Support NeoGAF

[mrroboto]

It just hit me that the 20th anniversary of the movie "ALIENS" is this month!

It's undoubtly one of the best sequels ever made. It recieved wide critical acclaim and actress Sigourney Weaver was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of "Ripley" in the film.

I remember going to the theater on opening weekend to watch it. The theater was packed with lots of excitement as the opening began.

Lots of screams, audience jumping from scares and cheers proceeded during the movie.

To me, it was almost the perfect movie going experience.

So in honor of the upcoming 20th annivesary of the movie, let's dedicate this thread to the movie, the actors, actresses, cast, crew and Twentieth Century Fox for giving us one hell of an elevator ride........on an express elevator to hell........going down!

Please contribute your memories of watching the movie for the first time or even multiple times! Thanks!



Here's to "ALIENS"!



http://imdb.com/title/tt0090605/

Released: July 18, 1986







The cast:



Stan Winston:



http://www.stanwinstonstudio.com/home.html

The crew:

Directed by
James Cameron

Writing credits
Dan O'Bannon (characters) and
Ronald Shusett (characters)

James Cameron (story) and
David Giler (story) &
Walter Hill (story)

James Cameron (screenplay)

Cast (in credits order)verified as complete
Sigourney Weaver .... Ellen Ripley
Carrie Henn .... Rebecca 'Newt' Jorden
Michael Biehn .... Cpl. Dwayne Hicks
Lance Henriksen .... Bishop
Paul Reiser .... Carter Burke
Bill Paxton .... Pvt. Hudson
William Hope .... Lt. Gorman
Jenette Goldstein .... Pvt. Vasquez
Al Matthews .... Sgt. Apone
Mark Rolston .... Pvt. Drake
Ricco Ross .... Pvt. Frost
Colette Hiller .... Cpl. Ferro
Daniel Kash .... Pvt. Spunkmeyer
Cynthia Dale Scott .... Cpl. Dietrich (as Cynthia Scott)
Tip Tipping .... Pvt. Crowe
Trevor Steedman .... Pvt. Wierzbowski
Paul Maxwell .... Van Leuwen
Valerie Colgan .... ECA Representative
Alan Polonsky .... Insurance Man
Alibe Parsons .... Med Tech
Blain Fairman .... Doctor
Barbara Coles .... Cocooned Woman
Carl Toop .... Alien Warrior
John Lees .... Power Loader Operator
Holly De Jong .... Ann Jorden
Jay Benedict .... Russ Jorden
Christopher Henn .... Timmy Jorden
Mac McDonald .... Al Simpson, Colony Officer
William Armstrong .... Lydecker (as Bill Armstrong)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Elizabeth Inglis .... Amanda Ripley (uncredited)

Produced by
Gordon Carroll .... executive producer
David Giler .... executive producer
Walter Hill .... executive producer
Gale Anne Hurd .... producer

Original Music by
James Horner

Non-Original Music by
Jerry Goldsmith (from "Alien (1979)") (uncredited)

Cinematography by
Adrian Biddle (director of photography)

Film Editing by
Ray Lovejoy

Production Design by
Peter Lamont

Art Direction by
Ken Court
Bert Davey
Fred Hole
Michael Lamont

Set Decoration by
Crispian Sallis

Costume Design by
Emma Porteus (as Emma Porteous)

Makeup Department
Elaine Bowerbank .... chief hair stylist
Peter Robb-King .... makeup supervisor
Everett Burrell .... special makeup effects (uncredited)
Tony Gardner .... Stan Winston's creature effects crew (uncredited)

Production Management
Mo Coppitters .... production manager
Hugh Harlow .... production supervisor
Gil Whelan .... production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Derek Cracknell .... first assistant director
Melvin Lind .... second assistant director
Stan Winston .... second unit director

Art Department
Terry Ackland-Snow .... supervising art director (as Terence Ackland-Snow)
Ron Cobb .... conceptual designer
Bert Hearn .... property master
Syd Mead .... conceptual artist
Sid Palmer .... production buyer (as Sidney Palmer)
Vic Simpson .... construction manager
Tony Gardner .... artistic supervisor: miniature effects unit (uncredited)
Simon Lamont .... art department assistant (uncredited)
Maciek Piotrowski .... sketch artist (uncredited)
Tony Rimmington .... draughtsman (uncredited)
Colin Thurston .... prop storeman (uncredited)

