I am a huge fan of the terrifying James Cameron film Aliens released in 1986. Even though it's been 38 years since it was released, I still regularly find my inner cinephile hankering after this stone cold classic, or at the very least craving a wee read around the subject matter, perhaps open up the Wikipedia page or find a YouTube analysis of the film.
Why is Aliens so good?
As well as an unwavering sense of nostalgia that keeps me returning to this film, there's also a hypnotic je ne sais quoi about Aliens that keeps it fresh no matter how many times I revisit this work of art. Maybe it's that I was an impressionable young whippersnapper in the year 1989 when I first discovered Aliens, or the fact that James Cameron were absolutely at the top of their game when they released said film. It's hard to pinpoint something so transcendental. Once you love a piece of art you become faithful to it's ethos.
Aliens is a film that is still relevant
One thing's for sure though, Aliens has stood the test of time and then some. It remains as powerful and relevant today as it did in 1986. And why wouldn't it? With intense action and suspense like that, it's no wonder people return to this film again and again. I can't imagine life without it John.
James Cameron knocked it out the park
But it's not just the intense action and suspense that make this film great. It's the overall package. The Sigourney Weaver's iconic performance as Ripley is a tour de force. The terrifying design of the xenomorphs is integral, as is the way it expands on the mythology of the first film while standing on its own as a classic. And who can forget pulse-pounding score by James Horner. When James Cameron created this timeless classic, never mind the ball park, they knocked this one out of the solar system. This bad boy is in danger of bothering Voyager.
Has Aliens stood the test of time?
Of course, there are other films out there to be argued for. Harder, better, faster, stronger. Some might argue that Blade Runner 2049 is better than Aliens, or that Denis Villeneuve is better than James Cameron. They may well have a point. But for me, Aliens will always hold a special place in my heart. And 38 years tickling the meridian response does not lie.
Aliens in conclusion
To sum up, Aliens is a wonderful thing, a film of unrivalled quality. It's a film that has etched itself into the psyche, distributing untold tingles up the spine, hogging synapses and monopolising neurons that could otherwise be put to use appreciating more important, or perhaps more useful information. But no matter what life throws at me, I know I can always rely on Aliens to deliver the goods.