The perfect action movie

Rating: 10/10 (22 May 2003)

Alien set a new standard in movie making, and to follow it up was always going to be a near-impossible task (see Alien3 and Alien Resurrection for proof). But rather than try to replicate Alien's creepy intensity and heavy Freudian subtext, James Cameron sensibly opted for an all-out action flick instead.
The result is not only Cameron's finest film, but also one of the greatest action films ever made. The original (as opposed to the director's cut) builds the suspense brilliantly and despite the increased number of creatures, they are not shown in too much detail until the final quarter of the film, which helps preserve their mystery and therefore the fear which they inspire. There are strong performances (notably from Weaver, Biehn and Paxton), and the special effects still look great today. The eminently quotable script is pretty much word perfect, with the exception of some of Newt's scenes with Ripley which at times are a little cheesy.
But this is a minor niggle in an otherwise awe-inspiring film. The wealth of comic books, computer games and toys which it spawned confirm both its cult status and its broader appeal.
Worth noting: the director's cut is strictly one for the fans - the extra scenes are interesting but would ruin the suspense for a first-time viewer.