Product Description
In this action-packed sequel to Alien, Sigourney Weaver returns as Ripley, the only survivor from man-kind's first encounter with the monstrous Alien. Her account of the Alien and the fate of her crew are received with skepticism-until the mysterious disappearance of colonists on LV-426 lead her to join a team of high-tech colonial marines sent in to investigate.

Additional Features
The Director's Cut of Aliens includes 17 minutes of bonus footage. The added scenes are intermittently spread out through the film, fleshing out certain characters and plot. Included is a much-needed explanation of what happened to the colony, LV-426 (the decimated planetary outpost the Space Marines are sent to). In addition, there is more focus on the emotional state of Ripley (Signourey Weaver) after she is awoken following 60 years of space hibernation--only to find that all the people she once loved have since passed on. This in turn clarifies the strong bond between the little girl (Newt) and Ripley, which is highly relevant to the climactic showdown between the two mothers (Ripley as Newt's surrogate parent, and the alien queen as maternal protector).

Includes 1986 theatrical version and 1991 special edition

Space marines visit a colony infested by deadly aliens.

There's a lot of action movie cliches and general James Camerony corniness that comes pretty close to wrecking it, but overall it's extremely effective. And it's a lot scarier than I'd remembered it being.

Concept: A
Story: B
Characters: C
Dialog: D
Pacing: A
Cinematography: C
Special effects/design: A
Acting: C
Music: C

Enjoyment: A plus

GPA: 2.9/4

(May 2010) ( )