"Get away from here you BITCH!!!"

Rating: 9/10 (18 January 2002)

Well, what can you say that's not been said about this film?!

This film, along with T2 is the best action blockbuster ever and critically acclaimed as one of the best sequels ever!
With a budget that could have fed a small country, James Cameron invites us to join Ripley as she returns to the desolate planet where her crew were, as an outcome, slaughtered one by one by an Alien. E.T. this is NOT!!
The film opens up pretty well, with Weaver showing her strength immediately, but the film only really begins when Ripley, the Marines, and Burk (dick!) hit the planet! Once we're there, we're in the thick of it.
This is probably the most atmospheric film I have ever seen, The Blair Witch Project comes a close 2nd! Cameron knows how to build suspense and keep us on the edge of our seats, until he's ready to let us relax, and there isn't much relaxation time on the Aliens' planet.
The use of the Mrines' camera's is what really builds tension - we can't really see anything, and we get scared, very scared.
Scripted by Cameron? surely not? Where's the cheese? There's not much here, it's one of his earliest film's so he had to play it cool and deliver the goods, and he does so, oh believe me he does. He has managed to write a very good storyline here which is both horrific and comic. Ah, those were the days eh Cameron?
The SFX are outstanding, looking a little bit dated now, but still amazing anyway.
The Aliens? well, they just scare me witless!! The combination of drool, slime, and ooze, and a little bit of acid, (their blood! not the drug!) makes me shiver!!!
After seeing the 'Aliens Special Edition' which has restored footage, I still prefer the original cut. We are given an insight into Ripley's life back on Earth before the first film - she had a daughter, and she died. This then evokes pure emotional response to her overprotection of little Newt. (and why she feels close to that 'creature' in Resurrection!)
Ripley is a warm and loving woman, but don't dare mess with her, she has a sharp tongue!! witty, intelligent, and god damn sexy, Ripley in this sequel furthered the interest for parts of Heroines in films. Usually the hero of the movie would have huge biceps and big guns, here we have a very slim woman, she doesn't really want to be where she is, with a few guns and explosives, yet she brings the house down! What a woman. Who needs the Spice Girls??!!!
The final climactic battle between the Queen and Ripley is probably the best one-on-one ever in the history of film! It is electrifying. Ripley only ever gets a chance at this due to the fact that she is kitted out in a suit of armour! This machine does it's job, aided by Ripley's precise movements and skill at controlling it, she manages to overcome the Queen.
I could go on and on and on - but I WON'T!!
Just watch this film. Both versions if you like. Watch the cinema cut first though, and then watch the Director's cut/special edition.
Great plot, acting, SFX, direction, cast, explosions.
GREAT FILM!!!
9/10