• Both this and it’s predecessor from Ridley Scott are sci-fi films (and I’m not big into genre definitions and discussions) but it’s also easier to think of alien (1979) as more of a horror film and aliens (1986) here from Cameron as an action or even a war film
  • It’s extremely funny- mainly due to Bill Paxton who as I said before is superb here. Although Cameron regular Michael Biehn is good as “Hicks”, Paxton is the second most important actor to this film after Weaver
  • Certainly I see some similarities with Rambo and some of the other action films of the 1980’s- this is just a superior version in many respects and there’s layers here like the maternal/feminine viewing and study of the film from weaver’s care for Newt to her “get away from her you bitch” battle with the queen Alien
  • There is a stunning graphic match early in the film
  • Ridley Scott’s original is known for being paced but we’re 70 minutes in here before we see any action as well
  • Cameron is a great auteur and some scenes are beautiful (the water scene where the alien captures Newt is especially gorgeous) but from a photographic standpoint Cameron is not Ridey Scott
  • There’s a clear parallel in many ways with Avatar. We have an evil corporation here and even the loading dock finale fight scene is very similar to the equipment used by Stephen Lang’s character
  • Top 5 quality or better of 1986
  • Must-See/ Masterpiece border