Good sequel, basically American Marines vs the Aliens

Rating: 8/10 (13 March 2001)

Another of my favourite movies
Not as intelligent as the original which relied more heavily on the mood and story to create tension. This is less subtle, more of an in your face, American Marines to the rescue movie with all the American Army mumbo jumbo. Its not terrifying like the original was, rather a "Ra Ra go get em Marines" movie. Not quite as much attention to detail though, why have hand weapons not advanced at all? Lets face it, if mankind can install a huge nuclear plant that re-creates atmosphere on a remote planet, they must have come up with a newer model assualt rifle by then.
However, its still a great movie as long as you adapt to the fact that its basically an American war movie where the other side isnt the Germans or the Russians, but the ALIENS.
Few cliches: The young inexperienced officer screws up the operation, but Ripley and the vetran corporal save the day. Ripley challenging the queen to hand to hand combat, the corporate executive who no morals at all and will do anything for money and power (cardboard cut-outs?) etc
Some thought still went into detail though which saves the movie for me. The Marines' transport and attack vehicles are believeable. My favourite scene is the combat "drop" from the orbiting transport ship. The efficient woman pilot, terrified young officer and sleeping veteran etc really feels right, plus the logic works that would be a beliveable way for a combat unit to get down from an orbiting ship to the planet surface.
A good movie, especially for a sequel, but with a little more imagination it could have been a GREAT movie.