Review of Aliens (1986) by Jerry P — 10 Nov 2013

"You can't top something that's already perfect".

Well, this movie not only did top it, but also surpassed perfect.

Aliens is the prime example of best sequel ever along with The Dark Knight and Terminator 2 (also from Cameron). Ridley Scott's "Alien" was a perfect and apparently un-matchable terrifying experience; once I watched it, it quickly entered in my favorite movies of all time list. It was certainly thrilling and atmospheric, if not perfect, and once finished, it seems the sequel might only be able to equal the greatness. But as a matter fact, it way surpassed "Alien" in every aspect and also on it's own expectations.

All of what's good from the first is perfectioned here and creates more percect stuff from the hand of James Cameron. A great classic that stands as one of my favorite movies of all time and transformed Sigourney Weaver into a kick-ass female character and one of my favorite protagonists. To be a 100% honest, I know there's also Space Odyssey and other perfectionist movies, but no other movie has engaged me like Aliens did. The atmosphere, the special effects, the advanced cinematography, the epic and thrilling action-packed score by James Horner, the strong performances, the progression of the story, the epic climax, all ultimately delivers what I call a perfect experience. Sure, perfect doesn't exist, but Aliens is very close to make it so.

Set 57 Years after the events of the first Alien, Ripley is rescued from stasis in the remaining shuttle from the space ship Nostromo, by The Weyland-Yutani Corporation, the company were she worked. Due to lack of evidence and the destruction of the Nostromo, Ripley's story about the Alien they encountered is quickly recieved with much skepticism and as negatively as Manos: The Hands of Fate and most of Hollywood remakes by critics and audiences (nailed it!). Ripley's space-flight license is revoked and she works as a cargo loader. Contact with the now habitated LV-426 colony (colonized after no Alien race was found what's so ever)is lost, so the Colonial Marines are sent to an investigation mission, while also taking Ripley with them, as there exist the possibility of an Alien attack. After discovering that there are tons of Aliens, Ripley will have to learn that the only way to end with her nightmares are battling them.

The plot suggest tons of action, and it certainly delivers some of the best action sequences ever shot. However it still contains the tension and build-up from the first Alien, so it's more like a huge update. Also, there's little quantity of movies that can scare and deliver some good action, while also being overall well done. But Aliens is not only well done, it's mostly perfectly made ("mostly" because there's not such thing as perfect). First of all, there's a lot to admire and enjoy in this movie: the scenarios are awesome, they never feel like a park ride, you can feel you are there. Second, the Aliens are barely seen, but whenever they're on screen, they're awesome. Specially The Alien Queen, she's one of the best special effects in movie history. Third, of course, the awesome acting. Sigourney gives her all and ends transforming Ellen Ripley in one of the greatest characters in cinema. The rest is also great: Michael Beihn (Kyle Reese in The Terminator), Lance Henriksen, the crew of the Sulaco, etc. But a speacial mention to Carrie Henn as Newt, she is one of the most credible child actors and her character has a lot of strenght in the story. Oddly enough, she never appeared again in another movie since. But I guess it's because she knew that any other movie will be inferior. Fourth, the amazing score by James Horner. Fifth, the direction by Cameron (i think this is his best work). And last but not least, the awesome climax. I won't give away too much, i'm just gonna say it's awesome.

This is easly the best movie I have ever seen and i'm sure it may stay like that till' I die. It's hard to think that something as perfect as Ridley Scott's Alien could ever be surpassed, but James Cameron make it happen, transforming nearly perfect to definitive the closest to perfect as a movie comes. Aliens simply gave me an even more learner and grateful experience than Ridley Scott's original movie, an experience I thought could never be matched. Maybe you're thinkin' i'm way over-glanced by this movie, but time has passed since I watched this and i'm still convinced this is the most perfectionist movie I have seen, and thus, my favorite of all time. Sure you HAVE to watch this if you call yourself a critic or movie-goer. Aliens is for me the best movie ever, but if not for the rest, it can still be one of the best ever made along with The Godfather, Shawnsak Redemption, etc. Cameron, you have made a milestone in cinema forever.

Gotta love those Aliens. The bad thing here? What came after it: Alien3 (huh...) and Alien Resurrection (really average).