Am I the only one who thought ALIENS kinda sucked?

[Dr.Mirakle32]

Before I get lynched, let me explain. I first saw ALIENS on TCM a few years ago, and it was the first Alien film I had ever seen. I originally found the film too long and pretty boring, with all of the good stuff saved for the very end. As a fan of the Predator and Terminator films, I was expecting another fun *****-to-the-wall 80's action flick. Sure it had a couple of neat scenes, but as an overall film, it was really dissapointing.

Flash foward to a few weeks ago. I finally saw Ridley Scott's original ALIEN. It is without a doubt one of the scariest films I've ever seen, and a genuinely suspensful thriller. Sure it was a bit slow at parts, and it probably wouldn't hurt if 10-15 minutes were cut throughout the film to pick up the pacing. Still, I'm not complaining. I was in awe of the special effects, art direction and set design. This is one of those sci-fi flicks like the original STAR WARS, where the film's look has a timeless quality, and the EFX blow the CGI crap of today out of the water. Overall, it's probably one of my all time favorite sci-fi or monster movies.

So tonight, I had a little double feature thatnks to Cinemax. I got to watch my beloved ALIEN, and saw that it was followed by the Cameron-helmed sequel. I decided that maybe ALIENS would be alot better the second time around, since I had seen the original.

I'm sorry to say that it wasn't. My GOD, is ALIENS a boring film, and people say the same about the original. Aside from Hicks and Bishop, most of the characters weren't as likeable as those in the original. Some like Hudson were downright annoying. The set design was alot less Giger-inspired than the sets in the original, and seemed more TERMINATOR than ALIEN (well, whaddaya expect with Cameron directing?) The first hour seemed to drag forever, and in the end most of it was unnessescary. However, the few action scenes in the film were well done and exciting, but never made me jump like the ones in the original. The only part of the film I genuinely liked was the last half hour (which in essence, mirrored the climax of the original.)

Even the Aliens suffered. I liked how the Alien in the original was intelligent and manipulative. We also had no idea what it was. Now, it's just a giant mindless insect. At least the Queen creature was neat.

The thing is, ALIENS had so much potential. The marines were pretty bad-***, and the idea of using more aliens in an action flick is a great one, I just don't think Cameron did a good job of executing it. I think if he had tightened up the script, shortening the first half of the film, and collaborated with H.R. Giger for the film's look, it would have been a much better film.
It is obvious that Cameron wanted to pick up where Scott left off and wanted to do his own thing with it. He suceeded, but in my opinion, the finished film wasn't as good as Scott's.

But hey, that's just me. What do I know?

[Darklord Dave]

Okay guys, keep the flaming to a minimum. I WILL lock this thread if I have to.

[Jamal]

LOL THIS IS MADNESS!!!

http://www.qarl.com/qLab/pile/300/SPARTA.jpg

[Grange Wallis]

I agree with you totally, but disagree at the same time. I think Alien was better, design-wise, Giger's Alien design was much better/creepier. And I did think Aliens did drag in sections (I watched with my Girlfriend, just after the honeymoon period of the start of the relationship ended and she'd started getting confident enough to tell me she was bored and to turn it off, which we did :o) but I do love the movie! and I liked Hudson. I like it because we got more information about the Alien & it's society. But it does have that T2, Abyss blue coloured feel about it...

By the way you're in for a flaming!

[Hollis DZC]

Ohhhh my, the utter Blasphemy!!

Darklord Dave, I must commend you on your quick foresight!

[El Roranous]

Okay guys, keep the flaming to a minimum. I WILL lock this thread if I have to.

:lol:lol:lol:rotfl



ALIENS ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rock :rock

[Grange Wallis]

Okay guys, keep the flaming to a minimum. I WILL lock this thread if I have to.

:rotfl Damn, I was writing my post, as you must have been posting this! I wanted to warn him regarding the flaming he's going to receive! :rotfl

[El Roranous]

This thread is worst than the one legged Van Helsing PF. :monkey4:lol

http://www.sideshowtoy.com/mas_assets/large/7105.jpg

[Bannister]

:lol:lol:lol:rotfl



ALIENS ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rock :rock
Just watched it again last night.:rock:rock:rock

[El Roranous]

Just watched it again last night.:rock:rock:rock

:rock :rock :rock

[Jamal]

This thread is worst than the one legged Van Helsing PF. :monkey4:lol

http://www.sideshowtoy.com/mas_assets/large/7105.jpg

Is that a joke or does that abomination exist?

[Bannister]

Is that a joke or does that abomination exist?

It was a variant limited to 50.

[El Roranous]

Is that a joke or does that abomination exist?

:rotfl:rotfl:rotfl:lol

Oh it exists and I have heard that every October it magically creeps out of it's grave to offer us one more chance at owning this piece of art.

In SPOOKTACULAR 2056 the last Van Helsing will finally be sold but you can still try your luck on the wait list- it really works!

[galactiboy]

Man, this really is a dangerous thread topic :lol I do prefer the original to the sequel. But only just slightly and what I think is great about Aliens is its not just a rehash sequel, but a very different take on a great idea.

So sorry Dr. Miracle, you really are the only one who thinks that :lol

[Jamal]

Man that just made :monkey2 CRY

[El Roranous]

Is that a joke or does that abomination exist?

Oh I forgot to mention there is a very strict quantity limit of 7 on this retired piece. :rotfl

[icruise]

People debate about which is better, Alien or Aliens, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone say Aliens was boring. But you don't have to like it just because most other people do. Just don't expect to change our minds.

[Dr.Mirakle32]

Well I'm sorry, but I just don't understand why this movie is SOOOO above criticism. I like ALIEN, and I like James Cameron (I think the Terminator films, and Titanic are some of the greatest movies, ever made,) yet I didn't care for ALIENS. People can talk **** about sequels like PREDATOR 2 all day and night, so what makes ALIENS so untouchable?

Hell, I remember PREDATOR 2 was more entertaining than ALIENS.

[Batty]

:horror :horror :horror :horror :horror :horror

I'm in shock.

[Dr.Mirakle32]

People debate about which is better, Alien or Aliens, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone say Aliens was boring. But you don't have to like it just because most other people do. Just don't expect to change our minds.

I'm not expecting you to, I just don't understand all the praise it gets. Sure it definitely has some great qualities, but I just didn't care for the overall result.

[FACEBOX]

LOL, and I bet you think AVP-R is the BEST MOVIE EVER MADE. :rolleyes:

[El Roranous]

LOL, and I bet you think AVP-R is the BEST MOVIE EVER MADE. :rolleyes:

:lol:lol:lol

Not even a Celine Dion fan could have such poor taste in film.

[Jamal]

Now now, everyone is entitled to their opinion :rotfl

[Grange Wallis]

I'm not expecting you to, I just don't understand all the praise it gets. Sure it definitely has some geat qualities, but I just didn't care for the overall result.

yeah geat qualities! but not great!

I think it's a great movie, but I can understand if you only think it was geat! :lol

[Cocoboloboy]

Aliens and the original Highlander movie. Worst flicks ever made.

Ok, my work is done. I'm off to bed.



:D

[Grange Wallis]

Death by bongbong!

[Bardoon]

Aliens and the original Highlander movie. Worst flicks ever made.

Ok, my work is done. I'm off to bed.



:D

Your credibility is null and void here StarWarsFan #109383989090 :D

[El Roranous]

Aliens and the original Highlander movie. Worst flicks ever made.

Ok, my work is done. I'm off to bed.



:D
Highlander did blow. The only thing great about that movie was the Kurgan- he was bad to the freakin bone. The main character sucked and couldn't act and the rest of the film was an embarrassment to cinema. :monkey4

[Dr.Mirakle32]

LOL, and I bet you think AVP-R is the BEST MOVIE EVER MADE. :rolleyes:

No, but I thought it was alright. ALIENS was definitely a technically better film of course, but AVP-R wasn't bad to kill 90 minutes, either.

[Dr.Mirakle32]

Highlander did blow. The only thing great about that movie was the Kurgan- he was bad to the freakin bone. The main character sucked and couldn't act and the rest of the film was an embarrassment to cinema. :monkey4

Okay, now somebody wants to go to war. ALIENS ain't got **** on the original HIGHALNDER.

