Outstanding sequel that replicates the glory of the first film

Rating: Null/10 (14 June 2005)

Whereas Alien focused more on suspense, in Aliens the emphasis is on all out action and firepower. It doesn't disappoint! James Cameron directed the film, just two years after the success of Terminator and he was still clearly on top form back in 1986, long before the days of Titanic tarnished his legacy. The basic plot concerns the shady dealings of a big corporation which seeks to exploit the Aliens for financial reward, their value being high to the military. Sigourney Weaver returns as Ripley to advise on how to deal with the monsters, but quickly becomes indispensable to the army that is sent in to deal with the creatures. Large amounts of firepower are released, but casualties are high and the mission quickly becomes an escape attempt. Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen, two of the most underrated action stars around, add a good deal to the film along the way. There are massive numbers of aliens in this sequel, in contrast to the single deadly killer of film one. A longer film than Alien, it nevertheless doesn't waste a second and the Director's Cut has some nice added scenes as well. The conclusion is brilliant, Sigourney going all guns blazing to rescue the kid from the clutches of the queen alien! Cue loads of machine gun action! As far as action films go, this is pretty much perfect.