Rather than induce the slow-burn that Scott had accomplished with the original to create tension; Cameron calls Aliens "Forty miles of bad road". It's over an hour longer, has forty minutes at the beginning to re-establish Ripley as a character and, with the film now fifty-seven years in the future, cover the events to set the stage for the main chunk of the film's story.
Once the film is done explaining the universe, it's basically two hours of pure, unadulterated terror. Rather than tension, the film puts it principle players in scenario's that are practically impossible to survive, constantly. From the opening futile battle in the cooling tower to the film's final moments; it's no-win situation after no-win situation with narrow escapes and brief blemishes of hope.
This is made all the more engaging and captivating with having nearly all of the cast likeable. Whilst the Marines are your stereotypical obnoxious, loud and trigger happy crew (fun fact; Cameron asked everyone to read Starship Troopers before the film. Now watch both back to back and see the similarities), the combination of having them partially endearing and the scenario being so horrible makes you want to see them survive, even if they're main purpose is to up the ante and serve as a body count of the antagonists.
Aliens also brings back the idea of an antagonist in human form; this time in the form of smarmy business folk. From the first few moments where Ripley's entire story on Nostromo being declared mostly fabricated in a business meeting to Carter Burke's utterly horrifying actions on LV-426; Corporate America has never been more cruel (to the point where Ripley wonders which is worse; the Company or an alien race that procreate by raping other species...you be the judge!) and gosh darn it, it's what this film needed!
On the whole; Aliens is practically flawless as an action movie. Although you can argue that it's simply a precursor to the slightly superior Terminator 2 (evil race of antagonists, strong female character, good-if-at-times-morally-questionable robot, strong female character and good-if-at-times-morally-questionable robot defending innocent child and Michael Biehr), Aliens maintains elements that made the original good but changes the overall formula enough to make it not only worthy enough to exist in the universe Scott established, but make it a more thrilling, engaging and enjoyable film.
And just think, this was guy who eventually made Avatar and Titanic! Talk about how times change!
Ripley's Believe It or Not!: Whilst Ripley was basically a lucky if slightly sympathetic survivor in Alien; Aliens is where the Ripley everyone knows and loves comes into fruition. From the opening moments, we discover Ripley's daughter has died in the time she remained in hypersleep. Although she briefly grieves over her loss, the film focuses more on her post-traumatic stress of the events of Alien; including vivid and horrible nightmares in the opening act.
With the proper introduction of Newt in the second act, Ripley plays the motherly role. It's a stroke of genius by Cameron as Ripley is now an archetype that the audience can fully relate to (unless Norman Bates is watching the movie) and embrace.
She comes across as sympathetic, gentle, vulnerable and determined to protect her adopted child compared to the pure working ethic in Alien. Her finest moment in the entire series comes at the end as she storms into the Queen's nest, threatening her children for the sake of one of her own before finally battling her antithesis in a mechsuit to save the others (also stating one of cinema's best lines in the process).
She still retains her logic in the original although again, it's increased for the plot's sake and allowing the audience to project their thoughts to the other characters. She an advisor for the Marines, but even before the opening battle, she's fully aware of the Xenomorph's powers and constantly tells the crew to be more careful. When it all goes belly-up, she takes command for the operation from the C.O to rescue the survivors.
She also has, without sounding like a 'shiper; a strong relationship with Corporal Hicks. It's never really hinted at, but the pair get along well, share the same ideals in terms of operations and he plays up to her stronger character traits (which is made all the more tragic with Alien 3, but that's a point for next time).
Finally, after her violent clash with Ash on the Nostromo, she remains sceptic/vehemently against the use of newer model Bishop throughout the film. In fact, it's only until the film's final moments that Bishop's loyalties are made clear and her character can grow past her previous experience with androids.
Overall; a huge shift in character but necessary, believable and entertaining.
Game Over Man!: Whilst the Xenomorph's here are practically the same as the one in Alien; the social structure and Species hierarchy is revealed in Aliens and in short; Xenomorphs are ants.
It's revealed that a...family of Xenomorph's (I guess)? Anyway, the family has one huge Queen (complete with huge penis-like Ovipositor and egg sac..Giger would be proud!) which lays the eggs (without the need for procreation).
The regular Xenomorph's will then capture hosts, encase them in mucus at the nest (which has to be somewhere hot, in this case a nuclear-powered atmosphere reactor) , ready for the Facehugger to spring out and gestate and then spring out again as a chestburster.
See Aliens, unlike the original cut of Alien and it's sequels, doesn't really show human's dying at the Xenomorph's hands minus self defense. Instead, they kinda take them away screaming and let the next generation inadvertently do it. This also allows events like Newt's capture near the end to make sense and the prospect of saving those captured (although again, Newt is the only one successfully rescued).
And on a slight note, it seems they're capable of reasoning, although primitively. Ripley threatens to torch the entire nest unless she is allowed to go free with Newt and the Queens tells her guards to back off and allow her. They also seem familiar with the concept of revenge as Ripley still torches the nest and the Queen gives chase, ripping off the egg sac and ovipositor in the process...niiiiicccceeeee!
Overall: Aliens is fantastic. It's a film that never loses it's appeal on multiple viewings, has plenty of memorable moments and is a welcome change of pace from the original. If you haven't seen it already, do so, immediately! You'll enjoy it from start to finish.
But like all good things, it has to end and it's kind of ironic that Aliens is the series high; because the next in the franchise is easily the worst. Check back soon as the the series returns to it's singular title with Alien 3.
Altogether now:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
No comments:
Post a Comment