[El Roranous]

Okay, now somebody wants to go to war. ALIENS ain't got **** on the original HIGHALNDER.

Really? :lol

Man, my girl and I watched Highlander for the first time not too long ago and we both wanted to turn that atrocity off!

Main character was a . Probably one of the worst films I have ever seen in my life. Even Connery was terrible.

Kurgan still ruled though. Awesome bad guy.

[Cocoboloboy]

Your credibility is null and void here StarWarsFan #109383989090 :D

:lol

I was actually kidding about Aliens but I'm with Rory as far as Highlander goes.
I just wanted to stir the pot a little.:D

[El Roranous]

:lol

I was actually kidding about Aliens but I'm with Rory as far as Highlander goes.
I just wanted to stir the pot a little.:D

:lol:lol:lol :rock

[El Roranous]

I also wanted to note that the fighting in Highlander was just plain terrible and poorly executed. They moved like snails and hit like women (no offense) Seriously though, who was the sword fighting choreographer for this film because they should never be given another job ever again.

[Rob]

I liked ALIEN and the Assembly Cut of ALIEN3 more than ALIENS.

To me, ALIENS weakened the Alien character by just making it like some stupid bug that runs up to guns to be slaughtered and played off more as, literally, some SciFi nerd's wet dream of a movie(Only it was a pretty good movie) about Space Marines vs Alien creatures, whereas ALIEN and ALIEN3 were the best portrayals of the Alien character; a sneaky creature that uses enclosed spaces and air vents to it's advantage, to stalk it's prey and move in for the kill and played off more psychological thrillers and thought provoking movies.

Don't get me wrong, ALIENS is a good movie, but I just don't like it as much as ALIEN and the Assembly Cut of ALIEN3.

Bash me if you want, but I stand by my opinion.

[jungle jom]

Aliens did stink. They died too easily and their blood was not as acidic as it was in the original. You couldn't kill one of the things in the first movie without serious consequences, it took the lack of air in space to vanquish it. In the second film they were dying like flies with a few bursts with a gun.

[IronFingaz]

I'm curius to see what P!tu has to say when he see's this:lol

Oh, and the film KICK'D ***!!!! And Highlander sucks!

[piccolodaimaoh]

Okay, now somebody wants to go to war. ALIENS ain't got **** on the original HIGHALNDER.

Whatever you're smoking, pass it this way...

But people have different tastes in movies, just like people have different tastes in women. The good Dr. just prefers Rosie O'Donnel to Scarlet Johannsen, but that is his decision.

But all kidding aside, to compare ALIEN to ALIENS is really unfare. ALIEN is a horror movie, an excellent horror movie at that. ALIENS is an action thriller and in my opinion one of the best of all time. It would be like comparing Predator to A Nightmare on Elm Street.

But hey, diff'rent strokes for different folks.

[Grange Wallis]

No, but I thought it was alright. ALIENS was definitely a technically better film of course, but AVP-R wasn't bad to kill 90 minutes, either.

AVP-R was only 90mins??? That film sucked so bad I thought it Gone with the Wind with Aliens & Predators in it or something!

[Rob]

Whatever you're smoking, pass it this way...

But people have different tastes in movies, just like people have different tastes in women. The good Dr. just prefers Rosie O'Donnel to Scarlet Johannsen, but that is his decision.

But all kidding aside, to compare ALIEN to ALIENS is really unfare. ALIEN is a horror movie, an excellent horror movie at that. ALIENS is an action thriller and in my opinion one of the best of all time. It would be like comparing Predator to A Nightmare on Elm Street.

But hey, diff'rent strokes for different folks.
Except Nightmare on Elm Street doesn't hold a candle to ALIEN. I would say ALIEN has a more interesting setting, concepts, characters and creature than Nightmare does, since Nightmare is essentially a teenage slash fest, much like Friday the 13th.

That and I sure as hell wouldn't compare ALIEN to O'Donnel.:monkey4

[Dr.Mirakle32]

Except Nightmare on Elm Street doesn't hold a candle to ALIEN. I would say ALIEN has a more interesting setting, concepts, characters and creature than Nightmare does, since Nightmare is essentially a teenage slash fest, much like Friday the 13th.

That and I sure as hell wouldn't compare ALIEN to O'Donnel.:monkey4

I would say you're being a bit unfair to Nightmare. The original ANOES is one of the great modern horror flicks, and pretty original for it's time. Like ALIEN, it is a great standalone film, and in my opinion works best if one ignores the sequels. It has a good plot, a great villain (Robert Englund was creepy before they turned Freddy into a clown,) and an imaginative story. When you think about it, the premise is much more creative than that of ALIEN's. ALIEN just kind of took the plot of a monster or in this case, an alien, who kills off a group of unsuspecting people in a dark secluded area, and set it in space.
However, I love both films equally.

[IrishJedi]

You mean someone here really thinks ALIENS sucked? :confused:

(Not being facetious, I'm actually surprised)

[Dr.Mirakle32]

You mean someone here really thinks ALIENS sucked? :confused:

(Not being facetious, I'm actually surprised)

I thought it kinda sucked. It had good elements, but the overall film didn't do it for me.

[Dr.Mirakle32]

You mean someone here really thinks ALIENS sucked? :confused:

(Not being facetious, I'm actually surprised)

I thought it kinda sucked. It had good elements, but the overall film didn't do it for me.

[Rob]

I would say you're being a bit unfair to Nightmare. The original ANOES is one of the great modern horror flicks, and pretty original for it's time. Like ALIEN, it is a great standalone film, and in my opinion works best if one ignores the sequels. It has a good plot, a great villain (Robert Englund was creepy before they turned Freddy into a clown,) and an imaginative story. When you think about it, the premise is much more creative than that of ALIEN's. ALIEN just kind of took the plot of a monster or in this case, an alien, who kills off a group of unsuspecting people in a dark secluded area, and set it in space.
However, I love both films equally.

Eh, it's alright. I still consider it another teenager slasher movie compared to ALIEN, though.

[Sabres21768]

I'm going to have to agree with Rob...

The fact is, as great as ALIENS was, as a movie...we have Cameron to thank for turning them into nothing more than big bugs. Fodder for whatever comes along and "pokes a stick at the nest".

This is why we have the type of Alien we have in movies today. Everyone wants to smack Anderson around for his "raptor" Aliens, but it was Cameron that started the ball rolling.

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE the movie. But that bit of film really is the turning point for these creatures.

[PROWL]

oh yeah, a movie that's was a blockbuster, is liked by viewers and critics alike, stands toe to toe with it's predacesor, and made the francis a brand that can be marketed years after it's release must have sucked......right?

not so much. this is a case of stating presonl preferance as fact, I take it from your opening post that you don't like movies that have a slow pace, you seem to feel that Alien is a little long in the beging as well, so it may be slow building movies arn't your thing.


at the end of the day it's your opinion, and you have a right to it.


the problom I have is the way you put your opinion, thats all.

[piccolodaimaoh]

Except Nightmare on Elm Street doesn't hold a candle to ALIEN. I would say ALIEN has a more interesting setting, concepts, characters and creature than Nightmare does, since Nightmare is essentially a teenage slash fest, much like Friday the 13th.

That and I sure as hell wouldn't compare ALIEN to O'Donnel.:monkey4

Rob you got me all wrong, I can't believe that I have to explain this but okay:

Highlander to ALIENS is like Rosie O'Donnel to Scarlet Johanssen

ALIEN to ALIENs is like A Nightmare on Elm Street to Predator

Do you understand now?

[Rob]

Somewhat. Though I mostly consider both ALIEN and Predator equal, but I see what you're getting at.

[piccolodaimaoh]

Somewhat. Though I mostly consider both ALIEN and Predator equal, but I see what you're getting at.

I only brought up ALIEN and Nightmare because they are both horror movies. I saw the ALIEN special edition on IMAX back in 2003 and it terrified me. I am ashamed to say that it was only then that I truely appreciated Ridley Scott's masterpiece.

