Aliens (Two Disc Special Edition) [DVD] [1986]

"Hudson be cool!" snaps Vasquez. No chance, because Hudson must have seen the first film and he KNOWS whats coming. That's right, Ripley and the Aliens are back in an all-out action sequel that takes a new perspective on the 'Alien' Saga. The direction, screenplay and music all travel at light speed and the end result is simply astounding. Instead of one man in a suit, there are hundreds, thousands and it's gonna take a lot more than a cattle prod to sort this mess out.In the first film, a good 40 minutes of build up goes by before the alien strikes. Here, it takes just as long (longer in this version). The difference? The first's build-up made me look at my watch a few times and sigh. Here, I looked at my watch and it was suddenly an hour later! This movie is so fast-paced, eerie and has a great follow up story to the original. In this Director's Cut, the extra footage ranges from the slight (extra seconds of footage looking for colonists) to entire sub-plots (Ripley recovering from losing her "life" and daughter after 57 years hypersleep). I think the best touch is a first-name-sharing moment towards the end between Hicks and Ripley, which really shows what we've thought all along about their relationship. But don't get this alone, wait for the Quadrilogy in December!

James Cameron made his second masterpiece with this, the sequel to Ridley Scott's classic space horror show. Cameron, a director who will always ensure he gets exactly what he wants, extremely talented and ingenious, brought the series in a new direction, keeping much of the tension of the original, but upping the excitement and action.

After Ripley went into hyper-sleep at the end of Alien, hoping that someone would find her floating through space and pick her up, she travelled for over 50 years before being picked up by 'The Company'. She wakes up and tries to come to terms with all that has happened since she was asleep-her daughter grew up and died, 'The Company' has become more interested in the alien she claims to have encountered, and the planet where she found the alien has become a mining colony. During interrogation she tells the suits what happened to her, and expressed the need for someone to investigate the 'alien' planet. They charge her with the destruction of her previous ship. However, when they receive a distress call from the planet, a group of marines is ordered to investigate. Burke, a company Rep persuades Ripley to come along as she is the only one to have encountered an alien, and because her recurring nightmares are stopping her from living her life. We are introduced to each marine, all tough, hardened fighters, seemingly well-equipped for any danger.
Aliens must surely rank as one of the most exciting movies ever made. At well over 2 hours it is a testament to Cameron, the script-writers and the cast that the pace of the film never slows. Every time the characters think they may have a chance, something happens to make them think otherwise. Everything is giving the most acute detail, from the marines' garb, to the miniature sets and craft designs. The score is militaristic, keeping with the charge and feel of the movie, and the action is very strong and brilliantly edited. The aliens themselves are still terrifying, and The Queen is awesome. The famous power-loader fight scene is excellent, just one of the many highlights. The planet itself is grim and dark, the perfect place for the creatures to be, and the darkness and tight corridors of the colony add to the tension, atmosphere and claustrophobia.

There is a wide range of characters here, each distinct much like the first film. Even if we do not get to see them for very long, we are given a strong impression of their backgrounds because of their own personal dress and dialogue. Every performance is worthy of mention too, and Weaver's performance was definitely worthy of the Oscar. Ripley progresses here, becoming one of the strongest female characters in movie history, learning and adapting with the Marines, but retaining her maternal instincts and disgust for the company. In fact, the fight and chase involving the Queen, Ripley and Newt is almost like custody battle, a fight to see who is the best mother. Burke begins seeming friendly, but of course his interest is in bringing back a specimen. Bishop is a brilliant inclusion remembering Ripley's last encounter with a Droid. Hicks, played by Biehn is an excellent character, strong marine but not an emotionless, stupid grunt. Paxton steals many scenes as Hudson, spitting out some of the film's best dialogue, at times tough and terrified. Henn as Newt is a revelation in her first performance, dealing with the script and content perfectly. Vasquez must go down as one of the best cult action characters, equally as strong as any of the men, even if she has a short fuse. Goldstein is very good in the role. Apone as the 'Sarg' is also good, and Gorman begins as a fool but redeems himself later. The rest of the cast are all good, even if most are only their to be killed. With such a good cast, Aliens becomes even better.

This film cannot be praised enough. Although there are those who feel it is inferior to the first because it has more action and supposedly weaker characterisation, it has to be said that the two films are different entities, the first a horror, the second a sci-fi action. Like The Terminator, Cameron puts in many effective scares so that it transcends the genre, becoming something more. Cameron says he wants to return to Sci-Fi. Please make one as good as this.

This Double discer has everything an Alien fan would want and the presentation is perfect. Essential

This DVD set is an essential purchase for any Aliens / sci-fi fan. All four films are worth watching although they have very different styles having been directed by different people.
Alien, the original story, is full of menace and really manages to pump up the tension. The crew of Nostromo are woken to answer what they think is a distress call only to have crewman Kane (John Hurt) become an incubator for a previously unknown alien...what follows is cinematic history. Sigourney Weaver made her debut as Ripley, only survivor of the crew.
Aliens, the second film, is that rare beast, a follow up movie that is as good as the first. It is a much more 'gung ho' action film. Ripley very reluctantly agrees to return to the planet of her nightmares after contact has been lost with the colonists who are terraforming the world. Accompanying her is a motley bunch of marines as well as a company representative and, much to her disgust, an android. This time there is not just one alien to worry about.
At first glance Alien 3 doesn't seem as good as the previous two movies but certainly improves on a second viewing. Alien 3 is set on a penal colony world where Ripley's ship has crashed. She is the only female on a world full of the most dangerous, evil dregs of society. The only support she finds is from the colony's doctor (Charles Dance). When it becomes apparent that, yet again, the Alien has survived, Ripley has to convince, and then work with the prisoners in order to try and finally destroy her nemesis.
Alien Resurrection is set a couple of hundred years after the third film. Ripley has been cloned in order for the US military to try and extract knowledge of the Alien from her. Never ones to learn a lesson, they think they can use the Aliens as weapons. 'Resurrection' has plenty of tension and fear to offer but also explores a more emotional theme, exploring Ripley's relationship with the aliens. This is probably the weakest of the quadrilogy although for die-hard fans of Aliens and Ripley there is enough to keep the interest going.
The first two discs have a wealth of extras that add hours of fun. There are also some hidden extras. Discs 3 and 4 are very weak on their special features. All movies have the quality of sound and vision you would expect from this format.
All in all a very good set that is well owning.