BY RICK JACKSON
Aliens is a socko sequel to Alien. Well directed by James Cameron (The Terminator), it picks up where the original left off. Sigourney Weaver reprises her role as Ripley.
Written by Cameron based on a story by Cameron, David Giler and Walter Hill, from characters created by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett, the sequel moves the action from the confines of a spaceship to the planet Acheron.
Production designer Peter Lamont is responsible for the intricate alien structure which contains an organic labyrinth leading to a series of chambers and catacombs.
Cameron keeps you on the edge of your seat from the beginning. As the story moves along, he gradually builds up the suspense until the action is non-stop.
The visual effects supervised by Robert and Dennis Skotak create the proper gloomy atmosphere that contributes to the nail-biting suspense.
In an excellent supporting role, nine-year-old Carrie Henn as Newt, the little girl who gives Ripley the courage to fight the alien creatures.
The supporting cast includes Michael Biehn as Hicks, Paul Reiser as Burke, Lance Henricksen as Bishop, and Bill Paxton as Hudson.
Complemented by James Horner's music score and Adrian Biddle's photography, Aliens is real scary stuff.
It is rated Restricted, with the warnings: coarse language and frightening scenes.
July 30, 1986
Copyright Rick Jackson 1986
Aliens is playing at The Screening Room in Kingston, Ontario on June 29, 2012.
