Written by Melissa Allen, who you can follow on Twitter at @melissajournal
Aliens, the second instalment in the Alien franchise, is perhaps one of the best films ever made. With Sigourney Weaver in the best female lead of her time (and perhaps still to this day), and the titular creatures in space – what’s not to love?
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In this perfect 80s film, Ellen Ripley (Weaver) once again comes face to face with the most amazing Hollywood villain. Ripley is asked to aid a group of soldiers when they get news of a colony gone missing. Just as you’d expect, things go wrong and aliens once again come out from the shadows.
In the panic Ripley comes across Rebecca, or ‘Newt’ (Carrie Henn), a young girl who has been left orphaned and alone by the aliens. Since we find out (in the extended version of the film) that Ripley herself has lost her own daughter, she immediately takes Newt under her wing and makes it her mission to keep her safe.
This film is not only a true masterpiece because of Weaver’s truly incredible performance of a woman turned warrior, but because this 80s sci-fi has heart.
The plot is strikingly endearing due to the relationship between Ripley and Newt, and also between Ripley and Hicks (Michael Biehn), as they grow closer and become friends instead of lovers or making their possible romance a big deal. That is why this film is as incredible as it is – it stays true to its genre and to its heroin, Ripley.
It's a movie which fills the void that the first one left us with, and adds some comedy in the form of the dramatic Private Hudson (Bill Paxton) whose character is incompatible with Ripley’s calm demeanor. His outbursts and ‘fits’ are a normal reaction to the situation of course, but since Ripley has taken charge she tells him to just get on with it – which he cannot do without screaming and shouting.
Of course, we must discuss the most remarkable villains in all of cinema history – the aliens! They bring a sense of not only horror and disbelief, but they are cheeky. They have truly cunning minds and, despite them not having the sense of sight, they can still easily get under your skin when you know they’re lurking in the shadows.
Aliens are perhaps an overdone idea today, but in 1986 it was more of an original concept. Their massive, black forms will haunt you and rightly so.
Aliens is also the first time we see the overpowered, haunting Alien Queen. A creature so large and commanding that she'll make the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention.
This film is a must-see for any sci-fi and even horror fanatic!
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