Along with the new, we will feature some “classic” titles so here is the first of these, the sequel the the 1970s original.
Aliens (1986), directed by James Cameron, is the thrilling sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic Alien. Picking up 57 years after the events of the first film, the story follows Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the sole survivor of the Nostromo, who has been drifting in hypersleep since her harrowing encounter with the deadly xenomorph. She is rescued by a deep-space salvage crew and brought back to Earth, only to find herself haunted by the events of her past and disbelieved by corporate officials at Weyland-Yutani.
Ripley learns that LV-426, the remote moon where her crew first encountered the alien, is now home to a human colony, Hadley’s Hope. However, contact with the colony is suddenly lost, and Weyland-Yutani recruits Ripley to act as an advisor on a mission to investigate. Reluctantly, Ripley agrees, joining a squad of heavily armed Colonial Marines led by Lieutenant Gorman (William Hope) and the seasoned Sergeant Apone (Al Matthews). Among the team is the resourceful and charming Corporal Hicks (Michael Biehn) and the brash, overconfident Private Hudson (Bill Paxton), along with Bishop (Lance Henriksen), a synthetic android whom Ripley initially distrusts due to her past experiences.
Upon arrival, the team finds the colony eerily deserted, with signs of a brutal struggle. As they delve deeper into the facility, they uncover horrifying evidence of what transpired and soon come face-to-face with the alien threat. Unlike the lone xenomorph of the first film, this time the crew is up against an entire hive of the deadly creatures, led by a towering and terrifying alien queen. The mission becomes a desperate fight for survival as the team faces relentless attacks, dwindling resources, and the moral dilemmas of saving the innocent while trying to escape.
Special Releases and Extended Scenes
The film’s original theatrical cut is a tightly paced action-horror masterpiece, running approximately 137 minutes. However, fans often consider the 1991 Special Edition as the definitive version, which adds 17 minutes of additional footage. These restored scenes provide deeper character development and world-building. Notable additions include:
A scene showcasing Ripley learning about the fate of her daughter, adding emotional depth to her decision to protect Newt, a young girl she finds on LV-426.
Extended sequences showing life in Hadley’s Hope before the alien outbreak, giving viewers a glimpse of the colony’s daily operations and relationships.
Additional moments of tension and action, particularly during the marines’ exploration of the alien hive.
These scenes enhance the film’s narrative richness without altering its core suspense and pacing.
Aliens stands as a landmark in science fiction and action cinema, blending intense combat sequences, edge-of-your-seat horror, and emotional stakes. Sigourney Weaver’s performance as Ripley received critical acclaim, earning her an Academy Award nomination—an unprecedented recognition for a genre film at the time. Whether watched in its theatrical form or the extended Special Edition, Aliens delivers a gripping, unforgettable experience that expands on the themes and thrills of its predecessor while carving out its own legacy.
