I'm pleased you like the Ripley character. Myself, I couldn't care less for the character. The Marines and the bugs are my favourites.

And I'm pleased that you're pleased Dom The Marines and the Xeno's are excellent, that's the appeal of the movie, it caters for many tastes. Big guns, grunts and explosions for the diehard action fans, richly drawn characters in a very believable military unit pitted against the ultimate movie monsters. But for me and some others, the primary appeal of the film was the continuation of a story about a woman who loses everything to the Alien, who despite the terror and foreboding, faces her fears and goes straight back into the Lions' Den. The Wonderful cast of Marines get their share of the limelight, each in their own way which for me just adds to the richness of the film, here's a group of people that we really do care about, but it's ultimately Ripley's story. I remember when my family went to see Aliens on it's opening there was a little old lady sat alone a few rows in front of us, before the film started she turned round to us and said "Are you excited?....I am! I've been dying to see what happens when Ripley gets back!" After the film on our way out she said "phew! that was good, I think I need to come and see it again!!"

Forgive me if I repeat, as I've told this story before.

I have forgotten how many times I've seen ALIENS over the years, but I do remember the first time.

July 18th, 1986-Opening Day, First Show at the Dedham Showcase Theater with my late brother John. We were big fans of the first movie but I'd read that director James Cameron, before he started working on the movie, said to the effect that "ALIEN was a masterpiece, I can't top it. I'm making my movie." THAT is the way to look at a sequel.

As we walked in, I saw that the theater was already half full and still filling up-for lunchtime show. "This is gonna be good," I said.
I was right.

Now, 25 years later, ALIENS Is STILL good!
Watching it again with a new 35mm print was gorgeous!
And I'm still amazed at just how FAST them movie move!
It feels like 15 minutes in and were already on the Sulcao! This kind of pacing seems to be lost on a lot of screenwriters, directors and editors today.

Twenty five years later, to paraphrase Vasquez, THIS MOVIE ROCKKKSSSS!

_________________
"I have had ENOUGH!
I want these MONKEY-FIGHTING aliens OFF of my MONDAY TO FRIDAY Dropship!" - USCM Sgt. S. Jackson