Aliens

Aliens (1986)

7/18/1986
137 minutes
8

Ripley, the sole survivor of the Nostromo's deadly encounter with the monstrous Alien, returns to Earth after drifting through space in hypersleep for 57 years. Although her story is initially met with skepticism, she agrees to accompany a team of Colonial Marines back to LV-426.

Revenue: $183,316,455

Details

Budget

$18,500,000

Rating

8/10 (9999 votes)

Status

Released

Production Companies

SLM Production Group, 20th Century Fox, Brandywine Productions

About Aliens

James Cameron's 1986 film "Aliens" functions as a direct sequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 horror film "Alien." It shifts the tone from horror to action, focusing on intense sequences and military science fiction elements. The narrative brings back Ellen Ripley, who joins a team of Colonial Marines sent to investigate a loss of contact with a human colony on LV-426, the planet where the original alien species was discovered.

Reviews of "Aliens" often discuss its approach to expanding the "Alien" universe. Some appreciate how the film develops Ripley's character, transforming her into a more determined figure while retaining a nurturing side, especially in her interactions with the young survivor Newt. The film introduces numerous extraterrestrial creatures and large-scale combat, distinguishing it from the isolated tension of its predecessor. Its critical reception includes high ratings from sources like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.

Despite its acclaim, "Aliens" also attracted some critique. A few viewers found its action-oriented style to be a departure from the horror focus of the original, with one reviewer feeling it discarded the established tone for a more conventional action film. Aspects such as the number of characters and film length were also noted by some as drawbacks. However, many consider it a successful follow-up that broadened the scope of the franchise.

Rotten Tomatoes 93%
Metacritic 84/100
IMDb 8.4/10

Why you might be searching for Aliens

People often search for "Aliens" when remembering its blend of military sci-fi with horror, particularly focusing on the warrior woman protagonist Ripley, the space marines, and the numerous alien creatures. Specific scenes like the battle with the alien queen or the presence of an android character are also common search queries.

What reviewers are saying

Rob 8.5/10

One reviewer praises the film as an all-time favorite, noting that it maintains some of the original's drama and suspense while introducing more action, leading to a more engaging story. They also highlighted Ripley's character development, becoming more determined while retaining her nurturing qualities with Newt.

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John Chard 10/10

A review notes the challenge of creating a sequel to a classic and commends director James Cameron for not simply copying the original's format but for enhancing its mood with added thrills and exhilaration.

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Charles Dance 4/10

One critic expressed disappointment, believing the film is a "shoot 'em up" that deviates from the horror elements of the franchise, comparing it unfavorably to the original "Alien" and suggesting it became a generic action film.

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AmazoniaNOTAmazon 4/10

A reviewer found the film disappointing compared to "Alien" (1979), citing too many characters, a lack of charisma among the actors (including Sigourney Weaver), excessive length, and a perceived lack of depth as reasons for its failure.

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