[galactiboy]

Hey don't bring Highlander into this, its a kickass movie in its own right... yet I hope no one would defend its sequels. Leave your own dislike of the movies to take a beating w/o bringing in other peoples enjoyable cinema :lol

And really Highlander being equated with Rosie... you could at least give us Courtney Love :huh

[Wor-Gar]

You mean someone here really thinks ALIENS sucked? :confused:

(Not being facetious, I'm actually surprised)

:lol

This is a really odd topic to bring up in a section which came about because of a super-thread called ALIEN and ALIENS. Talk about asking for trouble. :)

But I have to admit, when I first saw "Aliens" in the theater, it left a bad taste in my mouth, mostly because of what it un-did in the Ridley version. It was such a change of tone and pace, it really threw me. I felt that they took out the style and substituted the "Rambo" influence of the day -- which Cameron did. However, once I got past comparing it to the original, I came to like it upon a second viewing...and, as with all things, multiple viewing, again and again, has made it a classic in my mind.

I do think it's a great movie... although nothing will replace my love for the original, or how it effected me when I first saw it as a kid. Stayed for a second show that night.

[Stendec]

The Alien Saga has always been my favourite series of films and for the most part, Camerons sequel was my pick of the bunch. Nostalgia and familiarity played a big part in this because Aliens is one of the first films I remember seeing as a kid and it was always being aired on tv as I was growing up. Plus the images of badass space marines with huge machine guns facing off against Alien monsters was very appealing to any young boy who played with toy soldiers in the garden.

In more recent years though my preference has shifted back and forth and now I have a greater appreciation for the first movie, and Alien 3 in particular which I think is a fantastic movie.

Aliens strength as a movie is its no-nonsense approach and easy accessabiltiy to audiences. I suppose its more "commercial" for l;ack of a better word :rolleyes: Alien is a masterclass in atmosphere and horror but its more disturbing, cerebral and tougher on audiences.

These days I appreciate those types of films more, which is why I enjoy Alien 3 so much, but Aliens is a complete tour de force and so much fun to watch. It has memorable characters, great design and some spectacular set pieces. I agree with the gripe about the threat and mystique of the Aliens being dilluted but thats the way it goes. I cant understand why you think its boring thoguh since most people who criticise the movie say its too OTT. Lie ridley in Alien, Cameron took time to establish characters and places to immersue you in the Alien universe, something which new film makers chose to ignore.

[piccolodaimaoh]

Hey don't bring Highlander into this, its a kickass movie in its own right... yet I hope no one would defend its sequels. Leave your own dislike of the movies to take a beating w/o bringing in other peoples enjoyable cinema :lol

And really Highlander being equated with Rosie... you could at least give us Courtney Love :huh

You know, Courtney Love is not a bad analogy considering she was once pretty hot, like The People vs Larry Flint and Man on the Moon. But she just has not held up over the years.

[tylerd]

aliens was the best of the four. it was the second and was filled with everything you'd need for a successful sci-fi. maybe the thread starter saw the director's cut and was disappointed of the film flow with the extra footage. start your grinnin' and drop your linen! :lol

[drunk_leprechaun]

Your credibility is null and void here StarWarsFan #109383989090 :D

:rotfl:rotfl:rotfl...bloody star wars fans...:emperor

[Reinhardt]

Miracle, I respect you for stating your opinion so openly in a forum that are clearly filled with Aliens fanatics (me included).

I've showed the movie to many people and they have had similar opinions to you.

As for the first hour, the whole idea was to present a buildup to the mayhem to come. It's all atmosphere, and in my opinion is something lacking in movies today where they jump right into the action (AVPR for example). Plus this way Cameron was able to give time to character development. By the end of the movie, I felt like i knew almost all the characters so well, so that when something DID happen to them, I actually cared for them (or hated them). AVPR just had pointless killing after killing of characters I had met 3 seconds before their death.

I'm glad you atleast liked Alien or this thread would have probably been deleted a long time ago!! :lol

For me, there is nothing that has come close to the experience I've had watching it and the movie just gets better everytime I see it.

[darth dypshyt]

To each their own...but, 99% of people on this board pretty much think that Aliens was a fairly decent movie...myself included.

[shockwave]

Aliens did stink. They died too easily and their blood was not as acidic as it was in the original. You couldn't kill one of the things in the first movie without serious consequences, it took the lack of air in space to vanquish it. In the second film they were dying like flies with a few bursts with a gun.


I love ALIENS but I have to agree that the "Aliens" were killed off very easily. :monkey2 That was my only grip. I still think they are the "perfect organism." :D

[icruise]

Aliens did stink. They died too easily and their blood was not as acidic as it was in the original. You couldn't kill one of the things in the first movie without serious consequences, it took the lack of air in space to vanquish it. In the second film they were dying like flies with a few bursts with a gun.

Well, in Alien they were in outer space with essentially no weapons, and they didn't really know what they were up against for the most of the movie. I don't think it's that unrealistic for a squad of space marines to be able to kill them the way they did. I guess you can say that you don't like the entire "space marines versus aliens" concept (and it is admittedly quite a departure from the atmosphere of the first movie) but I don't think it would make sense to have the aliens be any harder to kill than they were. In Alien the tension came from never know exactly where the alien was. In Aliens, it comes from the fact that the aliens just keep coming, no matter how many you kill or what you do.

A lot of people seem to think that Aliens is about badass marines in battle (and you can certainly enjoy it on that level), but in reality the marines were overconfident and weren't able to successfully battle the aliens despite their superior weaponry. That's a major theme of the movie, and the deleted scene with Hudson going on about what a badass he was really shows this.

[The Chaver]

Miracle, I respect you for stating your opinion so openly in a forum that are clearly filled with Aliens fanatics (me included).

I've showed the movie to many people and they have had similar opinions to you.

As for the first hour, the whole idea was to present a buildup to the mayhem to come. It's all atmosphere, and in my opinion is something lacking in movies today where they jump right into the action (AVPR for example). Plus this way Cameron was able to give time to character development. By the end of the movie, I felt like i knew almost all the characters so well, so that when something DID happen to them, I actually cared for them (or hated them). AVPR just had pointless killing after killing of characters I had met 3 seconds before their death.

I'm glad you atleast liked Alien or this thread would have probably been deleted a long time ago!! :lol

For me, there is nothing that has come close to the experience I've had watching it and the movie just gets better everytime I see it.


Talk about build up,I don't think anyone was expecting Ripley do face off with the Queen at the end as a grand finale in Aliens.I was totally surprised and what a surprise it was.

[The ill Jedi]

Am I the only one who thought ALIENS kinda sucked?
Uhh, YEAH!!:emperor

You are insane if you think ALIENS sucked! It is one of my all time favorite movies and has some of the most memorable characters and moments in the history of film!!! :rock

[Jamal]

Ive said to a friend of mine who also loves the series that i think Aliens is one of the top 5 movies of all time, i stand by that

[Les Walker]

This is the funniest thread title of all time! :rotfl:lol

When I stopped laughing, I thought to myself, thank GOD someone is brave enough to say how they feel about a movie in the face of a large and organized group of enthusiasts that think in the contrary. I mean, it is all TASTE and no one can possibly quantify taste. I applaud the gumption it took to say that title in this website, even though I do not agree with it.

I for one, totally love ALIEN best of the series. Always will. None of the others will ever compare to me. It's a personal experience, and preference thing. But, that is me. No way would I ever tell someone else which is BEST like I know all. How silly and egocentric. In fact, I have really come to love ALIEN 3 in recent years, and find it's dialogue and acting better than ALIENS, but I digress...I simply love all the films, and enjoy the very wide responses to all these amazing films from so many people.
I even know a guy that like Alien Resurrection the best of all the ALien movies. Is that wrong? No. It cannot be quantified.

As for toys, and this is a toy collectors site primarily, Aliens has more FUN ones. You know, marines with interchangeable and customizable gear, alien warriors that can be nuanced with abandon (and creatively interpreted by Hot Toys even though they did NOT look like what we got :cool: ... Still...) but, again, I digress.

