Aliens [Blu-ray]

Okay, this GenXer fully admits, I’d never seen any of the Alien franchise before about 2 weeks ago. My wife has been trying (for years), but frankly, I’m not into SciFi all that much. I do the Star Wars franchise (the ones I acknowledge as actual films), but beyond that, I just can’t get into it. But Amazon had Alien on Prime recently, so I told my wife I’d watch with her, and it turned out... it was actually pretty darn good. Then Amazon had a really good deal on Aliens - the sequel if you didn’t know - and we grabbed it. (We have also agreed to get Alien when it has a good deal) and, I liked it as well. it’s a pretty good movie. I was impressed.Never realized the first two were James Cameron films, but watching, I’m not surprised. I’d never paid attention, but then I could see his voice all over it. Alien and Aliens are smart films. Not just your run of the mill, giant dangerous monsters take over and kill people. In fact, I know there was stress and anxiety and action and heightened, growing tension as the Alien/aliens have to be hunted and destroyed, before they get closer to civilization. But I don’t remember blood and gore (for the sake of it or not). The great films don’t need to put it in your face, or at least do it in a way that you aren’t overwhelmed. All of that is expertly built into the action of the film.But the other thing about great action and thriller movies, they are about someone - there is a way for the audience to come in, be engaged, and want their hero to win. Aliens, like its predecessor, has that kind of heart. Without it, a person may still like movie, but there is always “something missing,” they often just can’t tell you what... so yes, Aliens has that heart... found in both our hero, Ripley, and her new charge, the little girl, Newt. Cameron has done a great job of picking up where the first one let off, then grab us and brings us into Aliens quickly and easily, then builds a story with both the action and growing energy most want, but the heart that your viewer’s heart knows it needs.There are the standout performances of Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn (Newt), Lance Henriksen, and Michael Biehn. In this turn, Paul Reiser does very well as the villain. But I think my biggest surprise was found in Private Vasquez, played by Jenette Goldstein. If you want to know why, watch Aliens. If you want to know even more... she’s the Irish mom in Titanic, the James Cameron masterpiece. And a few other parts - she’s an unknown/little know chameleon actor with such a talent, when I found out all she’s been in, I was blown away - she’s excellent.The story picks up where Alien left off, taking Ripley back to the planet of her greatest challenge and threat of death from... the alien now aliens. She and the others sent to find out (many years later) what has happened to an ill advised colony there. As things play out she and the others, a top military team, are hunted by even more aliens. They also find a young Newt, in need of their help - well, as far as a kid who’s survived on their own for so long needs help that is (think Jurassic Park 3). In the end, will anyone get off the planet... I can honestly say, I think you’ll have fun finding out. I will add, I have now watched the next in the franchise and did not like it at all. Why? Because it is completely missing what Cameron did - the heart as the hero of a SciFi film. Every movie needs heart and this SciFi has it.

I’ve owned Aliens on VHS, laserdisc (the 1990 box set), DVD, and Blu-ray. I’ve watched it at least 50 or 60 times, maybe more. The 2024 4K version is, hands down, the best version yet released.First, the 4K transfer is pristine. I believe it was rescanned from the original negatives and then de-grained using A.I. Aliens has always been a grainy film, but all of that has been cleaned up without (for the most part) leaving faces looking waxy. The color timing is excellent, much better than the bluish hue that was chosen for the DVD and Blu-ray releases. The black colors are deeper and faces look more like their natural skin tones.What’s amazing is how well the tiny details hold up in 4K. The model work, miniatures, and sets look incredible. I’m not certain how much CGI was used to cover up elements that didn’t stand up to high resolution treatment, but it’s not noticeable…except for the famous shot at the end where Lance Henrickson lifts himself up off the deck of Sulaco’s landing bay to grab Carrie Henn—you could previously see the hole where his body went through the floor, but that was fixed with CGI for this release. It’s well done.The one place where the visuals struggle is James Cameron’s use of rear projection to capture visual effects in-camera (like the dropship crash). They’ve never looked great, but they were passable on VHS or even DVD. The 4K transfer really makes them stand out as obviously rear projected. Some CGI touch-up may have been appropriate, but Cameron (God bless him) didn’t pull a George Lucas and do that; the film is largely his 1990 special edition without monkeying around with it.The sound mix is also excellent. Many films these days (not just ones by Christopher Nolan) have muddy dialog that’s overpowered by the sound effects and score; there’s just a bit of that in a few isolated places, but for the most part the dialog was clear and audible on my 7.1 home system.4K players are notorious for struggling with the bit density of 4K discs, and this one was no exception. My Sony UBP- X700M hung up right a the moment where Ripley fell into the airlock with the power loader and the queen. The video started up about 5 second later, with those 5 seconds missing. Your mileage may vary with the 4K disc in your 4K player.The 1986 theatrical version of the film is also included on the disc, with the isolated musical score (both the original and the final version). All the bonus features from the Alien Anthology 4-film Blu-ray box set are on a separate disc.If you’re a fan of this movie, this is the best version yet. (Except for the disc’s cover art, which is very meh.) Own it.

Aliens in my opinion is the greatest film of all time. This stunning 4k edition has the extended version which I think is the best way to watch this movie.This film has it all. Action, comedy, suspense, horror, drama. Well done James Cameron!

This is an excellent movie, enhanced beautifully for viewing on a large screen. While I couldn't confirm whether the format was UHD or 4K, it visually performs well. Unfortunately, Amazon's interface makes it challenging to review movie purchase history and access detailed specifications.

Must have addition to "Aliens" copies in your collection. Digitally remastered for 4k, cleaned up. Looks different but experience is great. You still need to have 1080p version for the original vibe though.