Aliens (1986)

Genre

Action | Sci-Fi

Director

James Cameron

Country

USA | UK

Cast

Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, Carrie Henn, Bill Paxton, William Hope, Ricco Ross, Al Matthews, Jenette Goldstein, Mark Rolston, Colette Hiller, Daniel Kash

Storyline

Fifty seven years after she survived her disastrous ordeal, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) discovers The Company have colonised the moon from Alien but have lost contacts with the colony. So she is sent there with a team of Space Marines to find out what is going on.

Opinion

Most of the time sequels turn out to be a really bad idea. But this time James Cameron took over from Ridley Scott, and it was more than obvious that the result would be different, and so it was. In fact "Aliens" is a thrilling science-fiction flick as well as a good sequel.

Even though it's better to watch this only after seeing "Alien" because it follows those events, and despite it shares some points with its predecessor's, the plot is quite strong and will keep you interested throughout the entire film.

The film also introduces new, interesting and quite memorable characters, and one in particular, and the bond that grows between that character and Ripley, allows to develop the main character even further.

Unlike Scott, Cameron decided to focus mainly on the action, which becomes even more violent than before - if that's even possible -, going from a claustrophobic thriller to an almost war movie. However, at the same time, he still managed to keep that suspense that characterized "Aline" and that kept the viewer glued to the screen.

In addition to a paced story and fast, intense and exciting action, the film also features creepy locations, great special effects - even though I feel like they were better in the first film -, and mesmerizing, to say the least, music. The acting isn't anything special, but it's believable.