Sound Department
Michael A. Carter .... dubbing mixer
Roy Charman .... sound recordist
Robin Clarke .... music editor
Michael Clifford .... music editor
Dev Goodman .... sound editor
Graham V. Hartstone .... chief dubbing mixer
Peter Horrocks .... sound editor
Jack T. Knight .... sound editor (as Jack Knight)
Nicolas Le Messurier .... dubbing mixer
Archie Ludski .... dialogue editor
Alan Paley .... sound editor
Rocky Phelan .... foley editor
Don Sharpe .... supervising sound editor
Eric Tomlinson .... music recording engineer
Chris Blunden .... assistant sound editor (uncredited)
Scott Brose .... sound editor (uncredited)
Jeffrey Perkins .... sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
Otto Snel .... music pre-dub mixer (uncredited)
Otto Snel .... sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
Lionel Strutt .... adr mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Norman Baillie .... workshop supervisor
Nigel Booth .... creature effects crew
Ron Burton .... senior special effects technician
Trevor Butterfield .... creature effects crew
Julian Caldow .... creature effects crew
Ron Cartwright .... senior special effects technician
Philomena Davis .... creature effects crew
Michael Dunleavy .... senior special effects technician
Nick Finlayson .... senior special effects technician
Alec Gillis .... creature effects coordinator
Graham High .... creature effects crew
Richard J. Landon .... creature effects coordinator (as Richard Landon)
Rick Lazzarini .... creature effects crew
Ray Lovell .... creature effects crew
Lindsay MacGowan .... creature effects crew (as Lindsay McGowan)
Shane Mahan .... creature effects coordinator
John Morris .... senior special effects technician
Kenneth Morris .... senior special effects technician (as Ken Morris)
Stephen Norrington .... creature effects crew
Christine Overs .... creature effects crew
Julian Parry .... effects crew: Los Angeles
Peter Pickering .... senior special effects technician
John Richardson .... special effects supervisor
John Robertson .... creature effects crew
Ian Rolph .... creature effects crew
Matt Rose .... creature effects crew
John Rosengrant .... creature effects coordinator
Bill Sturgeon .... creature effects crew
Willie Whitten .... creature effects crew
Paul Whybrow .... senior special effects technician
Joss Williams .... senior special effects technician
Mark Williams .... creature effects crew
Stan Winston .... alien effects creator
Tom Woodruff Jr. .... creature effects coordinator
Michael Burnett .... miniature effects unit (uncredited)
Simon Cockren .... special effects assistant (uncredited)
Edward J. Franklin .... special effects crew (uncredited)
Tim Turner .... miniature effects assistant (uncredited)
Andy Williams .... special effects technician (uncredited)
Steven Woodcock .... model maker (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Michael Anderson .... camera operator: visual effects unit
Jonathan Angell .... senior special effects technician: visual effects unit
Doug Beswick .... mechanical armature design: visual effects unit
John Brown .... senior special effects technician: visual effects unit
Leslie Dear .... camera operator: visual effects unit
Andrew Eio .... motion control programmer
Paul Frift .... assistant director: visual effects unit
Robert Gavin .... special effects editor: visual effects unit
Richard Hewitt .... video effects supervisor
Brian Johnson .... visual effects supervisor: post production
Christopher Knowles .... assistant director: visual effects unit (as Chris Knowles)
David Litchfield .... camera operator: visual effects unit
Alan G. Markowitz .... visual effects supervisor
Pat McClung .... miniatures technical supervisor: visual effects unit
Digby Milner .... senior special effects technician: visual effects unit
Roy Moores .... process photographer: visual effects unit
Phil Notaro .... mechanical armature design: visual effects unit
Harry Oakes .... camera operator: visual effects unit
Peter Russell .... art director: visual effects unit
Barry Saunders .... construction manager: visual effects unit
Dennis Skotak .... visual effects supervisor
Robert Skotak .... visual effects supervisor
Brian Smithies .... miniature floor effects supervisor: visual effects unit
Sarah Spooner .... production secretary: visual effects unit
Charles Staffell .... process photographer: visual effects unit
Paul Tivers .... unit production manager: visual effects unit
Wally Wheeler .... gaffer: visual effects unit
Tony White .... titles: visual effects unit
Tony White .... video graphics design: visual effects unit
Larry Arpin .... visual effects (uncredited)
Steven Begg .... model effects (uncredited)
Suzanne M. Benson .... visual effects (uncredited)
Martin Body .... rotoscope artist (uncredited)
Zoe Cain .... visual effects trainee (uncredited)
Alan Church .... optical camera operator (uncredited)
Tony Gardner .... cosmetic supervisor: miniature effects unit (uncredited)
John Lee .... model maker (uncredited)
Adrian Trent .... assistant visual effects editor (uncredited)

