ALIENS (1986) - what the haters missed - film analysis / review

Analysis / review of story structure and plot logistics in James Cameron's classic sci-fi sequel ALIENS (1986).

Full 2 hr version (called ALIENS - Story structure, plot logistics and physicality) of this video is available at
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[PaulFurber]

Folks, run don't walk and buy the full version of this. It's a really good analysis, even by Rob's standards, about the logistics of horror and action movies which is something I've never heard articulated before. It seems obvious but it's mega important that the physical and technological elements in these kinds of movies are plausibly explained, carefully tracked and detailed enough to fit seamlessly into the plot.

[MindiB]

I’ve read observations that “Alien” is a haunted house and “Aliens” is a roller coaster. I agree that the genre switch was genius, and both movies are excellent and stand on their own merits.

[WesCoastPiano]

The most amazing thing about Aliens is how much we end up caring for the supporting cast as much as the stars. Every. Single. Character is given fantastic dialogue and a moment to shine. I've never seen a film since that has that many likable characters in it. It's an absolute masterpiece.

[jameswilkinson]

I like that Ripley stood counter to the Marines' bravado and bluster with caution and respect for the alien threat. Sometimes being tough isn't enough, and that was a tough lesson to the troops.

[oldmandoinghighkicksonlyin]

Aliens is the only movie I can watch a hundred times and still stay tense the whole way through. The movie has a physiological effect on me.

[NegotiableHemingway]

Everything about the aliens crawling on the ceiling scene when they’re all in the room wondering where the all are is one of if not the most intense, suspenseful and excellent scenes I’ve ever seen. The cinematography, the lack of sound or music and how the room is blood red indicating impending doom. Fantastic scene!

[tubefan]

Ash: You still don't know what your dealing with do you? A perfect movie. It's cinematic perfection is matched only by its score.
I can't lie to you about my admiration.
But you have my endorsement.

[kanakawase]

Aliens may be an action movie, but it's still scarier than most modern horror movies. The way the aliens tear through a platoon of heavily armed space marines just makes them more terrifying.

[Yora]

Never quite thought about it before, but it's interesting that in the final fight, Ripley is taking on the alien queen not with any of the weapons of the soldiers, but with equipment she is familiar with and that comes from her walk of life.
That's another way of how she exerts her own agency, and a case where the non-combatant female hero does not have to suddenly turn into a very powerful soldier who is better at soldiering than the experienced professionals.

[RandoSando.]

"Bringing back that alien in a sequel is a ridiculous prospect."

Alien romulus: 👁👄👁

[fistyann]

I slept in my older brother’s room the night I saw Aliens. Scared the shit outta me, *and* it’s a longtime favorite. Infinitely rewatchable.

[Hoedatzodan]

What nobody ever talks about is the letter 'G' from Giger's name, in witch he designed the Alien ship. He was a true artist in that sense.

[jamesalp]

I just want to say, I appreciate the fact that you refer to the monster as "the alien, " and not as "the xenomorph, " which has become common recently. I have always felt that the use of that word was the writers' way of quickly and economically showing the audience that the Lt. Gorman character did not have the respect of the marines serving under his command. He prefers technical jargon over the pithier phrase, "bug hunt." It seems to me that those who use the term "xenomorph" as though it has become a semi-official name for the alien creature are only revealing that they don't get what Cameron and Hurd were doing in that part of their script.

[spinlok]

Wait a minute, this movie had haters? I thought it was against the law of the universe to hate it!

[mroctober]

The troop carrier vehicle is actually a tug for 747 jumbo jets that they got from Heathrow Airport.

[johnnytactical]

It’s such a great movie…it’s not even about the Aliens…it’s about the struggle for human survival, mother/daughter bonding, a bit of love and betrayl

[anonymousanonymous]

One of the biggest insults to the series was trying to replicate apone in Idris Elba's character, not everyone sees it but it's there. The characters of aliens were incredible and the cast were perfect

[Coypop]

It was a missed opportunity that they didn't include eggmorphing in Alien Isolation - as a nod to the fans and a chance to distinguish Amanda's encounter with the creature/add some more mystique to it.

[sovcast]

I'd always wondered why they weren't overrun by sheer weight of numbers twords the end and why Ripley didn't encounter more xenomorphs when she went to rescue Newt. The inclusion of the auto guns in the director's cut answered that question and therefore, in my opinion, is the best and most complete version.

[rickmaurer]

In the Alien movie comic, I remember while inspecting the alien space pilot chair, Lambert or Dallas touch something on the chair and deactivate the beacon. Hence why the colonists never detected a beacon.