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Movies / On DVD / Aliens
Aliens

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Aliens (1986)

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Reviews Counted:44

Fresh:44

Rotten:0

Average Rating:8.8/10

Consensus: While Alien was a marvel of slow-building, atmospheric tension, Aliens packs a much more visceral punch, and features a typically strong performance from Sigourney Weaver.

Runtime: 2 hrs 34 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis: Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the sole survivor from the original ALIEN, is awakened after 57 years of drifting through space, her stories disbelieved by Company executives who tell her that the... Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the sole survivor from the original ALIEN, is awakened after 57 years of drifting through space, her stories disbelieved by Company executives who tell her that the alien's planet is now inhabited and colonized. When contact is suddenly lost with the colonists, Ripley returns to the planet with a squad of marines, an android (Lance Henriksen), and a Company executive (Paul Reiser) with a mission of his own. Once on the planet, no survivors can be found except for Newt, a little girl who awakens motherly instincts in Ripley just in time for the acid-blooded aliens to attack in what quickly becomes a one-sided battle for sheer survival. Considered by many to be the best of the series, ALIENS is a fast-paced, high-intensity thrill ride that set a new standard for action films and cemented director James Cameron's status as one of Hollywood's leading directors following the success of THE TERMINATOR. Weaver received an Academy Award nomination and became a feminist hero for her strong, sensitive performance as the survivor Ripley, while costars Reiser, Henriksen, and Bill Paxton all give career-making performances in this landmark sci-fi extravaganza. [More]

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, William Hope, Jenette Goldstein, Al Matthews, Mark Rolston, Ricco Ross, Colette Hiller

Director: James Cameron

Director: James Cameron
Screenwriter: James Cameron
Story: David Giler, Walter Hill, James Cameron
Producer: Gale Anne Hurd
Composer: James Horner

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jan 22, 2008

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Reviews for Aliens

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
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Everything a sequel should be.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

[An] instant cult classic.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Dragan Antulov
Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews

A non-stop action fest.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
03/10/03
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

When it comes to the logical marriage of action, adventure, and science fiction, few films are as effective or accomplished as Aliens.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Cameron's strength lies in solid storytelling in the muscular fashion that he stages the action, creating exciting thrills and intense suspense without ever descending into the mere mechanical.

Full Review Source: ESplatter | comment Comment
09/20/08
Steve Biodrowski
Steve Biodrowski
ESplatter

Proved that James Cameron has a mind for directing action movies considerably more nuanced and plot-driven than just "find ways to blow things up".

Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy | comment Comment
12/11/09
Tim Brayton
Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy

Features Sigourney Weaver as a female Rambo with nurturing instincts.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
08/26/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Scott's tension-building atmospherics are replaced by Cameron's high-octane punch.

Full Review Source: AboutFilm.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Carlo Cavagna
Carlo Cavagna
AboutFilm.com

Aliens is an exercise in film craftsmanship that has rarely been equaled in the twelve years since its release.

Full Review Source: Matt's Movie Reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Matt Easterbrook
Matt Easterbrook
Matt's Movie Reviews

The ads for Aliens claim that this movie will frighten you as few movies have, and, for once, the ads don't lie.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

One of the few films that can be predicted perfectly, but it’s so well crafted -- and so damn exciting -- that we just don’t care.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
06/25/02
Blake French
Blake French
Filmcritic.com

The Director’s Cut of the film hauntingly amplifies Ripley’s disconnect from her dead daughter and her relationship to the young Newt.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
12/15/03
Ed Gonzalez
Ed Gonzalez
Slant Magazine

A flaming, flashing, crashing, crackling blow-'em-up show that keeps you popping from your seat despite your better instincts and the basically conventional scare tactics.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/21/03
Walter Goodman
Walter Goodman
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

"Absolutely smashing!"

comment Comment
01/01/00
John Hartl
John Hartl
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

One sequel that surpasses the original.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment 4 Comments
09/24/07
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

the ultimate science fiction war epic

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
02/27/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

How can I put into worlds the terrifying atmosphere, the in-your-face violence or the nerve-wrenching suspense of the film?

Full Review Source: Montreal Film Journal | comment Comment
09/10/02
Kevin N. Laforest
Kevin N. Laforest
Montreal Film Journal

Aliens never strives to be as accomplished as the original, but it's wit and turbo-charged battles make it a wild and electric ride, one with the best replay value of the franchise.

Full Review Source: Film and Felt | comment Comment
09/29/03
Gabe Leibowitz
Gabe Leibowitz
Film and Felt

Some critics consider this chapter to be better than the first, but the two movies are vastly different: Ridley Scott's is a scary horror film, whereas James Cameron's is a high-tech actioner with superlative set-pieces.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
07/14/09
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

A movie experience that sticks with you and begs for numerous revisits . . . the kind of film that marks career milestones and re-defines genres.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
03/18/03
Brian Mckay
Brian Mckay
eFilmCritic.com
 
 
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