"A masterwork in action filmmaking"

Rating: 10/10 (14 July 2017)

Aliens is directed by James Cameron and continues the story of Ridley Scott's Alien. The story begins with a salvage crew coming across Sigourney Weaver's character, still hibernating from the events of the first film. It has been decades since the events of the first film and we learn that a colony has settled on LV-426, the planet from which the creature from the first film originated. When they lose contact with this colony, they send a team of marines in to rescue them and convince Ellen Ripley to come along as she is the only one with any experience with the creatures. What ensues is a masterwork in action filmmaking.
James Cameron understood that characters still matter in an action movie, which is what sets Aliens apart from many other action films today. He could have easily just made a batch of alien- fodder so that we could see plenty of violence, but he decided to make marines that are set apart enough to make us care about and know who is being attacked by the creatures. Bill Paxton's memorable performance as a meat-headed marine shines in his ability to show how the brave facade fades in the face of danger. We see this early in the film when he jokingly asks another character to do the "knife trick," but when he realizes that he will be actively involved in said "trick," his confidence immediately fades. Paul Reiser also gives a great performance as a pushy corporate representative who convinces Ellen Ripley to join the mission. From the moment he says the line, "I'm an OK guy," we share in Ripley's experience of mistrusting his motives and his performance keeps us wondering.
Speaking of Ripley, Sigourney Weaver gives a phenomenal performance as the lead character again. She shows shows us how to tow a fine line between bravery and fear. This performance earned her a well deserved Oscar nod in 1987 for actress in a leading role. It still stands up a shining example of female lead in an action movie. One of my favorite moments showing bravery is when she and Carrie Hehn's character, Newt, are in a tense situation. Newt simply says, "I'm scared" and Ripley replies, "Me too." Admitting her fears helped to reinforce her strength in the face of that fear.
There is plenty to fear in this picture even though it is less of a horror film than its predecessor. Stan Winston's creature effects are still magnificent today, decades after the film's release. There definitely appears to be changes made from Ridley Scott's original in design, which isn't necessarily explained, but they are just as effective. The creatures have a perfect mix of natural and unnatural movements, to help make us feel uncomfortable any time they are on the screen.
Whereas this is an action movie at its core, the film still builds suspense well. The use of tension is not lost from the first film. Cameron includes moments in this film of silence and anticipation throughout all of the explosive action keep the audience perfectly and uncomfortably excited. James Horner's score and the soundscape all work subtly with the cinematography to build the dark and ominous landscape of LV-426.
The pace in this film remains steady and fast. The audience is rarely given time to rest or feel at ease, and if they are, you can bet it won't be for long. The film moves from one perilous situation to another until the very end. Even at the end, I almost felt as though I shouldn't feel at ease because I assumed something else was coming.
This movie is what a sequel should be. It takes what made the original a masterpiece, and expands upon it. James Cameron doesn't just make another thriller in space with excellent tension. He gives us the tension we love from it and adds wonderfully exciting action sequences. The story isn't a far-fetched reason to re-introduce these creatures, it is a fully considered and reasonable way to connect our lead character to the creatures again. In a world full of sequels and franchises, I wish more filmmakers would take cues from Aliens in how to continue a successful story.
Of course, there are times where the special effects show their age, but for a film made in the 80's, I never felt taken out of the experience. And that is what this movie is: an experience. Cameron expertly made me fell tense, excited, and the cast made me feel sympathetic toward the characters and the horrors they experience throughout the film. It may be a cliché, but they really don't make movies like this anymore. This film sets a standard for action films for which I wish more people would aim. For that reason, I give it a 10/10.