Aliens (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Let me begin by saying, I'm a huge fan of the first two movies in the series, specifically Alien. I loved the nail biting suspense of not knowing what the creature looked like or where it was, or even what it could do. Suspense... that was the first movie.

Action... that is this movie. Almost from the beginning we have aliens and gunshots to keep us entertained and at the edge of our seat.

Aliens takes place after Ellen Ripley (Weaver) returns to earth from the first movie. Plagued by nightmares and the loss of her child (an added scene to the DVD which gives a bit more depth to he character). Enter Paul Reiser as the token corporate schmuk who gets Ellen to return to the planet LV426 (where they answered the distress call in the first movie and picked up the Alien). Apparently there has been a colony of people living there setting up an atmosphere on the planet that are suddenly not responding.

Somewhere in all of this There is added in footage of the terraformers (settlers) which explains how the aliens got to the colony in the first place. This scene also gives more background on Newt.

So Ripley and a group of Marines (Bill Paxton, Michael Bienn, Lance Hendriksen and several others) set out to determine what happened to the missing colonists.

Once they land on the planet the non-stop action begins. Instead of just one alien wreaking havoc on a ship, there are now legions of them crawling all over the settlement. It turns into a life and death game of war between the two species as the humans attempt to survive in this dangerous environment.

One of the main differences between this film and the first one is that they have no problem showing the aliens to you. This takes some of the mystery out of them, however they are no less frightening. Also we are given a better understanding of how the aliens work in this movie, setting up for the third and fourth films in the series.

Another difference is in the sheer action of this flick, this one is more about gun fire, grenades, flame throwers, and painful death scenes. Unlike many action movies however, the characters are interesting and we are saddened by their demise. Even Bishop (Lance Hendriksen) the android becomes a lovable character.

There are 17 minutes of additional footage that have been added into the film since the theatrical release, I was able to find most of it, but I'm sure some is just added shots in the action sequences.

The Special Features on the DVD include cut scenes, Trailers, a slide show and a Behind the Scenes. Honestly I was disappointed because the behind the scenes wasn't the one I expected it to be. At one time I saw on TV a behind the scenes special that was very interesting and informative, this seemed to be a chopped down and edited version of that.

Incase you haven't seen the movie, the acting is believable, somewhat above what you would expect in an action adventure film. Some of the lines are a bit forced but nothing takes away from the viewer's enjoyment of the film. The script is interesting and easy to follow, I have to admit that the added in footage did help explain several of the questions I had in the original version of the movie.

The special FX are awesome and totally believable except for one awful blue screen shot at the end. All of the creatures are realistic and frightening. The sets are dark, dismal, and add to the overall feel of the film. (My mom always asks why in the future everything has to be so ugly). The action scenes are fluid and exciting to watch. I have nothing negative to say about the movie.

If you like the film buy the DVD to get the additional footage and to own a classic Action/Horror Flick. Don't buy it just for the DVD extras because they aren't all that exciting.

Recommended:
Yes

Aliens is the best of the Alien series of films, it is one of the greatest action films ever made, and it is, along with The Terminator and The Abyss, one of the defining films of James Cameron's early career.

This DVD presents both the adrenaline pumping, oppressive, upsetting, and exciting theatrical cut, and the longer, better developed director's cut. Both are excellent films, and for the picture to be truly appreciated, both are essential. If one is better, it is the theatrical cut: the filmmakers were forced to jettison all but the essential pieces of the story and action, making for a brutal, exhilarating ride.

The special features are equally worthwhile, most especially the commentary and introduction by Cameron. The film speaks for itself, however, and we should each feel individually privileged to have both versions presented to us in such excellent sound and picture quality.

Bigger, better, faster.
Everything that was good about the first one was turned up ten notches for the sequel.
Great story, great effects even after all these years.
Not one weak link in this masterpiece.
One of my top twenty movies of all time, no doubt.
A must see, a must own!!!
Too bad it's been all down hill for the franchise after this.
Bummer.

A family member (not me) has watched this movie so many times, that "I" can rattle off some of the dialogue while the movie is playing in the other room.

He loves the Director's cut- many of the scenes have only been changed in the original by a few words.

A definate classic in this home.

Sigourney Weaver is the only really good cast member of this movie. The little girl is 2nd. Otherwise, the acting is just horribly bad.

The movie has none of the subtle menace of the original. The original was a work of art. This is just a (too-long) popcorn flick.

The special effects are very nice. But please, the props are "dated" because Ridley Scott's high standards of set design were allowed to erode. This is how you raise the budget hugely, yet end up with a cheaper-looking movie as a result.

Don't get me wrong, this is an entertaining movie despite some horrible, cringe-worthy acting and poor editing. But the original was a masterwork. Don't confuse the two.