Must See Movie Monday - Alien and Aliens

Film: Alien                                       Film: Aliens
Released: 1979                                 Released: 1986
Rated: R                                          Rated: R
Director: Ridley Scott                       Director: James Cameron


Short Summary 

Alien 

The commercial space vessel Nostromo receives a distress call from an unexplored planet. After searching for survivors the crew heads home only to discover that a dangerous bioform has joined them.









Aliens

The planet from the original film is colonized but contact with the humans has been lost. The only living survivor of Nostromo, Ripley, joins a rescue crew to the planet. Fighting with large weapons ensues.









Why They Are Must See Movies

I felt it was time to talk about great science fiction. So I went with the sci-fi classic Alien and it's sequel Aliens. I remember the first time I saw Alien was when they re-released it in theater's several years back. I went to see it with my mom and there was only one other person in the theater. This of course only added to the creep factor of the movie. I guess it was a good thing that there weren't many people because it's one of those thrilling movies that you yell at. The whole last half of the film I keep yelling at Ripley to leave the pet cat and get off the ship. A comment I felt bad about when a friend asked me would you leave your dog and I said no of course because I love my dogs. Plus, if you've seen Alien 3 you know for sure why you shouldn't leave your dog anywhere near an Alien life form and it's not just cause you love your puppy.

 Ever since the first time I saw the film when I think of great sci-fi movies Alien and it's sequel Aliens are definitely on the top of my list. Not only are they great sci-fi movies but they are also a great horror and actions films so your getting several genres for the price of one. 

A large part of why I like the films is all about "Girl Power." As a strong woman myself I like to see strong female character kicking butt and Ripley definitely is one of those type of characters. Speaking of characters I think both Alien and Aliens had writers that did a great job of characters that you love to love and characters that you love to hate. That is just cool. It makes you really engage with the excitement of the story. You really feel afraid for the characters you love and you can't wait until Alien's acid blood obliterates the people that are getting on your second nerve. It sounds mean I know but there are some people I definitely wanted to get got, especially in the second film. You know those characters that freak out in a bad situation and just cry and whine instead of helping out, or those idiots that think it's a great idea to sacrifice everyone just so they can study the Alien or whatever else. Uh...NO! The most awesome thing about Aliens is that it's even better than the first film (and first one is awesome). Not always the case in the world of cinema. Since the first movie takes it's time to set up the mythology it takes awhile to really get going, but it the second film all the rules are laid out they pretty much get right to the action.

I actually enjoy all the Alien movies. Yes, even Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection. I know that some people hate them but I don't. While I wouldn't list them in the must see category they are still very entertaining despite the fact that they lack that scary element that the other two movies have. Alien 3 has much to be desired in the sound design department making it really hard to understand the actors. Other than that it still had some fun characters and keeps you interested. One of the writers on Resurrection was Joss Whedon so I want to giggle when I say that it is kind of like his show Firefly but with Aliens. Not that that is a bad thing I just find it ironic. The special effects at the end are a little funny but otherwise I am always entertained by it when I watch it.

So if you are feeling like a good action packed Science Fiction try out the Alien films. If you just like being scared silly watch them. See you guys tomorrow. Keep it shiny!