Saying this is brilliant is an understatement.

Rating: 8/10 (11 January 2005)

Sequels don't come better than this. Aliens has all the makings of a classic sci-fi film - plenty of action, suspense, and excellent special effects thats makes it a must.
This is one of those classic films, made in the eighties were you feel everyone except you have watched it. I felt the same at once. But now I know why people went to see it. James Cameron does an excellent job in continuing the Alien saga, from 1979. In this fine instalment, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) has now escaped from the disaster back in the first film, and luckily, her escape pod docks with a large space centre, where she is saved. Marines want to (Spoiler) go back to the planet LV-426, not knowing that it is infested with deadly Aliens. A small colony of people living on this planet lose contact with Ellen's new friends, and the Marines have an excuse to check the planet out, with Ripley accompanying them. The Marines don't realise the battle that awaits them....
Stan Winston, the special effects creator of other hits like Terminators 1 and 2, does a stunning job to make the Aliens look real in this film. He combines animotronics with puppets and other effects to deliver an exceptionally real film, which backs the debate that using puppets and animotronics is far better than CGI (computer generated images). The most impressive use of puppets is the 'mother alien' as seen towards the end of the film, which is very realistic
The acting is also up to scratch. Weaver plays a good part, still playing her heroic role, whilst at the same time, being a caring guardian to the character 'Newt', a little girl who is a survivor of the disappearing colonies. Bil Paxton, also seen in the mixed reviewed Titanic, plays a good character, being a slightly eccentric soldier of the Marines. As ever, he plays a good role. Three characters from the Terminator saga are also included in this film - Micheal Biehn teams up with Sigourney Weaver in parts, and we get hints that they love each other, but its not to be. Lance Henriksen plays a good android who (Spoiler) is an improved model from the one on Ripleys ship in the first film. And finally, Jenette Golstein plays a tough Marine and says one of the best comebacks to an insult I've ever heard:
Paxton: "Have you ever been mistaken for a man? Goldstein: "No, have you?
Overall, this film doesn't disappoint. It is not as long and drawn out as Alien, and delivers plenty of action. Overall, Its a hit!