Ripley...I'm scared

Rating: Null/10 (29 November 2000)

Despite the unparalleled success of Titanic, this is the movie that made Jim Cameron and is still arguably his best effort. Released in 1986, two years after his groundbreaking Terminator, Aliens is a celebration of American military might (the movie was made after six years of unprecedented defense spending under President Reagan) and mastery over nature. Although it depends heavily on the original Alien (1979) in art direction and style (and, of course, subject matter), it stands on its own as an equally compelling and suspenseful sci-fi horror movie.
Sigourney Weaver excells at fleshing out the Ripley character into a true screen icon--she's the female Rambo. All secondary characters (Carrie Henn (Newt), Bill Paxton, Lance Henrickson, even Paul Reiser) are well acted and memorable. The pacing is quick, gritty, and if it doesn't get your heart racing you are indeed jaded!
A great fun ride, one of the grand blockbuster films of the 1980s. See it and make sure you're in a dark room!