Stunts
Elanor Bertram .... stunts
Simon Crane .... stunts
Sue Crosland .... stunts
Tom Delmar .... stunts
Steve Dent .... stunts
Stuart Fell .... stunts
Louise Head .... stunt double #1: Carrie Henn
Jazzer Jeyes .... stunts
Sean McCabe .... stunts
Eddie Powell .... stunts
Kiran Shah .... stunt double #2: Carrie Henn
Stuart St. Paul .... stunts
Malcolm Weaver .... stunts
Chris Webb .... stunts
Bill Weston .... stunts
Paul Weston .... stunt coordinator
Jason White .... stunts
Clive Curtis .... stunt double: Frost (uncredited)

Other crew
Polly Apostolof .... assistant to producer
Jill Bennett .... production accountant
Peter Boita .... associate editor
Diana Dill .... script supervisor
Jane Feinberg .... casting: USA
Mike Fenton .... casting: USA
Randall Frakes .... synthesizer effects
Geoff Freeman .... unit publicist
Robert Garret .... synthesizer effects
H.R. Giger .... original alien designer
Stewart Hadley .... generator operator
Simon Harris .... second assistant editor
Martin Hume .... camera focus
Martin Kenzie .... first assistant camera: second camera
Greig McRitchie .... orchestrator
Tiny Nicholls .... costume supervisor
Shaun O'Dell .... camera operator
Bob Penn .... still photographer
Jay Roberts .... location auditor
Phil Sanderson .... first assistant editor
Mary Selway .... casting: UK
Judy Taylor .... casting: USA
Jack Thetford .... gaffer
Paul Tucker .... production controller
Joyce Turner .... production coordinator
Ian Underwood .... synthesizer effects
David Worley .... camera operator
Simon Atherton .... armorer (uncredited)
James Cameron .... queen alien designer (uncredited)
Pete Cavaciuti .... steadicam operator (uncredited)
Michael Condro .... first assistant camera (uncredited)
Don Davis .... additional orchestrator (uncredited)
Robert Hambling .... assistant editor (uncredited)
Randy Harrison .... production assistant (uncredited)
Paul Kenward .... focus puller (uncredited)
Steve Maguire .... assistant editor (uncredited)
Michael McDermott .... gaffer: second unit (uncredited)
Pat Miller .... electrician (uncredited)
Jan Pester .... steadicam operator (uncredited)
Nigel Seal .... assistant camera (uncredited)

 

[MetalAlien]

The movie changed my life, but as the years go on I lean more towards Alien... still Aliens will never be forgotten.

Still waiting for an alien movie to top aliens for the sheer thrill ride factor.

http://www.metalalien.com

 

[eLGee]

Cameron should make a direct sequel to Aliens, ignoring what happened in "Alien 3" and "Alien Resurrection", like they did with "Superman Returns". But I guess Sigourney is a bit too old for the part now.

 

[MetalAlien]

Cameron should make a direct sequel to Aliens, ignoring what happened in "Alien 3" and "Alien Resurrection", like they did with "Superman Returns". But I guess Sigourney is a bit too old for the part now.

I agree about forgetting part 3 and 4, but for the love of god do not include Ripley... the series does not need her.... Cameron finished her story with part 2.

 

[mrroboto]

Cameron should make a direct sequel to Aliens, ignoring what happened in "Alien 3" and "Alien Resurrection", like they did with "Superman Returns". But I guess Sigourney is a bit too old for the part now.

I love you. :lol

Totally agree.

Cameron did approach Fox to write and direct ALIEN 5 but they turned him down instead going with the Alien vs. Predator movie.

 

[mrroboto]

I agree about forgetting part 3 and 4, but for the love of god do not include Ripley... the series does not need her.... Cameron finished her story with part 2.

I'd love to see the colonial marines again. I'm really surprised Fox didn't spin them off into another movie series. Alot of cool possibilities.

 

[jjasper]

I have always like Aliens more for some reason. I guess because I am more into action movies than suspenseful horror movies.

I also agree with what everone has said go from 2 and build it up.

 

[B'z-chan]

They really should start from 2 and go from there. The movie was just freaking great. I'm pissed that they're doing another AVP, AVP was the worst shit ever and then you got Alien 3 the mess and Resurection which is just an excuse.

How is the special edition dvd's video quality? I bought it before the rereleased them in the Quadrology set. I heard its all redone and clean.

I dont think Cameron has done us wrong with scifi action movies. Aliens, Abyss, and T2

 

[buckfutter]

I actually think 3 was very underrated. It mostly gets put down for what it did to the conclusion of 2, which is a little unfair if you ask me. Even so, it wasn't quite up to the standards of the first two.

4, however, was simply terrible.

