I don't remember the exact age but I was a little kid when I first saw the Alien and Predator films. Since the beginning I've always been a bigger fan of Predator but that's not to say Alien was bad, in fact in my opinion the original Alien film was amazing, a great film and classic. Also needless to say Aliens holds up just as well. Alien 3 and 4... I don't know, we all know the 4th one couldn't reeeeaaaally have been much worse, it had some cool things like showing how the Aliens would kill one another to escape, they'd rather not seeing as how they just want to survive but when there are no other options they will, and their skills as swimmers, but other than that most people like to forget Resurrection happened, and somewhat they do the same with 3 (which was originally supposed to be the last one anyway) as for me, basically when I show someone the Alien series I just show them 1 & 2, they can see the other 2 on their own time if they so choose.
When I first watched Alien, as I said, I was just a little kid, (Must say, it was that perfect age where most people would say I was too young to watch those movies but old enough to understand every word and emotion and sense of fear, perfect age for experiencing the Alien and Predator franchise) Yes it made me have something else to be afraid of as a kid and a little bit more jumpy for a while, but all and all I was more astounded than afraid. I loved the film, scared me to hell and back, primarily in the vents when it jumped out but I can't deny that the movie made me want more. Not saying the film was lacking, not at all, more in a sense that instead of making me not want to see it again or furthermore any sequels like it would most kids, it made me beg to watch the second, and like most I was definetly NOT dissapointed.
Did I fear the smallest of dark corners for a bit? Yeah, but who doesn't as a kid? You may notice some adults still have the same reactions. I feel anymore the AvP films and the video games are mainly to blame but the Aliens have been toned down. From a single Xenomorph getting loose striking fear into the hearts of many armed men, to now in gaming and (I must say all the way back in Aliens but... it was the 80's...) AvP films, they're too much like common video game enemies. In AvP2 on PC I guess it was still this way, but at least seeing one still made me a whole hell of a lot more afraid for my life than 20 at one time would in AvP 2010, grant it they have to make a game out of it. I mean in Aliens they just wanted the marines to seem more tough and like they had advanced in weaponry (especially with the smartgun) but they just seemed to shrug off the fact they had 25 Xenomorphs running at them when in the beginning of the film Ripley was building up the powers of a lone wolf. It turns me off a bit. Don't get me wrong, Aliens is an amazing film and sequel none the less, I just feel Aliens have become less threatening over the years and the Predator has been built up as the more powerful (not that I particularly have a problem with this...), yes I believe Aliens and Predators are perfect contrasts to each other but lets face it, there's always 4 billion Aliens in every game and movie, yet only one Predator.
Honestly I have to say I actually kind of like this fact, it fits, Aliens are the contrast, animalistic insects they work in numbers, Predators are elite hunters that take you out one at a time. It's neat, it truly is, so I'm really not complaining, it's just sort of like when I watch Alien anymore I always think to myself, "damn if this were a game I'd have this wrapped up in 20 minutes... f!ck the alien..." But back on topic, Alien was just a truly terrifying film, it was! Most Horrors (yes kind of back in the day but mainly today) is just Hack-n-slash or pathetic cheap scares, Alien seriously set the bar for truly terrifying Horror. I must say it's probably one of the top scariest films of all time, with little-to-no competitors. I personally am just a bigger fan of Predator obviously, for many reasons I'd love to explain but... this topic is specifically Alien, and I should respect that...