James Cameron’s ambitious and kick-ass science fiction movie Aliens was first released in the UK twenty six years ago last month and much debate still surrounds the film:
Is it really better than Ridley Scott’s more cerebral and perhaps more iconic original film Alien?
Is it better than Prometheus for that matter?
Is it the greatest sequel of all time?
Is it the best movie James Cameron ever made?
Is it the greatest sci-fi or action movie ever?
The answer to all those questions is a resounding YES.
Indeed, here’s 50 reasons (in no particular order) why it might just be the greatest film of all time:
50. Proved That There Was A Good Way To Sequel Alien
For many Alien is the standout sci-fi/horror genre crossover masterpiece that redefined movie history. I am one of those people. The movie, with its claustrophobic minimalism and tension is truly a work of film based art. Who thought anyone could rival that?
Well, James Cameron obviously did. Cameron could have opted to copy the successful formula laid down by Ridley Scott but instead opted for a different approach entirely. Bringing the big spectacle to the Alien universe with an intense, action heavy, sci-fi horror that just works beautifully.
49. James Cameron
Having made a name for himself with a little known low-budget sci-fi/horror called Terminator, Cameron expanded his game and single-handedly convinced 20th Century Fox to let him direct the Alien sequel – a film that was not planned after the merits of the relative commercial miss-hit of Alien. Without the box office success of the Terminator, Fox would not have commissioned Aliens at all.
Most people would agree that the future war sequences in Terminator and T2 were some of the best sequences in the films and thanks to Cameron’s sci-tech vision, Aliens basically IS those sequences. With heavy duty sci-fi weapons and sci-fi vehicles and sets, Cameron delivered us an Alien shaped future war, the bloody legend.
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18 Comments
Is this a serious post? Saying it’s your favourite it absolutely fine, but the greatest film ever? There’s barely any character development in Weaver’s character, who is the only moderately developed character in the whole film. Secondly, it’s an action film. It doesn’t make you think about anything more than thrills, and yet you say it is better than the likes of Citizen Kane, Raging Bull, Aguirre: Wrath of God?
You probably haven’t seen many films so I suggest you see some more – as your ‘critiquing’ style is very good – just shouldn’t be wasted on this.
Agreed. Additionally, the facts are incorrect and could have been more accurate by simply viewing any number of behind the scenes documentaries on the film or the franchise. The men behind the production company Brandywine who were responsible for the Alien films have stated they were looking at making a sequel and even had the idea of the military being involved before they talked to Cameron. Cameron’s success with a small budget on The Terminator prompted them to consider him and they had a meeting on the concept.
Hi thanks for the comment. While I agree that Kane is a great film, a perfect film in many ways, it’s not comparable to Aliens because it is too different. I am not comparing it to great works of cinema in terms of was the cinematography better than that in Kane or the Godfather, I am saying that the film as a whole was a more entertaining and enjoyable experience – which of course is a matter of opinion, not fact and using the fifty points to illustrate my argument.
This movie is a pure action piece with every element you could want. A perfect movie…of its type and not really comparable to anything other than those of its genre, which it lays to waste, or bests at the very least.
Thanks
Adrian
Avatar is a better film
Booooo!
Ha ha. Brilliant.
Avatar is a better (childrens) film.
I can’t disagree or agree to be honest, Avatar is a better film on every level as is Titanic but that’s just my opinion,
Aliens is a good film but not “the greatest”, it was also let down by two poor sequels
Titanic is better.
Adrian, I don’t know if Aliens is the greatest film of all time but you make a hell of an argument for it to be considered. Fact of the matter I can’t help but agree with every point you made. There are a number of films that really had an almost physical impact on me when I saw them the first time (Of course Jaws, Star Wars etc.) Aliens lived up to the promise of “You’ll be blown through the back wall of the theater”.
I do appreciate traditional cinematic masterpieces as Thomas mentioned in the post above but I am not juiced by the prospect of seeing them. Aliens is one of those cinematic experiences that simply delivers ecstasy on the screen and many of us are quite thankful for it.
Great article.
Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed the article. I just goddamn love this movie!
I’m not exactly sure how “James Cameron” or “James Horner” can be reasons why the FILM ITSELF is the “Greatest Film of All Time,” but whatever.
I absolutely loved ALIENS when I first saw it in theaters. It was a cathartic experience after the claustrophobia of the first film. There are some huge, rah-rah moments in it that absolutely work.
Still, I’m not sure the film has aged very well. Much like many of Cameron’s films, the manipulative structure of it is painfully obvious. It’s like AVATAR, TITANIC, or TERMINATOR 2 in many ways – Cameron obviously sets up various elements, and then ticks them off in payoff moments in an almost mechanical fashion.
Still, it’s hard to fault him for that. At least Cameron is attempting to make complete films of a blockbuster sort that have a bit of meat on them and some real issues paid off by the end. Compared to incompetent trash like TRANSFORMERS, Cameron’s films belong in an art museum.
I don’t know if Aliens is the greatest film of all time, I’m not sure you can give any movie this title. I mean it’s like choosing the best musician of all times amongst pianists, violinists, singers etc. It doesn’t really makes sense. But everyone has a greatest movie, it’s just a personal choice.
Now, I completely agree with your article. I love that movie, it’s my sci-fi favorite. I don’t even know how many times I saw it, and I’m still not bored. Everything’s great in it. By the way, you forgot the “kind of romance” scenes between Hicks and Ripley. They’re awesome, because these two characters get along perfectly in stressful situations, and anything else is labeled “we’ll see later if we’re still alive”. That’s my opinion anyway.
Oh and I was quite disappointed with Prometheus. Too many incoherences in the characters choices (I guess IQs ARE lower in the future).
Cameron and Horner both bought elements into the film that others may not have achieved to the same level of success, so I think they earned their places. Although I suppose they could have been added under the titles “sound track” and “direction” :-)
I think that considering it was 86 the only thing that stands out as wrong is the hair styles on Burke and Ripley, which are fortunately a tad outmoded. Obviously some of the effects etc have dated, but it still remains better to look at as a whole movie than most Hollywood trash of the same genre nowadays.
I agree that Cameron is formulaic, but that formula was perfect for the movie. After all, just rehashing Alien would really have sucked. Anyway, thanks for the comment :-)
Is it really better than Ridley Scott’s more cerebral and perhaps more iconic original film Alien?
No. But it is more fun to watch.
Is it better than Prometheus for that matter?
Obviously. Piranha 2:The Spawning was better than Prometheus.
Is it the greatest sequel of all time?
Possibly. Are you including Piranha 2:The Spawning?
Is it the best movie James Cameron ever made?
No. Terminator is.(Yes the original). …Or Piranha 2:The Spawning (maybe. – it’s been a while since I’ve seen it)
Is it the greatest sci-fi or action movie ever?
No. There are much better sci-fi and action films. Best sci-fi-action though.
Yeah Prometheus was a mess, expected so much more from it
When people cite Kane as their favourite film I can’t help but think it’s movie snob point scoring in some ways, sure it’s a great story, told brilliantly, and that Welles’ direction helped give cinema a much needed kick up the backside… but it often gets heralded as the greatest film ever.
People need to understand that WC often runs a ’50 reasons why blah blah blah is the greatest film of all time’ and it’s meant as pure hyperbole.It’s just a fun way of saying it’s an awesome movie.
Couldn’t have put it better myself.