 

[TJ Bennett]

I actually think 3 was very underrated. It mostly gets put down for what it did to the conclusion of 2, which is a little unfair if you ask me. Even so, it wasn't quite up to the standards of the first two.

4, however, was simply terrible.

Well put sir.

I love the first three, can't stand the fourth.

 

[MetalAlien]

Alien3 is a fine film, it's just a horrible sequel.

 

[Ichirou]

This is probably one of the best sequels ever made. It successfully expands the previous film's universe and successfully adapts the setting to a new genre. From suspense/horror movie to war/action movie, it's very difficult to make the jump from one film in a series to another, but Cameron accomplished it successfully.

I could rant about how much Cameron stole from Starship Troopers for the story of Aliens (Cameron's pretty well-known for his plagiarism - The Terminator debacle with Harlan Ellison, for example, and the trouble he got into with the drawing of Kate Winslet in Titanic), but out of respect for this thread, I won't. However it came to be, it's a great movie and it inspired hundreds of ripoffs by lesser talents.

The design and execution of the Alien Queen is amazing, as well. I really don't see any film studio attempting to do something so huge with practical effects nowadays - they'd use CG and the film would suffer for it. The Alien Queen is a testament to the artistry of the creature FX people on that movie. Kudos to Stan Winston.

 

[Ollie Pooch]

i have a massive poster of that second pic on my wall

Aliens is my favourite movie ever, by a long shot.

 

[Templar Wizard]

There is nothing more I add to the already gushing posts, all true btw.
Aliens is my favourite movie.

I highly reccomend watching it with the commentary track, if only for Lance's shitstirring about the 'fun' which was on set.

Also, It hads the BEST LAST REEL EVER.

Queen, Nuke, Lifter Fight.

 

[brandonh83]

Aliens is still my favorite action film of all time. And I don't see anything ever topping it.

 

[C4Lukins]

Alien3 is a fine film, it's just a horrible sequel.

Exactly. I probably could enjoy it for what it is, if it hadn't completly raped the progression of what Cameron had turned into a very epic storyline involving Ripley and the survivors from Aliens.


Aliens is a great movie though, as is the first one for completely different reasons. I wish they were rereleasing it in theatres for the anniversary. I would imagine it could pull some pretty decent numbers even today.

 

[ryutaro's mama]

I think I was a little kid when this movie came out.

Still holds up today.

I've seen it so many times, I know the script word for word.

Seriously.

 

[Warm Machine]

Aliens is as good as movies get.

 

[Ollie Pooch]

There is nothing more I add to the already gushing posts, all true btw.
Aliens is my favourite movie.

I highly reccomend watching it with the commentary track, if only for Lance's shitstirring about the 'fun' which was on set.

Also, It hads the BEST LAST REEL EVER.

Queen, Nuke, Lifter Fight.

agreed. one of the most intense action movies ever.

i love the long build up with no action at all, then full on with virtually no let up until the very end. i get sucked in every time too many awesome scenes to list. and the effects still hold up today.

 

[NotWii]

They should re-release it in cinemas like they did with Alien: Director's Cut

 

[Wollan]

Probably my favorite epic action movie. It's so perfectly paced from start to finish with a ton of character. Also, probably the most influental movie for videogames ever.

 

[NotWii]

It's really depressing when you compare Aliens to the crap that gets released nowdays

 

[Kevtones]

I'm really surprised it hasn't been picked up for re-release. It has aged just as well as Alien has and is a PHENOMENAL movie by any standard. Action movies just don't get any better.

 

[COCKLES]

"Yeah man but this is the dry heat!"

 

[Wollan]

Im still in awe over the modest 18mill$ production cost for this movie. While costs have gone up since 1986 it's still pretty incredible.

 

[D2M15]

Also, It hads the BEST LAST REEL EVER.
Queen, Nuke, Lifter Fight.

Every one of those got cheers and whoops when I saw it at the theater, and when Cameron's finally like OK THIS TIME IT REALLY, REALLY IS THE CLIMAX it got a standing ovation.

Good times.

Im still in awe over the modest 18mill$ production cost for this movie. While costs have gone up since 1986 it's still pretty incredible.

"Hold on one second: this installation has a substantial dollar value attached to it."
"They can bill me."

 

[Solo]

I will never flinch from the position that Scott's Alien is vastly superior. With that said, Cameron's sequel is also a classic, and I like how he didnt try to simply redo Alien, but made it his own thing, infusing some serious action in lieu of Scott's psychological horror. Both are great. Never seen the two others.

Now where the **** is the DVD with a pristine restoration like Alien got? The Aliens video quality from the last release was awful.

