Flawless sequel delivers on every level! A perfect movie!

Rating: 10/10 (23 July 2011)

James Cameron has an uncanny knack for taking an initial idea and elaborating on it in order to produce an entirely new experience, gaining the appreciation of old fans and attracting new ones as he crafts highly ambitious blockbuster smash hits. 'Aliens' is probably one of the most incredible feats in action film history as well as perfect sequel to an already classic monument of science fiction/horror.
Sigourney Weaver returns as Ellen Ripley, the last survivor of the 'Nostromo' after defeating the dreaded 'Alien' and surviving a 57 year "hypersleep", she awakens only to be plagued by nightmares of the "chestburster" and discover her daughter is dead (a theme that was tragically omitted by 20th Century Fox, and is a pertinent backdrop for the human story). Ripley returns to the planet LV-246 with a group of highly trained space-marines (exposing some humorous Vietnam war clichés) to do battle with not one, but dozens of the horrifying creatures, featuring H.R. Giger's original design enhanced by the talents of animatronics extraordinaire, Stan Winston.
This is a brilliant film-making experience. James Cameron's attention to detail and grasp of technological improvisation is only matched by his ability to bring the best out in his cast of well-crafted characters. Among the highlights are: Bill Paxton as the false fronting chronic complainer, Lance Henrickson as the "kind" android, Bishop (the role that made him a genre icon), Michael Biehn as the quiet, heroic leader, Paul Reiser as the greedy company man (who contributes a suspenseful subplot involving sabotage and double-cross), Carrie Henn as a resourceful little girl, plus many more. Sigourney Weaver's Oscar nominated performance gains her notoriety as the first female action hero, especially in the unforgettable climax with the alien "queen", and the special effects will make the most skeptical viewers say, "How the hell did they do that?" Not enough words can describe this action packed, roller-coaster ride of a movie. Just when you think things couldn't get any worse for the doomed cast, another perilous pitfall is added to their plight, and it's all done at a brilliant pace and agonizingly tense coherency.
Hats off to those who restored this for the 2003 Director's Cut Special Edition! Cameron's essential 17 minutes of footage that was needlessly butchered brings depth and enlightenment to the plot, and newcomers to the hybrid sci-fi/horror/action genre will admire it for years to come. Its a definitive example of a tour de force of sight and sound at its very best.