Aliens has a huge following. No reason it can not be defended as a great film. Alien has one too. It's almost like the very old Beatles vs the Rolling Stones kind of argument. They both rocked, and were legends, and are likeable, but no matter what, one or the other pulls at certain preferences in the likers. The Alien films are the same. To declare one or the other THE BEST is foolish in the long run, because there will always be someone out there that will see them differently. And for me, that is what make it all worthwhile.

Thank God we live in a diverse world.

But, still.....

A L I E N IS BETTER! :D :rock

But ALIENS is, TO ME, one of the very best and original sequels EVER made! EVER. So...there.

Interesting tactic this thread. Fun too. It's always fun to defend one's opinions. :D

[abake]

Before I get lynched, let me explain. I first saw ALIENS on TCM a few years ago, and it was the first Alien film I had ever seen. I originally found the film too long and pretty boring, with all of the good stuff saved for the very end. As a fan of the Predator and Terminator films, I was expecting another fun *****-to-the-wall 80's action flick. Sure it had a couple of neat scenes, but as an overall film, it was really dissapointing.

Flash foward to a few weeks ago. I finally saw Ridley Scott's original ALIEN. It is without a doubt one of the scariest films I've ever seen, and a genuinely suspensful thriller. Sure it was a bit slow at parts, and it probably wouldn't hurt if 10-15 minutes were cut throughout the film to pick up the pacing. Still, I'm not complaining. I was in awe of the special effects, art direction and set design. This is one of those sci-fi flicks like the original STAR WARS, where the film's look has a timeless quality, and the EFX blow the CGI crap of today out of the water. Overall, it's probably one of my all time favorite sci-fi or monster movies.

So tonight, I had a little double feature thatnks to Cinemax. I got to watch my beloved ALIEN, and saw that it was followed by the Cameron-helmed sequel. I decided that maybe ALIENS would be alot better the second time around, since I had seen the original.

I'm sorry to say that it wasn't. My GOD, is ALIENS a boring film, and people say the same about the original. Aside from Hicks and Bishop, most of the characters weren't as likeable as those in the original. Some like Hudson were downright annoying. The set design was alot less Giger-inspired than the sets in the original, and seemed more TERMINATOR than ALIEN (well, whaddaya expect with Cameron directing?) The first hour seemed to drag forever, and in the end most of it was unnessescary. However, the few action scenes in the film were well done and exciting, but never made me jump like the ones in the original. The only part of the film I genuinely liked was the last half hour (which in essence, mirrored the climax of the original.)

Even the Aliens suffered. I liked how the Alien in the original was intelligent and manipulative. We also had no idea what it was. Now, it's just a giant mindless insect. At least the Queen creature was neat.

The thing is, ALIENS had so much potential. The marines were pretty bad-***, and the idea of using more aliens in an action flick is a great one, I just don't think Cameron did a good job of executing it. I think if he had tightened up the script, shortening the first half of the film, and collaborated with H.R. Giger for the film's look, it would have been a much better film.
It is obvious that Cameron wanted to pick up where Scott left off and wanted to do his own thing with it. He suceeded, but in my opinion, the finished film wasn't as good as Scott's.

But hey, that's just me. What do I know?

Buahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Best title for a thread ever!

I understand your feelings completely.
I don't think Aliens downright sucks, but I do believe it is a highly over rated movie. Of course it hurts it a lot that the archetype of "bad ***" it pioneered turned into a cliché afterwards under the hand of less skilled directors and writers.

And I'll leave it at that. I still enjoy it immensely, but to me Alien is the masterpiece. :D

[Shropt]

Alien > Alien 3 > Aliens

None of the other movies count in my eyes.

Aliens only gets third billing because I hate movies with little kids.

[Les Walker]

...but to me Alien is the masterpiece. :D

I knew there was something ok about you Albrecht.
What was it John Wayne always said, "You'll do!" :D

[BadMoon]

Thread rated accordingly. :moon:moon:moon:moon:moon:moon:moon

[wookster]

Wow Dr M, you have ***** of steel, but I strangely see where you're coming from.
Don't get me wrong I love Aliens, but to me it's another movie that shows Cameron should have kept to 'original' ideas as his first Terminator, though flawed was his finest hour.
So for me, in my most humble of opinion it has to be 'Scotts' Alien in pole position, it is as you said abake a bona fide, all time Classic (note the cap C). Then it has to be Finchers vision in Alien 3, and it has to be the special edition with the oxen at the begining (as you point out Les the acting in 3 is far superior, Charles Dance, Brian Glover and Ralph Brown all turned in great performances, I also take it any 'Withnail and I' fans realise Ralph also played Danny, the purveyor of rare herbs), then Camerons Aliens, a great movie and very of it's time, but looking at the series with hind-sight I'm sorry to say it's slipped to third for me. But I genuinly love them all... well Resurection aside, I watched it again the other night and it's just sooo meh!

[Blake]

Alien was one of the greatest horror movies ever made.

Aliens was one of the greatest action movies ever made.

They are both masterworks in their respective genres.

[Jen]

I loved Alien and Aliens.....Now that third one with Winona Ryder...that's a whole different story....:monkey4:monkey4

[darth dypshyt]

I loved Alien and Aliens.....Now that third one with Winona Ryder...that's a whole different story....:monkey4:monkey4

I am sure others will say it too...but that was the 4th one.:D David Finchers 3rd Alien was a good movie. Not ALIEN by any stretch...but, I enjoyed it..

[Jen]

I am sure others will say it too...but that was the 4th one.:D David Finchers 3rd Alien was a good movie. Not ALIEN by any stretch...but, I enjoyed it..

You are right!!! :oI'm glad I threw in Winona Ryder so everyone would know which one I was talking about. :lol

[Hollis DZC]

Look, here's the deal. Most horror/monster/ whatever/ feature a monster that either takes out dummies and / or people with very little to defend themselves with. Alien had a crew that had to rig up weapontry to take on and unknown nastie.

Aliens was the first film to feature professional soldiers going after monsters. Armed, armored, with cool weapontry and gadgets they captured our interest from the get-go. Watching it unfold on the big screen for the first time, not on a dvd, it was captivating. On a dvd, it's still awesome, but on the big screen it's incredible. And just a couple years earlier Alien had debuted, so this was payback for the crew of the Nostromo in a manner of speaking.
You can't judge a 20 year old movie by today's standards. Instead judge it by it's peers in 1985-1990.

Today's attitudes are different. One can argue more sophisticated, more judgemental. That's just the way it is. One can argue it was based on another era, Vietnam. The graffiti on the armor, the attitude of the command, etc. And that's coming from a good friend who served in Vietnam, Chris Chulamanis.

Yes, the Alien had changed. Had to change to allow armed, armored professional soldiers to be overrun by sheer numbers.

We had heroism, defiance, courage,betrayal, everything that makes up a good adventure. And that was excellent adventure.

Plus, it debuted the single most awesome weapon in sci-fi, the legendary Pulse Rifle. :D
While by conventional military standards, the red ammo counter, the shoulder lamp basically said "Look, here I am", it was damn cool looking. It was radical at the time.
It showed tough males and females in body armor facing overwhelming odds.
They went from confident to demoralized to desperation to standing up to Death and giving him the finger.

You don't have to like it. And I understand your reasoning. But, you need also to understand why we really like it.

Now you know.

The Colonial Marines- created in 1985 and still going strong!

[HigHurtenflurst]

I love ALIENS but I have to agree that the "Aliens" were killed off very easily. :monkey2

20mm explosive tipped caseless. Standard light armor piercing round. Say no MORE!! :D

[Coorectghosting]

I have about as much respect for all the Alien sequels as I do for the Nightmare on Elm Street sequels.

I really hate how they turned the alien into bug. Big step back there

[bubbahotep]

I loved Alien and Aliens, even Alien3 (fan of David Fincher, not to mention Charles Dutton)..heck even parts of resurrection were decent, i.e., swimming scenes, but Bishop > Ryder as an android without a doubt.

[eighthsamurai]

you know what was wrong with aliens?