 

[dalyr95]

I'm ready, man, check it out. I am the ultimate badass! State of the badass art!
You do NOT want to **** with me. Check it out! Hey Ripley, don't worry.
Me and my squad of ultimate badasses will protect you! Check it out!
Independently targeting particle beam phalanx. Whoa! Fry half a city with this puppy. We got tactical smart missiles, phase-plasma pulse rifles, RPGs, we got sonic electronic ball breakers! We got nukes, we got knives, sharp sticks...

****ing brilliant movie, they need to do a Colonial Marines spin off, the whole Ripley thing was getting worn.

 

[Evenball]

The grain on the film in Aliens is a result of the film stock they got that year (according to Cameron's commentary) and is permanent. You won't get much better quality from it. Still a fantastic movie though and really shows what a low-budget team can do when given a modest budget.

 

[ahmad]

I <3 Aliens

 

[JB1981]

One of the most consistently thrilling action films ever made, period.

Easily one of my all-time favorites. It never gets old.

 

[JB1981]

I agree about forgetting part 3 and 4, but for the love of god do not include Ripley... the series does not need her.... Cameron finished her story with part 2.

Yup, Him and Scott were going to collaborate. Fox probably got nervous about budget and went with Anderson instead, someone they could have a lot more control over.

 

[Holtz]

Aliens was ****ing awesome, my favorite movie of all time. Cameron made an amazing action movie with fantastic characters from the setup by Ridley Scott. The colonial marines were a great addition, and Ripley showed once again why she is the best female action star ever. And so many great quotes:
[Pulling out his pump-action shotgun]
Hicks: I like to keep this handy for close encounters.

Gorman: Hicks, meet me at the south lock. We're coming in.
Hudson: He's coming in. I feel safer already.

Apone: All right, sweethearts, what are you waiting for? Breakfast in bed? Another glorious day in the corps! A day in the Marine Corps is like a day on the farm. Every meal's a banquet! Every paycheck a fortune! Every formation a parade! I LOVE the corps!

Hudson: Game over man... Game over!
:lol

 

[Spectral Glider]

I'll take Aliens over T2 any day of the week. It just might be Cameron's best.

 

[Rabid Wolverine]

One of the greatest movies ever made.

James Cameron and Stan Winston, top notch characters which were brilliantly portrayed.

Never a dull moment in the movie.

Cameron & Winston should be doing Halo.

 

[Solo]

Ill take T2 over Aliens any day of the week :lol With that said, Id take both + T1 and the Abyss over most sci-fi in the past decade any day. This topic actually saddens me, because I inevitably wind up thinking "what the **** happened to Jimmy Cameron?". After True Lies and Titanic, he disappeared into documentary nothingness. Yes, I know hes got these two trilogies finally coming, but honestly, neither sound too interesting to me, and I honestly wonder if after almost 10 years since his last feature, if Cameron's still got it. Also, no more awesome practical effects from Jimmy and Co Im sure theyll CG the hell outta Avatar and Battle Angel.

 

[JB1981]

Apone: All right, sweethearts, what are you waiting for? Breakfast in bed? Another glorious day in the corps! A day in the Marine Corps is like a day on the farm. Every meal's a banquet! Every paycheck a fortune! Every formation a parade! I LOVE the corps!

I LOL'd :lol

 

[NotWii]

I'll take Aliens over T2 any day of the week. It just might be Cameron's best.

It IS

 

[Holtz]

Apone: All right, sweethearts, what are you waiting for? Breakfast in bed? Another glorious day in the corps! A day in the Marine Corps is like a day on the farm. Every meal's a banquet! Every paycheck a fortune! Every formation a parade! I LOVE the corps!

I LOL'd :lol

Hudson, Look into my eye:

Aaaaaaaabsolutey bad asses. Let's pack em in!
Apone is the man.

 

[D2M15]

"Someone said 'alien', she thought they said 'illegal alien' and signed up."

Whoo boy, did I wear my copy's tape down at that pull-ups scene.

 

[Templar Wizard]

Every one of those got cheers and whoops when I saw it at the theater, and when Cameron's finally like OK THIS TIME IT REALLY, REALLY IS THE CLIMAX it got a standing ovation.

Good times.



"Hold on one second: this installation has a substantial dollar value attached to it."
"They can bill me."

I sneaked into the local cinema when I was 11. I knew I had to see the movie, little did I realise I was going to see exactly what I ever dreamed off. Once it finished, I had to go to the next showing.

 

[Rabid Wolverine]

Hudson, Look into my eye:

Aaaaaaaabsolutey bad asses. Let's pack em in!
Apone is the man.

:lol

That scene always cracks me up.