Aliens (1986)

Plot Outline: Ellen Ripley awakens after her very long hibernation in space to find that one believes her story about the alien on the spacecraft. That is until contact is lost with a colony that was built on the very planet that the alien was discovered on all those years ago! She is talked into going to the planet with a highly trained team of marines to investigate. What they discover is Ripley's worst nightmare turned reality. The alien is here. Only this time it has a lot of friends with it.

The Review: This is one of the very few examples of a sequel that surpasses the original. Aliens combines the sheer horror of the original along with more gung-ho action and excitement to create arguably the best sci-fi/action/horror film ever. James Cameron has put together the two best sequels of all time with this and Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Say what you want the man knows how to push all of the right buttons. It's actually quite hard to compare this to the original though. That was dark, claustrophobic and atmospheric. This one opts for the action packed 'in your face' route and is all the better for it. There are dozens of explosions, chases and battles throughout the film's running time including some very memorable highlights such as when the marines first encounter the aliens. Even the noise that the motion sensors make is quite frightening and is used to build up suspense to excellent levels. You can't see the aliens but you know they are around when the beeping starts! The film does move pretty slowly for about the first 45 minutes though. However as soon as they hit the planet, that's when the tension begins and the claustrophobia from the original sets in. The colonist's complex is just as unforgiving as the Nostromo was in the original, with pipes hissing steam, lights flashing on and off and corridors seemingly going on forever. Cameron knows how to keep the pressure turned up until the last moment when he unleashes hell. Weaver is great in the lead role once again but the supporting cast is also pretty impressive. Cameron favourites such as Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen and Bill Paxton all turn in decent performances, even if their characters are somewhat one-dimensional and stereotyped. But you associate with them early on so when they do eventually get taken out, you feel the emotional loss. The aliens look better and more scary than ever before and get plenty of screen time. Cameron also opts to show us a little more about their "society" so now we understand that they aren't just relentless killing machines, but they are just doing what they need to do to survive as well. There is still plenty of gruesome horror (and chest burstings for you die-hard fans of the original) and even some moments of comedy courtesy of Bill Paxton's character. Is there anything else this film could possibly have?

Final Verdict: Aliens is proof that sequels can surpass their originals. In this case, not only does it surpass the original but it blows it into space in the process. One of the best films ever made. A stunning thrill ride which will leave you as drained as you are scared after it's all over.

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