In my mind, Aliens is the best action movie ever made. Period. No other action film that I've seen has had a better grasp of character, story construction, propulsive editing, or just kick ass fun as this one. Ripley is just simply a fantastic character. She's smart but humble, attractive but approachable, honorable but not perfect. Ripley is a little rough around the edges -- she can be short with people, flippant -- but she acts out of what she feels is right. At no point in the film do we not completely sympathize with Ripley or not see her point of view. As the audience, we are right there with her. This serves as a testament not only to the ultra-tight screenplay and James Cameron's direction, but ultimately to Sigourney Weaver's amazing performance. With all of her Yale training, Weaver fills every moment as Ripley. You can tell what she's thinking from one moment to the next, and that gives the movie its real thrust. You are there with Ripley until the end.
In addition to how awesome Sigourney Weaver is, the acting in the movie is just great. From Paul Reiser's weaselly Burke to Carrie Henn's pensive Newt and Bill Paxton's apoplectic Hudson, all the performances in the movie are pitch-perfect. And so many quotable lines! "Somebody wake up Hicks." "Oh, game over, man!" "You can just bill me." "Did IQ's plummet while I was away?" And, of course..."Get away from her, you bitch!"
Tom and I watched this with Mitch over at Ken's & Susan's place Sunday night, so while it wasn't at my home, it was indeed at someone else's home. So, this qualifies I think as part of the At Home Film Festival. I've seen Aliens at least 15 times, and there are portions that still scare, portions that still thrill me, and overall, it rocks my world.
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