Taught, relentless

Rating: 7/10 (15 September 2007)

James Cameron, the action director of the 80's (and now the 90's), has done it again with this sequel to the very suspenseful 1979 film. Its action sequences are unparalleled (apart from "The Terminator" films) all being, as per vintage Cameron, excellently choreographed.
This new directors cut does give depth to the characters of 'Ripley'(Sigourney Weaver) and 'Newt'(Carrie Henn), but it makes the film too long. All the added footage is unnecessary, as "Aliens" is essentially an action film, and it is in this mode that it works best. For mine, stick with the original version.
The whole cast is very convincing, the special effects (especially 'Alien' effects) are top notch and James Horner's music works very well. A taught, relentless actioner that never lets up once it finds top gear. Great stuff.
NB This is the special re-edited version from James Cameron, running at 154 minutes rather than 137 minutes.
Sunday, June 7, 1992 - Video
Cameron's fantastic actioner is marred only by over-length. The special edition, with an extra seventeen minutes of unnecessary footage, only makes things worse. "Aliens" is for too long at 154 minutes.
Still, when it is at full throttle, it is a great action film. Don't see it too often though. Or do some serious editing of your own if you do.
Tuesday, September 29, 1992 - Video
From ultimate suspense to ultimate action. The very astute James Cameron saw a great actioner in this sequel to Scott's '79 suspenser. In his wisdom, he made a very different film.
"Aliens" is a romp that sees Ripley become one of the greatest big screen heroes ever. Sigourney Weaver is tops again, and is backed up by a bad cast of marines including Bill Paxton, Michael Biehn and Jeanette Goldstein. Paul Reiser and Carrie Henn also star. James Horner provides a top military score. Sound and visual effects are awesome.
Top marks to Cameron and producer Gale Ann Hurd for bringing us some of the best action sequences ever. A superb exercise in excess.
Saturday, January 30, 1999 - Video