Aliens Review: A Sequel That Goes to War
9/10 — Aliens (1986)
Pros
- Weaver's powerful Ripley
- Excellent action
- Memorable marines and Queen
Cons
- Less frightening than the original
- Cartoonish corporate villain
Ellen Ripley returns to the moon where the Alien was found, this time accompanied by a squad of space marines. James Cameron turned the original’s horror into a military action thriller.
What works
Sigourney Weaver is fantastic, giving Ripley emotional depth and ferocity, and the marines are a vivid bunch. The action set pieces are tense and inventive, and the Alien Queen is a great final threat. The ending’s mother-versus-mother showdown is iconic.
Where it falters
It’s less scary than the original, and the corporate villain is a bit cartoonish.
Verdict
A thrilling, rousing sequel that stands on its own.
