Why this was such a hit, and why 3 and 4 weren't.

Rating: Null/10 (17 February 2001)

Alien established Ripley as a character everyone could admire and relate to. A human being who, though terrified, fought back. To save her friends, to save her ship and to just survive. Aliens took it one step further, Ripley had to go back and confront the fears that paralyzed her after surviving them. Everyone wishes they could become as strong after surviving the terrible things life can throw at you. Ripley embodied this and people related to it. It's what made the movie such a big hit. You don't just root for her to win, you ADMIRE her. You CARE about her. You FEEL her pain. She FOUGHT to save Newt, the marines and herself. You felt as if you were there fighting along side her, and most people like to think they would do the same thing if in the same situation. These things along with great direction, story/plot, special effects and pacing made for an exciting movie experience, and set up parts 3 and 4 to fail. In Alien 3, Ripley just seem to give up. If she didn't care why should we? In Resurrection (part 4) she was portrayed as an engineered automaton, and again she didn't really seem to care, so neither did we. You can't blame Sigourney, the woman can ACT! And don't blame David Fincher for the disappointment of Alien 3, the man has talent that 20th Century Fox just didn't have faith in. I won't even start with Alien Resurrection.
So when you do like I do and watch Aliens for about the 50th or 60th time, think about why you like Ripley so much. You'll realize just how strong, determined and vulnerable her character really is. And we LIKED her that way!!!