Great Science Fiction Action

Rating: 8/10 (27 November 2011)

Aliens is a great follow up to Alien. Rather than blindly copying the original like most sequels, it actually carves out new territory, creating an entirely different story using the Ripley character. Whereas the original was essentially a space-based Gothic horror story, Aliens is a full blown 80s action movie, complete with bombastic soundtrack.
In Aliens, Ripley is picked up after 57 years floating in space. The Company initially disbelieves her story. However, when communication is lost with a colony on the planet where the alien ship was originally found, Ripley is sent out with a group of Space Marines to check it out.
The film is buoyed by several great performances. Sigourney Weaver once again does well as Ripley, lending the character strength that makes her survival convincing. She also establishes the bonding with Newt, Bill Paxton also gives a memorable performance as the loudmouthed Hudson. However, the real stand out of the cast is Lance Henriksen as the android Bishop. Initially set up as a villain similar to Ash from the first movie, he turns out to be a well rounded character.
As stated earlier, the film is more about action than horror. At times, the film succumbs to some of the problems of the action genre. At the end, Ripley's rampage through the Queen's nest, although it is cathartic for the audience, seems like a profoundly stupid move. Rather than escape largely unnoticed from the hive, Ripley chooses to enrage the largest, most dangerous alien, nearly getting herself and Newt killed. This is out of character, and seems to exist only to create a more thrilling climax.
Still, Aliens is a great film, and definitely worth buying.