A video game sensation

Rating: 7/10 (31 May 2008)

Like most of the sequels, Aliens can't compete with its renowned predecessor (certainly in field of tension). The characters are extremely superficial (practically caricatures), the acting is average, the dialogues are mindless and the storyline is rather poor. Yet in its genre, Aliens really is one of the most enjoyable and action-packed sci-fi flicks of all time. The second part of the movie in particular feels like a satisfying shoot'em up video game passing in front of your eyes. What makes the action a little different is the threatening atmosphere and the gloomy buildings in which the battle takes place. The deserted buildings, the barricades, the daily objects and food still lying where they were left, ... It all points to terrifying preceding events that we can only try to imagine. The fact that we didn't see what actually went on makes it so intriguing, a feature that also made the resident-evil games great. Furthermore, the small group of protagonists,the traitor/villain, the enemies that go down by the bunch and the final battle with the "big boss" all add to the video game sensation. So if you want to calm your nerves after a long day of work by playing some violent video game, but don't have the courage to pick up your controller, or if you just want some mindless action, go and give this movie a try.