THAT IT WASN'T ABOUT 4 HOURS LONGER!!! :rock
i'm a child of the 80s. i grew up with rambo, arnie, mcclane and other such badass mofos. so ripley in her aliens incarnation (along with hicks) appeals to me much more than her horror incarnation. i love both, but aliens makes me nostalgiac. maybe it's a generational thing.

[Jamal]

I wish they could have lasted abit longer in the survival horror with the Aliens, the suspense of the Aliens trying to get in made that film man on so many levels! :chew:chew

[wofford29]

I don't think Alien or Aliens or anything with the franchise title in it is any good. Never have, and as for Predator, it stops after the first for me.

[Jamal]

WOAH WOAH...

Thats a big call lol:maul

[Les Walker]

:lol:lol:lol
This thread is still here.... :rotfl

As for the ALIEN ALIENS indestructible in one, easy to kill in two, deal....
They couldn't use guns in one, due to acid blood and spaceship..."We don't dare kill it!"....but in Aliens, of course, pulse rifles and my favorite weapon, SMART GUNS, lay waste! No problemo! Easy killin's! Except for blood spray of course...poor old Drake...:monkey2 Anyway, I hate when that comes up AGAIN and AGAIN....does anyone watch and listen? It's all there. :D Same critters. Same problems. No news. I'd say they are pretty consistant. :monkey1

[-=LoneWolf=-]

Aliens might have become a little dusty over the years, but it's definitely one of the most satisfying sci-fi action films i've ever seen. but Alien is still better :lol

[Snowtrooper]

I still like Aliens to this day. Even by todays standards, it is still a pretty good action film. It was a worthy successor, but will never be as good as the original was.

[uscmhicks]

is this thread for real.. ?

[Idioteque]

Good on ya for a strong and contentious opinion.

However, I disagree.

ALIEN - Masterpiece
ALIENS - Cracking sequel
ALIEN3 - Grows better each year

I don't count the rest.

[gdb]

Here's the thing about action films and comedies: they don't age well. Gags get tired after awhile and both type of films are really grounded in the era that they are made -- just look at any Jerry Lewis film today and realize that he was HUGE in his day. Aliens is a sci-fi film and a great one but above all it is an action film. Alien is a suspense film. They age better. And even if they didn't, Alien, like Ridley Scott's other sci-fi film Blade Runner has a larger sci-fi element and those types of films age better than suspense films.

So yeah, today's audiences are more prone to think that Aliens kinda sucks. It doesn't suck, but today's audiences are going to have a different reaction than audiences in the 80s.

[Riko]

Before I get lynched, let me explain. I first saw ALIENS on TCM a few years ago, and it was the first Alien film I had ever seen. I originally found the film too long and pretty boring, with all of the good stuff saved for the very end. As a fan of the Predator and Terminator films, I was expecting another fun *****-to-the-wall 80's action flick. Sure it had a couple of neat scenes, but as an overall film, it was really dissapointing.

Flash foward to a few weeks ago. I finally saw Ridley Scott's original ALIEN. It is without a doubt one of the scariest films I've ever seen, and a genuinely suspensful thriller. Sure it was a bit slow at parts, and it probably wouldn't hurt if 10-15 minutes were cut throughout the film to pick up the pacing. Still, I'm not complaining. I was in awe of the special effects, art direction and set design. This is one of those sci-fi flicks like the original STAR WARS, where the film's look has a timeless quality, and the EFX blow the CGI crap of today out of the water. Overall, it's probably one of my all time favorite sci-fi or monster movies.

So tonight, I had a little double feature thatnks to Cinemax. I got to watch my beloved ALIEN, and saw that it was followed by the Cameron-helmed sequel. I decided that maybe ALIENS would be alot better the second time around, since I had seen the original.

I'm sorry to say that it wasn't. My GOD, is ALIENS a boring film, and people say the same about the original. Aside from Hicks and Bishop, most of the characters weren't as likeable as those in the original. Some like Hudson were downright annoying. The set design was alot less Giger-inspired than the sets in the original, and seemed more TERMINATOR than ALIEN (well, whaddaya expect with Cameron directing?) The first hour seemed to drag forever, and in the end most of it was unnessescary. However, the few action scenes in the film were well done and exciting, but never made me jump like the ones in the original. The only part of the film I genuinely liked was the last half hour (which in essence, mirrored the climax of the original.)

Even the Aliens suffered. I liked how the Alien in the original was intelligent and manipulative. We also had no idea what it was. Now, it's just a giant mindless insect. At least the Queen creature was neat.

The thing is, ALIENS had so much potential. The marines were pretty bad-***, and the idea of using more aliens in an action flick is a great one, I just don't think Cameron did a good job of executing it. I think if he had tightened up the script, shortening the first half of the film, and collaborated with H.R. Giger for the film's look, it would have been a much better film.
It is obvious that Cameron wanted to pick up where Scott left off and wanted to do his own thing with it. He suceeded, but in my opinion, the finished film wasn't as good as Scott's.

But hey, that's just me. What do I know?


will not flame you, but sting you...a bit :)

nono
you have to see them as 2 different types of movie, the main-genre of Alien was: thriller-suspense-alone in the dark. More a pyscological kinda approuch whereas Aliens was a real neat mean fighting machine action flick :)

As much how I like and love Alien, the franchise starter (let's not forget, it all began with this movie, and thank god for Alien and Ridley Scott and Giger of course) I prefer Aliens :)

not because I dislike Alien, but I like the action approach from Aliens more than the psychological one in Alien.

And it is common to see that most of the fans of the franchichise liked Aliens more than Alien, but hey, there are a few opposite opinions of people who prefer Alien above Aliens, that is okay! I cannot see why :p but that is okay :)

however: saying it sucks is going to far :rolleyes:!

[Riko]

No, but I thought it was alright. ALIENS was definitely a technically better film of course, but AVP-R wasn't bad to kill 90 minutes, either.

now I've read this, I actually CAN say without being bad in judgement:

someone who has no critic or is soft at the least for a film like AvP:R ánd who dislikes Aliens...sorry: but you have no taste what so ever :)

I can conclude that just by your posts here.


about Aliens, and the prefered approuche from Cameron:
it is different (nog better) from Ridley, because:
- the action, was on going...you say boring, I say: were you on drugs?
- the military stuff: dropship, apc, guns, flamethrower
- sfx, you simply got more to see than in Alien: facehuggers
- the photograpy: being an action flick, this allowed more for Cameron to do his thing :)
- The Queen: no explanation needed, you even said it yourself, that last scene is Legendary!
- Power loader...:cool:
- THE MUSIC woow, the Queen vs Powerloader was awsome :)

damn there is just so much! you cannot ever be bored by it!

one last time: how could you give AvP:R a break and bash on Aliens :monkey2
AvP:R directors should have wachted Aliens before making this movie!
wich they clearly did NOT :)

and maybe that explains why you like AvP:R more than Aliens? hmm
so you like the: I-cannot-see-what-the-****-is-happning-on-screen-action flick huh

[Riko]

Aliens did stink. They died too easily and their blood was not as acidic as it was in the original. You couldn't kill one of the things in the first movie without serious consequences, it took the lack of air in space to vanquish it. In the second film they were dying like flies with a few bursts with a gun.

that is a rathter strange remark, becaus you are viewing aliens from the alien-point of view.

why do that? when you watch a movie, you watch the movie by it's own...otherwise you never can enjoy the approach of the new movie.
damn, aliens is action! alien is psycological :) of course they die faster! If it took a whole squad of marines a whole year to kill one alien, than it would be a very dull movie!

but okay, you simply ignore the superiority in story telling and technical specs in Aliens just because "they died faster as in Alien" :rolleyes:
that is okay, I guess

[Riko]

People can talk **** about sequels like PREDATOR 2 all day and night, so what makes ALIENS so untouchable?



ow, I do not know, besides being the only film of THIS genre (action-sci-fi-monster) I remind that actually won 2 oscars and was nominated for another 5 oscars :D

only thing AvP:R is going to "win" more than Aliens are Razzie-awards, mark these words :D

[Riko]

I'm going to have to agree with Rob...

The fact is, as great as ALIENS was, as a movie...we have Cameron to thank for turning them into nothing more than big bugs. Fodder for whatever comes along and "pokes a stick at the nest".

