, in the final battle of Round 1, it's Star Wars that has prevailed. This scene in The Empire Strikes Back is truly one of the most iconic scenes of all time. As far as pop culture goes, it's unbelievably relevant still today and the scene/film has defined the modern day plot twist.
As great as Alien is, it's not quite on the same tier on the iconic scale as the "I am your Father" moment. But, with a wildcard option being added in the next round, perhaps this scene will make a comeback and knock out some of the smaller scenes.
With wildcards to be added, more scenes to be dropped, and only 20 making it through to the final, how will Empire fair against the other winners so far?
Final scores: Gareth - 11 Ellis - 16
So that is the end of Round 1. We may get shouted at...no WALL-E, no Inception, no Fight Club, no La La Land, and so on and so forth. But we believe the scenes that have been discussed are scenes that almost everybody has seen, even if they haven't watched the film. Thanks for reading along with us.
Below are all the scenes that have made it through to Round 2, which will be delivered in a Youtube format. Gareth and Ellis will be narrowing down the winning films into a final 20, so keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks...you don't want to miss it.
The Lion King
Big
Jurassic Park
Cast Away
Rocky
Sound of Music
The Wizard of Oz
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Toy Story
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
The Shining
Toy Story 3
Monty Python & The Holy Grail
Ghost
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Gladiator
Back to the Future
Reservoir Dogs
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Sixth Sense
Up
Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone
Forrest Gump
Die Hard
Psycho
The Silence of the Lambs
Pulp Fiction
When Harry met Sally
Dirty Dancing
Singin' in the Rain
Braveheart
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back available now on Disney+