Many people dismiss “Galaxy of Terror” (1981) as a copycat of “Alien,” and it’s true that the film borrows from other sources, too. The original "Planet of the Vampires," also called "Terror in Space" (1965), had elements that "Alien" seemed to take inspiration from. So originality isn't really its strong suit, though it is well-made and better than some similar films. It feels like a mix of “Planet of the Vampires,”…

It takes a considerable amount of time to get into this film; initially, I found myself wanting to skip ahead. However, after an extended setup phase involving introductions to the characters and plot, it develops into a reasonably enjoyable science fiction mystery. The narrative centers on a spaceship crew tasked with a rescue operation. Upon reaching their destination, they find that the previous occupants have bee…