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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 date)
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato
9/10

Tim Brayton

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: | comment Comment | Dec., 11 2009 08:17 PM

Antagony & Ecstasy

tomato
5/5

Brad Miska

If you were to only see one movie in your entire lifetime it would have to be ALIENS. James Cameron has delivered a masterpiece that will never in a million years be topped...

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 27 2009 10:20 PM

Bloody Disgusting

tomato
A-

Emanuel Levy

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: | comment Comment | Jul., 14 2009 03:51 PM

EmanuelLevy.Com

tomato

The trouble Ripley has found this time is exponentially bigger and scarier than anything she encountered in Ridley Scott's memorably minimalist, eerily elegant 1979 film.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 19 2008 09:05 AM

TIME Magazine

tomato

Steve Biodrowski

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: | comment Comment | Sep., 20 2008 03:43 PM

ESplatter

tomato
8/10

Jean-François Vandeuren

Un film clé en son genre.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 20 2008 11:04 AM

Panorama

tomato
4/4

Weaver is superb -- tough, smart, and the best fighter, male or female, in the movie.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 17 2008 04:26 AM

TV Guide's Movie Guide

tomato
5/5

Ian Nathan

Truly great cinema.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 24 2007 06:59 PM

Empire Magazine

tomato
5/5

If only all blockbusters were this good.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 24 2007 06:59 PM

Channel 4 Film

tomato

Dave Kehr

One sequel that surpasses the original.

Full Review Source: | comment 4 Comments | Sep., 24 2007 06:58 PM

Chicago Reader

tomato

There is always an interesting tension in Cameron's work between masculine and feminine qualities. When it finally hits the fan here, we're in for the mother of all battles.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 16 2007 03:16 AM

Time Out

tomato
3.5/4

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Everything a sequel should be.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 26 2006 03:17 AM

Combustible Celluloid

tomato

This sequel dares to build slowly, allowing Weaver to develop a multi-dimensional character even as it ups the ante by fetishising the Marines' hi-tech hardware and spawning legions of aliens.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 09 2006 03:17 AM

Time Out New York

tomato
3/5

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Features Sigourney Weaver as a female Rambo with nurturing instincts.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 26 2004 02:22 PM

Spirituality and Practice

tomato
2.5/4

Ed Gonzalez

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: | comment Comment | Dec., 15 2003 10:24 AM

Slant Magazine

tomato
4/5

James O'Ehley

[A] modern sci-fi classic.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 05 2003 08:13 AM

Sci-Fi Movie Page

tomato
5/5

Rebecca Murray

No review available.

comment Comment | Oct., 10 2003 10:21 PM

About.com

tomato
4/4

Gabe Leibowitz

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: | comment Comment | Sep., 29 2003 06:59 AM

Film and Felt

tomato
5/5

Widgett Walls

What happens when you take a premise, soak it in a combination of adrenaline and kerosene, then light the sucker.

comment Comment | Aug., 18 2003 12:07 PM

Needcoffee.com

tomato
5/5

Blake Davis

The most instense and satisfying piece of science fiction ever made. James Cameron's masterpiece.

comment Comment | Jul., 14 2003 09:17 AM

KFOR Channel 4 News

 
 
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