This is why we have the type of Alien we have in movies today. Everyone wants to smack Anderson around for his "raptor" Aliens, but it was Cameron that started the ball rolling.

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE the movie. But that bit of film really is the turning point for these creatures.


they were different kind of aliens as in the movie Alien

weren't the Warriors in Aliens kinda like the bees who protected the Queen....
oh yeah, there was Queen in Aliens as I remembered :)

point is, everybody liked the Queen (I guess :confused:) so it is inevitable that when you got yourself a Queen, you got some Aliens behaving like big bugs...

that wasn't a problem, I enjoyed it, such as the most of the aliens-going people, and isn't that what counts?

[Riko]

Aliens is a sci-fi film and a great one but above all it is an action film. Alien is a suspense film. They age better. And even if they didn't, Alien, like Ridley Scott's other sci-fi film Blade Runner has a larger sci-fi element and those types of films age better than suspense films.

So yeah, today's audiences are more prone to think that Aliens kinda sucks. It doesn't suck, but today's audiences are going to have a different reaction than audiences in the 80s.

than the level of the audience sucks if you follow your thinking..

I think not! Maybe all the youngsters (<15) yes, but the broad older moviegoing public still want descent story telling.
About the suspense films, I kinda agree!
But I disagree about the action movies, all movies age well as long as those movie have good solid story telling...therefor Aliens will live forever (same with Die Hard, first 2 terminators,...)

but a good story in an action flick and it becomes interesting, make a mindless action flick and it will be forgotten.
AvP:R will be remembered...for how bad it was.

[BillyBudd]

I think the degree to which either Alien or Aliens drags during the first half depends largely on who is watching the film with you. I don't know about you guys, but the level of enjoyment of other people can actually affect my experience. For this reason, I watch certain types of movies by myself a lot...horror and drama, especially. Sometimes I go solo to the theater, too. It's nice to not have to worry about whether someone else is getting bored.

Anyway, I love both Alien and Aliens, and I own both on DVD. As others have mentioned, both films are science fiction, but Alien is more of a horror/suspense film, and Aliens is more of an action film. In my opinion, Alien is the superior film. Why? It's the original, and horror/suspense is harder to do well. I appreciate a good horror/suspense movie more than a good action movie.

[RJMacReady16]

Couldn't you be clinically diagnosed as "retarded" if you think Aliens sucked?

[danfaz]

I'm going to have to agree with Rob...

The fact is, as great as ALIENS was, as a movie...we have Cameron to thank for turning them into nothing more than big bugs. Fodder for whatever comes along and "pokes a stick at the nest".

This is why we have the type of Alien we have in movies today. Everyone wants to smack Anderson around for his "raptor" Aliens, but it was Cameron that started the ball rolling.

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE the movie. But that bit of film really is the turning point for these creatures.


I concur, Dr.

[Slingblade]

That and I sure as hell wouldn't compare ALIEN to O'Donnel.:monkey4

I wouldnt either, the Alien is much better looking.

[barryo]

ok, food for thought, if aliens was released as alien 2 or "aliens" (without cameron) and set at the same pace as alien the first movie............what then?..........a certain number of people (probably a majority) would say, "ah hell, its just a knock off of the first alien"........but for the times it was released when movies were just screaming for the kind of pace it was actually filmed at it was exactly what the budding franchise needed. if you weren't a young person, say a teenager or close to that when it was released, which is basically the target audience of the 80's & 90's, you may not understand. i guess its easier to armchair quarterback 22 years later and say it sucked or could have been better if they did this or that, but imho, for the times "aliens" was a kick *** non stop action movie that definitely "DID NOT SUCK". :D

[Dr.Mirakle32]

ok, food for thought, if aliens was released as alien 2 or "aliens" (without cameron) and set at the same pace as alien the first movie............what then?..........a certain number of people (probably a majority) would say, "ah hell, its just a knock off of the first alien"........but for the times it was released when movies were just screaming for the kind of pace it was actually filmed at it was exactly what the budding franchise needed. if you weren't a young person, say a teenager or close to that when it was released, which is basically the target audience of the 80's & 90's, you may not understand. i guess its easier to armchair quarterback 22 years later and say it sucked or could have been better if they did this or that, but imho, for the times "aliens" was a kick *** non stop action movie that definitely "DID NOT SUCK". :D

I like the idea of Cameron making the sequel an action film. I just WISH the overall film actually was a "kick *** non stop action movie", instead of dragging the first 2/3rds of the movie out (without even the cool Giger visuals,) and saving all the good stuff for the last thrity minutes.

Again, it had good points. But overall as an standalone film, it still left me dissapointed. That's why I said it "kinda" sucked.

[icruise]

Frankly, it's that way of thinking that brought us stuff like AVP, with no build-up, no recognizable characters, and battles that start practically immedately. The fact that they spend so much time building up the characters and the world of Aliens is precisely why it is great, and why the climax is so rewarding. There isn't a second of that movie that I would call boring.

[gabberjawa]

I don't think it sucked, but it was no Alien.

[Riko]

I think the degree to which either Alien or Aliens drags during the first half depends largely on who is watching the film with you. I don't know about you guys, but the level of enjoyment of other people can actually affect my experience. For this reason, I watch certain types of movies by myself a lot...horror and drama, especially. Sometimes I go solo to the theater, too. It's nice to not have to worry about whether someone else is getting bored.

Anyway, I love both Alien and Aliens, and I own both on DVD. As others have mentioned, both films are science fiction, but Alien is more of a horror/suspense film, and Aliens is more of an action film. In my opinion, Alien is the superior film. Why? It's the original, and horror/suspense is harder to do well. I appreciate a good horror/suspense movie more than a good action movie.

WHAT IF: Aliens was the first movie, followed by Alien?....

than people would praise Aliens even more than they do now I think, because than it would be "the original" :rolleyes:

I think it's bull**** to say that a movie is good or better than a sequel ONLY because it's "the original", because let's face it, some sequels are better than the original (for example T2) but not always! (and I am not speaking about Aliens, because Aliens is a different kind of movie than Alien, I do not consider it to be better)
But I'm just saying, "the original"-argument is a bad argument for praising a movie above the sequel...especially when the sequel is a whole differend kind of movie. So I have a problem with people saying Alien was better than Aliens using that argument of it being the original movie.

[Mudshark]

It looks like this has turned into an "Alien vs Aliens" thread, or maybe that's what it was intended to be from the start, I don't know. I refrained from commenting when it was first posted because I was afraid it would only stir up this age old debate, and I really had no interest in rehashing the same old arguments over and over again... but since it has already been stirred up, then I might as well add my two cents worth and be done with it.

I loved and enjoyed both movies for different reasons, because they were different movies. I waited in anticipation for the premiere of Alien back when there was no internet and Fox was successfully able to keep any pictures or details of the film from being leaked until it hit the theaters. I believe that had a lot to do with the initial impact it had on me. I was thinking about it for weeks after I'd seen it, and I started collecting every magazine, Giger art book and anything else I could find related to Alien back then. To this day, Alien is the only movie I can remember that ever made me feel like sleeping with the lights on, and I wasn't just a kid!

I was cautiously skeptical when I went to see the premiere of Aliens, but I could see from the start that it was an entirely different approach to the telling of Ripley's story, and I really enjoyed that. I didn't think it "kinda sucked" at all. It most definitely did not suck! The only real critical thought I had when I left the theater was that I believed the weapons technology of the marines' small arms would have been much more evolved by that time, but I loved the marines themselves, and their weapons were still really cool, especially the smart-guns and pulse rifles. Unfortunately, the robot sentry guns were not featured in the theatrical release! :monkey2

Edit: For the record, these are just my initial impressions about these movies when I saw them for the first time in theaters years ago. My feelings have certainly changed over the years, and I came to love much more about Aliens with repeated viewings. I got to watch the special edition when it was released in Japan a few years before it was even available in the states (I searched everywhere for a copy, but nobody had ever heard of it!), and those added 17 minutes just made it so much better. Hudson's drop ship speech and the robot sentry gun sequences were priceless discoveries. I never tire of watching it, not ever. I certainly don't expect other people to feel the same way as I do, especially if they didn't experience it at the same time I did. That made a huge difference, 'cause there was really nothing like it to compare with it back then.

