At my 3rd favourite film of all time, I chose, what I believe to be, the greatest action film of all time. James Cameron’s 1986 sci-fi blockbuster Aliens, the sequel to Ridley Scott’s Alien, proves that even old school action movies are better than about 90% of current ones.
Whilst the first film was a horror in space, the second decides to be an action. Debatably better than the first (it is), Aliens proves early on, in a time before installations, cinematic universes, reboots, remakes and cash grabs, that sequels do have the potential to be truly spellbinding.
Instead of rehashing the same plot – a trait most sequels to – James Cameron multiplies the aliens and the results show. Spliced with set pieces taking place with practical effects and great CGI for the time, Aliens is a timeless classic. It still manages to be gripping and monumental, even 30 years after its release.
Even the characters, who are only there to blow up xenomorphs, are memorable, thanks to whippy dialogue and great performances. Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley, proves to be one of the fiercest in the film and, is arguably, the best heroine in cinematic history. She certainly shoves it to the ‘damsel in distress’ trope that was common for the time, which, along with perfect action and direction, makes it unforgettable.
Anarchist Analysis 