If you could only have one Alien franchise movie...

For me it's definitely between Alien and Aliens as they are perfect films and are both equally good. I love how Alien is more of a sci-fi/horror while Aliens is more sci-fi/action. I slightly like Alien more than Aliens. In Aliens I love Bishop, Hudson, Hicks, and Vasquez. They are great characters and together they strengthen the film. But I personally like Brett and Parker from Alien the best. Ripley is a better character in Aliens but the Xenomorph is more creepy and ominous in Alien. Both films are better than each other in different areas. But I would probably pick Alien personally. 

My first instinct was to say Alien 3 but stuck on a desert alone with just that nihilistic, dark, depressing film.....you'd probably be giving up hope before rescue even left the harbour. 

I think you'd want a film with a complete package. Some suspension, some action, some heroes and villains, maybe a few one liners to keep your morale up on the island lol....Yep Aliens it is :-)

Well Aliens...but since were talking original theatrical release then I'd say Alien(btw Iraptus is your avatar WolfCreek?)

ninXeno426 sure is! And I met John Jarrett yesterday XD

I was pretty stoked!

If I am forever alone in the desert, I will take ALIENS. I need companies and more uplifting atmosphere.

i think a number of movies have their merits....

i liked Prometheus as it opened up the Franchise, but then i guess if we had to chose a movie as far as a what if the others never existed. Then Prometheus would be a tricky one due to its ambiguity and flaws..  But would present a nice Opening Movie to be explored with Sequels...  It however leads to it needing a Sequel/Prequel.

Aliens is a good Action flick, but again seen as it is a sequel, it would not fit well as being a stand alone flick.... partially due to what would be a mystery as far as what happened to Ripley... prior to Aliens.

And so my Choice has to be the Original ALIEN

A Masterpiece, that loosely left it open for a sequel, and also had that Mystery about the Space Jockey and the Cargo/Xeno Origins... that again seemed to be a great Enigma being kept a Mystery all this time.

So Alien on its own could easily stand as a Stand Alone Movie, that needed No Sequel or Prequel and so if there had to be only ONE, then it has to be ALIEN... hands down.

Prometheus.

Cool space monsters...excellent effects. Not a point in the movie where I'm 'drawn out'. Reminds of some 70's ancient aliens flick.

...Prometheus. It's tough NOT to choose Alien (favorite movie of all time!), but I feel like I would want something less contained and straight horror. It does make me think, but Prometheus is the one for a desserted island. 

Prometheus. Captain Janek's move at the end with the surface changing below and the ruins on LV-223 were amazing. 

Alien Covenant, as its social intelligence is far beyond the other movies, and its themes are the best. Android revolution being tied to the xenomorph is just too genius, and the link between David, and Upworth and Ricks is also too precious

In hindsight, Alien Covenant renders Alien, Aliens and Alien 3 as shallow experiences. Alien 3 comes off the least hurt, as it at least deals in real humanity as opposed to Aliens. Aliens turns Ripley into a villain, and a capitalist oppressor. 

Alien Covenant is easily the movie of the franchise that I'd pick

I'd have to say the original Alien.  I just wish I could watch it for the first time over and over and over again.  Prometheus comes in second.  I'd choose Prometheus first, but it is not a perfect movie in my opinion.  It's a great movie, yet there are just some minor flaws.  Alien is more flawless.  I love the quite in the original Alien movie and the characters.  Plus, a great story and great twist.  It's also scary.

Prometheus.

Alien Covenant, because I can watch it over and over again. And because of its numerous dilemmas: is it Walter or David, did Weyland-Yutani had some knowledge of David's doings on planet 4, what did he do to Shaw, is planet 4 the home world of the engineers, why did they welcome the arrival of David's Juggernaut, did David really created the xenomorph,  and so on...