Aliens
Sequels are always difficult to execute, especially when they arrive so late in the game. Look at the recent “Carrie 2.” Since Hollywood dictates that successful movies beget more of the same, sequels of popular films are a given. Timing is important, and if the studio waits too long to make good on the promise, they risk losing the momentum of the first film. That was the problem that plagued writer-director James Cameron when he approached 20th Century Fox with an idea to resurrect the “Alien” series created by director Ridley Scott in 1979. 
Seven years is a long time between films, and it didn’t help that the original “Alien” was pretty much a definitive work. How could Cameron possibly top the original? That’s not a question people ask anymore. Cameron has proven time and again that he is capable of taking pedestrian material and turning it into something totally unique. While his writing skills are a little rough around the edges, his presentation is right up there with the very best directors. He knows how to tell a story, and pushes the visual and special effects envelope with each new film. Instead of make another “dark house” horror film, Cameron decided to make a Vietnam War film in outer space. To that end, his character’s are pretty much cliches: the no-nonsense sergeant, the tough talking female recruit, the coward who talks big. Cameron is so adept at picking actors who bring more to the roles than the written word. His actors speak their lines with conviction, and you believe them even though we should be wincing instead. “Aliens” is another Cameron roller coaster ride, a non-stop presentation of suspense and thrills, and just enough humor to help relieve the tension. Even with stilted dialogue, Cameron’s screenplays are more than serviceable. They show us things and take us places that seem new and interesting. As an action director, Cameron is one of the best in the business. He understands how to mix epic action with intense personal drama without shortchanging either. Cameron doesn’t make small movies, and “Aliens” is bigger in all respects. There’s not just one alien, but an entire colony. They don’t just terrorize the crew of a salvage ship but an entire colony of miners. When the Marines arrive, they don’t just bring weapons, they brings really big weapons. Cameron’s screenplay finds an intelligent reason for Ripley (Sigourney Weaver, who received an Oscar-nomination for her performance) to return to the planet where her original crew first discovered the alien race. It seems while Ripley’s been floating in space in a deep hyper sleep, the planet has been inhabited by miners and their families. When all communication with the colony ends, the Marines are sent in. Ripley tags along because she is the only person who has had contact with the species, and hopefully to meet her nightmares face to face and put them to an end. The Marines are represented by several familiar faces, including Michael Biehn (Terminator) as the cool, calm and collected Corporal Hicks, and Bill Paxton as the big mouth who turns out to be a coward. Also along for the ride are android Bishop (Lance Henricksen) and corporate flunky Burke (Paul Reiser). When the Marines land, all they find is destruction. No sign of the miners or their families. A search of their living quarters only produces a little girl named Newt (Carrie Henn, so affecting), who is so in shock she can’t speak. Too bad, because she knows that mommy and daddy and everyone else are actually in the facility’s heating core, where they have been cocooned by the aliens as breeders. Now the Marines must face off against hundreds of the slimy creatures or become the new hosts. It’s such a simple premise, yet Cameron finds all kinds of detours to take us on before getting to the big pay off. There are several false alarms, and then all hell breaks loose. Those nasty face huggers even make a return appearance, only this time it’s personal. Cameron makes the most of a limited budget, using clever editing to compensate. For instance, even though we think we see more of them, there are never more than 6 aliens on screen at one time because that was all of the suits they could afford. Cameron also used ground breaking visual effects to pump up the action, and there are several scenes that literally cause you to drop your jaw. The first comes when a rescue ship crashes into the planet, the other comes when Ripley faces off against the Queen Alien inside the cargo bay of the spaceship. How can you deny the pleasure of seeing Ripley’s maternal instincts kick in when she goes after the queen shouting “Keep away from her, you bitch.” Cameron always works with the best behind the camera, and his crew here is no different. James Horner’s musical score is dynamic and creepy, while Adrian Biddle’s cinematography creates both mood and tone. Editor Ray Lovejoy puts it all together into a seamless stream of expressive images. The only flaw with “Aliens” was that it was so good that all that came after were pale by comparison.
COMPLETE CHECK-UP
VISION: [ ] 20/20 [ X ] Good [ ] Cataracts [ ] Blind
Aside from some hazy low lit interior sequences, the 1.85:1 widescreen digital transfer is smooth as silk. Enhanced for widescreen televisions at 16:9, the images are generally sharp, delivering excellent color and saturation, plus flattering flesh tones. Blacks for the most part are strong, and thanks to a clean original negative, the whites and shadows are clean and pure. The negative only shows a minor trace of wear and tear, and I didn’t notice much compression artifacts. Attention to detail and depth of field are exceptional, aside from those handful of scenes that tend to fade. Colors are especially strong, with vibrant reds.
HEARING: [ X ] Excellent [ ] Minor Hearing Loss [ ] Needs Hearing Aid [ ] Deaf
Outstanding 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround soundtrack puts you right in the middle of the action. Excellent stereo and surround effects, plus a dialogue mix that is strong enough to rise above the creepy ambient noise and musical score. Stereo effects sound precise, especially left to right, while the front to rear spatial separation sounds accurate. Surround effects, including lots of weird, obnoxious ambient noise, fill the speakers. Basses are strong and powerful, while high and middle ends are equally strong. The DVD also features an English Dolby Surround soundtrack as well.
ORAL: [ ] Excellent [ X ] Good [ ] Poor
Closed captions in English for the hard of hearing, subtitles in Spanish.
COORDINATION: [ ] Excellent [ X ] Good [ ] Clumsy [ ] Weak
Nicely rendered main and scene access menus, plus a healthy dose of chapter stops. The DVD also features theatrical trailers for all four “Alien” films, plus 17 minutes of additional footage not shown in theaters. Look further and there is a healthy photo gallery showing you the various stages of the film and its production, plus an interview with director-writer James Cameron. There’s also some behind-the- scenes footage covering the film’s unique special and visual effects.
PROGNOSIS: [ X ] Excellent [ ] Fit [ ] Will Live [ ] Resuscitate [ ] Terminal
I love movies that stick to your face, and next to “Alien,” this is the granddaddy. A must have for all serious DVD collections.
VITALS: $29.98/Rated R/154 Minutes/Color/34 Chapter Stops/Keepcase/#4110431
ATTENDING RESIDENT: John Larsen
PATIENT: ALIENS-SPECIAL EDITION
BIRTH DATE: 1986
HMO: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
