My first viewing... this is a good movie! Who knew
Okay, this GenXer fully admits, I’d never seen any of the Alien franchise before about 2 weeks ago. My wife has been trying (for years), but frankly, I’m not into SciFi all that much. I do the Star Wars franchise (the ones I acknowledge as actual films), but beyond that, I just can’t get into it. But Amazon had Alien on Prime recently, so I told my wife I’d watch with her, and it turned out... it was actually pretty darn good. Then Amazon had a really good deal on Aliens - the sequel if you didn’t know - and we grabbed it. (We have also agreed to get Alien when it has a good deal) and, I liked it as well. it’s a pretty good movie. I was impressed. Never realized the first two were James Cameron films, but watching, I’m not surprised. I’d never paid attention, but then I could see his voice all over it. Alien and Aliens are smart films. Not just your run of the mill, giant dangerous monsters take over and kill people. In fact, I know there was stress and anxiety and action and heightened, growing tension as the Alien/aliens have to be hunted and destroyed, before they get closer to civilization. But I don’t remember blood and gore (for the sake of it or not). The great films don’t need to put it in your face, or at least do it in a way that you aren’t overwhelmed. All of that is expertly built into the action of the film. But the other thing about great action and thriller movies, they are about someone - there is a way for the audience to come in, be engaged, and want their hero to win. Aliens, like its predecessor, has that kind of heart. Without it, a person may still like movie, but there is always “something missing,” they often just can’t tell you what... so yes, Aliens has that heart... found in both our hero, Ripley, and her new charge, the little girl, Newt. Cameron has done a great job of picking up where the first one let off, then grab us and brings us into Aliens quickly and easily, then builds a story with both the action and growing energy most want, but the heart that your viewer’s heart knows it needs. There are the standout performances of Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn (Newt), Lance Henriksen, and Michael Biehn. In this turn, Paul Reiser does very well as the villain. But I think my biggest surprise was found in Private Vasquez, played by Jenette Goldstein. If you want to know why, watch Aliens. If you want to know even more... she’s the Irish mom in Titanic, the James Cameron masterpiece. And a few other parts - she’s an unknown/little know chameleon actor with such a talent, when I found out all she’s been in, I was blown away - she’s excellent. The story picks up where Alien left off, taking Ripley back to the planet of her greatest challenge and threat of death from... the alien now aliens. She and the others sent to find out (many years later) what has happened to an ill advised colony there. As things play out she and the others, a top military team, are hunted by even more aliens. They also find a young Newt, in need of their help - well, as far as a kid who’s survived on their own for so long needs help that is (think Jurassic Park 3). In the end, will anyone get off the planet... I can honestly say, I think you’ll have fun finding out. I will add, I have now watched the next in the franchise and did not like it at all. Why? Because it is completely missing what Cameron did - the heart as the hero of a SciFi film. Every movie needs heart and this SciFi has it. Read more
