Jon Monsarrat review: safe if you hate "horror", it's really "action"

Rating: 10/10 (13 April 2002)

"Aliens" is not a horror film. I know, I know, the original "Alien" was a famous horror film. And there's plenty of scary stuff in Aliens, but there's surprisingly little blood (it all happens off-screen) and the look & feel of the movie is really sci-fi action.
Made by can't-fail director James Cameron ("Terminator 2"), Aliens has not aged a day (I've seen it recently) and is a total trip worth watching over and over. If you liked "The Matrix", aliens is just as good and no scarier.
I'm not arty at all -- I lack the refinement to appreciate the
costuming or the score if the movie is terrible. But I do appreciate an intelligent film that doesn't insult my brain. In "Aliens", there are real characters who do things that make sense. The plotting is tight, and there's plenty of action. Even the cast of a dozen marines (too many for truly deep characterization) have a surprising amount of individuality. And there's some fine acting.
The movie doesn't really have "something to say that changed my life" (such as "Contact") but there are a ton of interesting, deep issues as well, which is something that characterizes other Cameron films, "Terminator" and "Terminator 2".
Who should see this film:
-- Action movie buffs: a must-see. What, you haven't already rented this? Go get it now! Might be a touch too scary for your non-action loving spouse but try it anyway.
-- Sci-fi buffs: a must-see, but the film is not for young kids
-- I'm guessing here (not being an arty guy) but drama / arty types might also like it. The cinematography, acting, deep issues are all good.
I'll give "Aliens" a well-deserved 10 out of 10.