In this sequel to the 1979 classic "Alien," "Aliens" stars Sigourney Weaver (Gorillas in the Mist) again as Lt. Ripley, who goes back to planet LB-426 and helps a bunch of colonial marines find out what happed to a colony of humans there. This movie is not directed by Ridley Scott, but by James "The director who brought you Titanic!" Cameron. Unlike that piece of crap, "Aliens" is one of the better action Sci-Fi movies and is definitely worth watching if you haven't.

The story is Ripley, the last survivor of the Nostromo, is found wondering through space 65 years after we left her in "Alien." With no evidence that the alien was on board the ship, she is taken back to earth where she is blamed by corporate for the accident. She is also suffering from nightmares from the first trip. Well, when the company loses contact with the colony, they re-enlist Ripley to go with a bunch of marines and see what happened. Once there, almost all of the marines are wiped out immediately, and it's a fight for survival and to get off the planet before the colony's nuclear reactor explodes.

The cast is outstanding with Weaver playing Ripley again, Michael Biehn (Terminator) as Cpl. Hicks, Bill Paxton (A Simple Plan) as Pvt. Hudson, Paul Reiser (TV's Mad About You) as Carter Burke, and Lance Henrikson (TV's Millenium) as Bishop an android. The movie also stars Carrie Henn who played Newt, which is the only movie she has been in before and since. Along with the acting, the story was also excellent, balancing the right amount of terror with humor and drama. Weaver was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actress for her role in this movie. Stan Winston (Jurassic Park) did the creature effects again. Oh yeah, Cameron did a good job directing too.

This movie probably would be in my top 25 of all time, maybe in the top 20. After "Terminator" and "Terminator 2," this is my favorite Cameron movie.

Brian - the Naked Gun