Aliens is a science fiction classic in its own right, and I refuse to compare it with Alien for the sake of argument. Just my two cents. 'Nuff said. :D

[hydrobud]

Okay guys, keep the flaming to a minimum. I WILL lock this thread if I have to.
:lol:rotfl:lol:rotfl:lol:rotfl

[DarkArtist81]

Well, I also think it may be a generational thing... I'm younger, and saw Aliens first. So seeing Alien was "going back to the beginning" for me, and was really about me seeing where the idea germinated and began.

I LOVE Aliens, and I also love Alien. Hell, I even liked Alien 3 to a degree. All films except the original were different, given the artistic urges of their directors. And I love that about this series. The only sad part is, that post Alien 3... things go downhill for the design of the creatures and their stories.

But before that, it was a film series for the most creative of directors. Cameron's Aliens film is one of my favorite films of all time. But Ridley's Alien is a masterpiece as well. Ridley Scott is a genius, not very many of his films have I ever disliked.

I commend you Dr Mirakle for being brave and asking for opinions..:cool:

[Mudshark]

I actually haven't bothered to read anything beyond the first couple of pages since the thread first posted, 'cause I could see the writing on the wall... I don't have anything against people discussing differences of opinion, flaming or otherwise, but in this particular case, it wouldn't bother me a bit if Dave locked this one up for good! :monkey1

[icruise]

Actually it's been pretty civil.

[Riko]

Actually it's been pretty civil.

²

there wasn't actually any reason to be otherwise :)...yet :)
This is due to the fact that the starter of the topic did not actually and litteraly bashed on "Aliens" :monkey3

[Mudshark]

Well, that's good to hear! If I'd been following the thread then I'm sure my remarks would've reflected that. I guess this has been brewing in the back of my mind for a while, which is probably obvious as hell! :o :monkey3

I've probably heard mostly heated arguments over the years, rather than civil discussions, enough to last me a lifetime, and it all basically just boils down to individual tastes and differing points of view in the end. It is kind of interesting to hear what newer generations of Alien fans have to say about it, but from my own perspective, I've heard a lot of the same kind of comments before... and then some. :monkey1

DA Josh's opinions are very close to my own. Alien 3 was just a little disappointing due to the way the deaths of Hicks and Newt were handled, but from there on the movie was yet another new and very entertaining approach to the telling of Ripley's story. The fourth was entertaining, but it lacked the focus and originality that made each of the other movies so great. The ending was, well....

Okay, I've gone and done just what I've been trying to avoid doing, but now that I've said my piece, for what it's worth, I'll let it rest. Have at it guys! :D

[Blackhole]

Am I the only one who thought ALIENS kinda sucked?

Yes...yes you are...

It's not boring and slow, it's suspenseful and atmosphere building...

Well...I guess everyone has their own opinions...

As for me...ALIENS will always have it's place at #2 in my top 10 films ever...

:rock

[Shai]

Alien > Aliens

[Riko]

As for me...ALIENS will always have it's place at #2 in my top 10 films ever...

:rock

number 1, let me guess? The Empire Strikes Back? :D

[Grange Wallis]

The only reason I didn't like Aliens as much as the original, was because they dropped like flys and became weak in my eyes. Far enough they were USMC killing the aliens, but I would have been better if they had less aliens with better tactics of Killing off the human characters... Stalker them and poncing of them at the right time rather than just walking up to them in packs and overwelming them with numbers!

[icruise]

The only reason I didn't like Aliens as much as the original, was because they dropped like flys and became weak in my eyes. Far enough they were USMC killing the aliens, but I would have been better if they had less aliens with better tactics of Killing off the human characters... Stalker them and poncing of them at the right time rather than just walking up to them in packs and overwelming them with numbers!

Sounds kind of like you want Predator, but with an alien instead.

[Blackhole]

number 1, let me guess? The Empire Strikes Back? :D

How the hell did you know that???

Are you stalking me???

:emperor

[Riko]

How the hell did you know that???

Are you stalking me???

:emperor

just using my brains here :)

your avatar etc = star wars related...
and as a movie-freak I know that episode V is considered the best star wars movie, and also one of thé best movies ever of all time...

so, it wasn't that hard :)

[plasmid303]

Alien > Aliens > Alien 3 > Alien Resurrection > the AVp movies.

Is it bad that I never liked the Queen? Never really liked the design...

[Blackhole]

just using my brains here :)

your avatar etc = star wars related...
and as a movie-freak I know that episode V is considered the best star wars movie, and also one of thé best movies ever of all time...

so, it wasn't that hard :)

Then I bow to your wisdom...

:bow:bow:bow

[abake]

It's funny that this very same discussion is taking place on another board.

The main reason I think Alien is better than Aliens (and I don't think Aliens sucks, not by a long shot), is simply because the alien is much more frightening.
In Aliens, they just became space monsters, they became social animals, whereas in Alien, it truly was an abomination.

[Jamal]

Aliens was scary and suspenseful but i think Alien had that **** SCARY factor to it

[danfaz]

It looks like this has turned into an "Alien vs Aliens" thread...

Aliens is a science fiction classic in its own right, and I refuse to compare it with Alien for the sake of argument. Just my two cents. 'Nuff said. :D

Yeah, now that you mention it, there is no reason we should be comparing the two.

The poster's question was lost...

[Rob]

It's funny that this very same discussion is taking place on another board.

The main reason I think Alien is better than Aliens (and I don't think Aliens sucks, not by a long shot), is simply because the alien is much more frightening.
In Aliens, they just became space monsters, they became social animals, whereas in Alien, it truly was an abomination.That's how I feel aswell. Same with the Assembly Cut of ALIEN3.

[Riko]

Alien > Aliens > Alien 3 > Alien Resurrection > the AVp movies.

Is it bad that I never liked the Queen? Never really liked the design...

it is of course not bad that you do not like the design of something, that is pure personal!

but I would find it hard to believe that you disliked the scenes in the movie where the queen was involved......:rolleyes:
that was pure climactic class :cool:

another example: the Tumbler batmobile, I can believe the batman-fans do not like the design, but those same batman-fans love the scenes in the movie...


we were talking about the movie in general, not the specific design of one creature.

[Riko]

Then I bow to your wisdom...

:bow:bow:bow
:D
again: why bow ? :confused:

just told ya: it wasn't that hard to figure it out...:rolleyes:

[Blackhole]

:D
again: why bow ? :confused:

just told ya: it wasn't that hard to figure it out...:rolleyes:

Lol...I'm so overly-humble...

Everyone I talk to has a different Alien as their favourite...

[Jamal]

I look at the whole saga the same, AWESOME and i dont know if any of them could have been done any better imo

[Hollis DZC]

Edit: For the record, these are just my initial impressions about these movies when I saw them for the first time in theaters years ago. My feelings have certainly changed over the years, and I came to love much more about Aliens with repeated viewings. I got to watch the special edition when it was released in Japan a few years before it was even available in the states (I searched everywhere for a copy, but nobody had ever heard of it!), and those added 17 minutes just made it so much better. Hudson's drop ship speech and the robot sentry gun sequences were priceless discoveries. I never tire of watching it, not ever. I certainly don't expect other people to feel the same way as I do, especially if they didn't experience it at the same time I did. That made a huge difference, 'cause there was really nothing like it to compare with it back then.


Mudshark, I could not agree with you more. We try to make what to us is an obvious point, yet it appears to continually be overlooked or disregarded.

Try telling the Colonial Marines at DragonCon that Aliens sucked...that would be quite fun! :rotfl:rotfl:rotfl

[icruise]

Yes, Alien could be the best movie of all time, but that still doesn't mean that Aliens sucks. I think Alien may be the better movie by a bit, if only because of its atmosphere and the fact that it started the whole Alien universe. But it's very hard to compare the two directly, and I actually find myself watching Aliens more.

[Mudshark]

Mudshark, I could not agree with you more. We try to make what to us is an obvious point, yet it appears to continually be overlooked or disregarded.

