One of the best sequels of all time.

Rating: 8/10 (4 September 2009)

This movie ranks up there as one of the best movie sequels of all time for many reasons. For once, they didn't just remake the same movie, which is a common problem with most sequels, but they took it into a completely different -genre-. Whereas the first movie was an artfully realized cross between a haunted house movie and a monster tale, "Aliens" is a balls-to-the-wall science fiction action flick. This decision to take the story of the previous movie and transfer it into a completely new realm is what makes the story work as brilliantly as it does. There's also the satisfying feeling you get knowing that the people behind this picture genuinely cared about crafting a good movie, and not just making money (a common problem with most sequels).
The story picks up half a decade after the events of the first movie, when a deep salvage team stumbles across Lt. Ripley floating out in space, still in a deep hyper-sleep (which apparently keeps the subject from aging, it seems). She is rescued only to tell her story to a group of disbelieving suits that represent the company she once worked for, who promptly dismiss her claims that there are dangerous aliens roaming around on planet LV-426. They're soon proved wrong, however, when the company loses contact with a colony of civilians now living on the planet to help stabilize the atmosphere. The same company that screwed her over now asks Ripley to join a group of military grunts setting out to investigate the mysterious events, hoping her previous encounter with the species can prove useful. But once they set foot on LV-426, all hell breaks loose...
Director James Cameron could teach Michael Bay a thing or two about action films. This film starts off as a slow burn, taking time to introduce us to the colorful crew of the military ship Sulaco, and also setting the stage for an action-packed second half. Few modern directors would have taken the time to set everything up before cutting straight to the explosions--this absence of new millennium MTV-style editing is a welcome change of pace for those accustomed to modern action flicks that seem catered to ADD-riddled kids. We get to know these characters, so that when they do bite the dust, they're not just alien fodder. Cameron peppers the movie with an assortment of memorable characters that keep us interested even when there's not anything being shot at or blown up (how often can you say that for modern action films?).
The performances are worth mentioning in that they're all excellent. Sigourney Weaver is the standout here, obviously, taking her role of Ripley far beyond what we could imagine from the first movie. She is truly a fantastic heroine and one of the greatest female action characters of all time, as this movie proves so well.
This movie needs to be shown to certain big budget "directors" as evidence that plot, characterization, and good action can all be melded together into a fine piece of work. Thank you, "Aliens", for 2 1/2 hours of good, solid entertainment.