Aliens (Special Edition)

Aliens (Special Edition)
by James Cameron

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DVD Reviews of Aliens (Special Edition)

DVD Review: Mad About Aliens!
Summary: 5 Stars

With many other Vietnam War-related films coming out around the same time as "Aliens" ("Rambo II," "Platoon," "Full Metal Jacket"), the contention of some critics that "Aliens" acts as a metaphor for U.S. involvement in the War seems plausible: "dropships" resemble combat helicopters; central character Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is brought as an "advisor" to the operation; and the Space Marines are used as tools of a "military-industrial complex," with corporate interests endangering the lives of anyone to procure alien fetuses to make a profit. Related to this are themes of colonialism (including fears of "Others" inhabiting the space to be colonized), and the possibility that the xenomorphs represent another group that has been marginalized as "Other": Women.

This theme of “alienation” from other women receives even more profound symbolic analysis from critics examining Aliens, probably the most controversial film of the series. Although praised like its predecessor for portraying Ripley as a strong female protagonist, this film has also has received criticism for its allegedly conservative subtext (one critic dismissed it as a "Pentagon-inspired family-values picture for the Reagan 80s”) and as promoting Ripley as some kind of ideal “Uberfraulein” who is not too “feminine” and not too “masculine.” (like the Space Marine Vasquez played by Jenette Goldstein, against whom Ripley appears relatively more maternal and nurturing in her relationship with the orphaned Newt (Carrie Hehn). Ripley's relationship with Newt also evokes controversy, with some critics pointing out that the alien queen's biological destiny of motherhood contrasts strongly with Ripley's culturally-sanctioned choice to act as a nurturer to Newt. From this perspective, Ripley's ultimate victory over the alien queen occurs within the context of a patriarchally-approved competitive feminism sanctioned by "The Company;" in order to become a successful woman, one must accept the tools and attitudes of the patriarchy. This includes an aggression that shuts out other women, human and otherwise. In the later films, however, Ripley actually becomes more alien. She carries an alien fetus in the third movie (before her Wagnerian self-immolation), then becomes resurrected as a part-alien in the fourth. What will happen to her in the fifth movie?

Speaking of Wagner, parallels with his gigantic opera epic “Ring des Nibelungen” may be coincidental, but I think they’re there. Besides the facts that the “Alien” series has four films and the “Ring” comes in four operas, there’s also Ripley’s self-immolation to save humanity like in Gotterdammerung (or, as in the abortion debate, to have control over her body); and the music (played by the London Symphony Orchestra, no less) used during the battle sequences of “Aliens” has echoes of the smithying music portraying the dwarves’ enslavement in Act Two of “Das Rheingold.” And then there’s the critique of capitalism (attributed to the “Ring” by George Bernard Shaw) which also pops in the Alien series (particularly in this movie in the guise of Carter Burke, played with barely-concealed neurotic ooze by Paul Reiser). So one is left with political ambiguity in “Aliens,” and one must decide whether it’s a gung-ho Reagan era war movie set in a future infested by Freudian neuroses, or if it’s a critique of a capitalist system that sacrifices lives just to squeeze out a profit. Or to just think it's a kick-[butt] movie, or too upsetting for one's nerves.

Whatever one may consider its ideological stance, “Aliens” deserves to be on a list of top science fiction films. While not “artsy-craftsy,” director James Cameron crafted this film marvelously, shooting only a few alien models with minimal detail in dim lighting to give the effect of stalking hordes. (The test footage of the phallic alien fetus puppet, and of the alien queen stand-in, is quite amusing) Particularly memorable is the devastating first battle between the Space Marines and aliens, with disorienting cuts between the “real” battle sequences and video relays of the action (replete with static and close-ups of panicked Marines) to an armored surface vehicle. (Considering this film and “Titanic,” I think Cameron would definitely be the one to finally film a “War of the Worlds” that’s faithful to H.G. Wells’ novel... with better-rounded characters than Wells threw in). Although the added-in scenes enhance the film somewhat, I expected something more emotionally satisfying (tear-jerking) for the scene where Ripley finds out about her biological daughter’s death.

All that said, “Aliens” still continues to fascinate, even after 15 years. It is indeed a kick-[butt] movie, but there’s a lot more (probably) going on beneath the surface text as well. That’s what makes me return to it every so often.

Description of Aliens (Special Edition)

Personally supervised by director James Cameron, this special edition includes scenes eliminated prior to the film's 1986 release which broaden the narrative scope and enrich the emotional impact of the film.