Try telling the Colonial Marines at DragonCon that Aliens sucked...that would be quite fun! :rotfl:rotfl:rotfl

I hear ya, bro. It's obvious from reading through all the posts that there's a lot of diversity in how we've all experienced the movies, and to no small degree, when we experienced them. It may not seem like much, but it makes a real difference in one's point of view. That's basically why I don't go in for trying to decide which Alien movie was "best".

I still remember when I first went to see Aliens when it hit theaters here in Japan. When I left the theater a couple of hours later I was totally pumped with adrenaline, I mean jacked, just like I'd just been in a firefight or something... from watching a movie! And the girl I took with me on a first date left finger nail impressions in my arm that I didn't even notice until a few days later! (I think it was Queenie that really scared the crap out of her, especially when she ripped poor Bishop in half...) And not surprisingly, that turned out to be our first, and last date! :lol:rotfl:rotfl:lol

The girl is now long forgotten (except for that), but Aliens is still, and will always be, one of my all time favorites! :D

[Blackhole]

I know how to solve this...for me anyway...

Alien is the best...

But my favourite is Aliens...

There...now I'm happy...

[Voorhees27]

Holy ****! 13 pages.............I guess the movie didn't suck dude.

[PROWL]

gha, has this hell spawn not died yet?:emperor:maul:p

[uscmhicks]

Aliens was a movie very different from the first in ways that made some viewers a little scared to step into the genre deeper. It changed from a dark and very moody horror to more of a space marine ( yet brilliant ) action flick.
To take such a huge step between the two places was indeed risky for the alien genre itself but if it wasn't for the second movie nowadays alien (meaning the whole series ) wouldn't be the classic it is. Even if you don't like the movies you have to like the design and concept of the creature , its undeniably an amazing movie concept. Its just about being able to get into it and if you can you never leave again.
" Once you put it in the dvd player no one can hear you scream "

[Dr.Mirakle32]

You know what? I really wanted to like this movie, and I still do, just for whatever reason, I can't get into it. I've seen the movie a couple of times, always hoping to love it, yet for some reason I'm always dissapointed until the very end, which makes the first 2/3rds seem like tedious crap (which to me, wasn't as suspensful, or had as much character development as ALIEN's first hour.)

I'm sorry I can't enjoy the ENTIRE film as much as other people can.

[uscmhicks]

maybe because your watching it in the mood of knowing you don't like it much and you can only wait until the end really your not enjoying it much.
You should watch the first then the second over either a day or whenever you get the spare time. Really just shut the curtains or if you have a cinema which I know some of you do ( not me :monkey2 ) sit in there and really concentrate.
You may appreciate it more , just a thought is all. I really want you to like it now ...:monkey2:monkey2 :lol

[pjam]

This thread belongs in Other discussion...

Can someone PLEASE move it? Like Now... LOL.

Other Discussion
Movies, television shows, interesting sites and other general discussion.

[Mudshark]

I second the motion. :D

[mikram]

Aliens is one of the best movies ever madeeeeeeeeee!

[tylerd]

nercroposter alert!!!!!!!!

[OK SITHLORD]

nercroposter alert!!!!!!!!

:lol:lol Get him tylerd!

[Malice]

no you suck:monkey5:monkey1 aliens was and is a freakin' masterpiece. watch th directors cut:monkey3

[hairlesswookiee]

no you suck:monkey5:monkey1 aliens was and is a freakin' masterpiece. watch th directors cut:monkey3

what he said!!! i finally bought it and watched it about 10 times. i'll probably get flamed for this, but its my favorite movie in the Alien franchise.

[zoid2323]

Aliens rocked!:rock

[ozzfan84]

I also prefer the first one. Just the Alien design alone for me makes the first one far superior. I also like Scott better as a director.

[Mudshark]

Oh no... here we go again! I thought this thread had thankfully died and been LONG FORGOTTEN! Seriously, what's the point in stirring up this can of worms again? Let it DIE fer cryin' out loud!!!!

[Zabrak Nut]

Well, let's see... I haven't been on the Internet in a while, so I felt the need to add a bit to this thread (even though most of you would have it be long dead by now...).
ALIENS is one of my favorite films, but so is ALIEN; I don't believe I prefer either one, 'though I have to say that watching ALIENS multiple times is more enjoyable than watching ALIEN multiple times - I've done both, and while ALIEN is still quite enjoyable, it loses a bit... just A BIT... of kick (that's not mentioning the obvious fact that it's not as frightening... though I will never, EVER stop having nightmares about these SOB's... no matter how much I LOVE the movies, my dreams have been scarred.... THANKS Giger :rotfl)

NOW, for something TRULY deserving of a flaming/lynching/State excecution:

SW: ANH IS PERHAPS MY LEAST FAVORITE OF THE SIX FILMS>>>>....:horror
BAM!!! I just slapped 500 million people across the face. I will die now...
(actually, I'm not real big on AOTC, but I only liked ANH a LITTLE better...)

I was never REALLY impressed w/ it - even though it opened up one of the greatest sagas in creative history...

[Zabrak Nut]

Also, I find the 80's ALIENS film grain actually makes it creepier - don't ask me what that's about - I suppose it makes you feel like you're not catching everything that's going on or something - sort of how your vision in such a place is more limited - nobody "sees in HD"...
That was a pretty poor explanation, but oh well...

[Mudshark]

That's cool, go for it! I'm just going to delete this thread from my list, as I should have done a long time ago! :)

[tylerd]

No ****!!! I thought this thread had thankfully died and been LONG FORGOTTEN! Seriously, what's the point in stirring up this can of worms again? Let it DIE fer cryin' out loud!!!!

seems when ANYONE necroposts, it's pointed out. i didn't 'stir up' this thread, the necroposter did. so stop trying to kill the messenger.

[Mudshark]

seems when ANYONE necroposts, it's pointed out. i didn't 'stir up' this thread, the necroposter did. so stop trying to kill the messenger.

Sorry, man... you totally read me the wrong way! I'm on your side! I was referring to the necroposter, of course, not you! (I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid!) :lol

Edit: I probably shouldn't have quoted you in my reply... sorry for the misunderstanding! :o :monkey3

[DinoLast]

Alien is one of the best horror movies I have seen. Aliens is one of the best War movies I have seen. I love both.

[CelticPredator]

I saw Aliens when I was 5 or so, saw Res in the theater when I was 6, I watched ALIEN a lot when I was younger, more so then Aliens.....however, I didnt own Aliens at that point...heh. Then when AvP came out (and I loved it for the sake of loving it) I couldnt watch Alien anymore....way too boring! But now, I dont know which I like better, I've watched Alien more then i've watched Aliens (in the past 2 years) so...who knows.

Alien is the better made film. Aliens, while well made, isnt as brilliant as Alien. That being said, ALIENS IS ^^^^ING AWESOME!

[Devil_666]

Different people like different things.. I got somewhat flamed when I tried to explain to people on the Hunters Lair that all the Predator movies were cool but they weren't cinematic masterpieces by any stretch of the imagination. People on there were acting like Predator and Predator 2 were on the same level as like The Godfather or something!? I tried to explain that those movies (and the Alien movies besides the first which was more drama/horror) are ALL popcorn movies. Light on story, heavy on action. They're good for what they are but some fans get so wrapped up into them that they get offended when the truth is spoken. I like things that other people don't like.. I don't defend those things though. I like what I like. I don't need other people to do the same. Some people ain't like that.

Personally I liked Aliens. If you don't.. cool. Doesn't bother me. Can't see why it would bother others.

[Les Walker]

Wow! Is this necro thread still around??? :D
Oh well...Aliens rules! Not as much as ALIEN, but a LOT!
So, there. Opinions are such wonderful things.

[tylerd]

Sorry, man... you totally read me the wrong way! I'm on your side! I was referring to the necroposter, of course, not you! (I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid!) :lol

Edit: I probably shouldn't have quoted you in my reply... sorry for the misunderstanding! :o :monkey3

no apologies necessary. i'm sorry for flaming you in another thread. :o :lol

mudshark, you've always been a very nice board contributor. :peace