MovieChat Forums > Aliens (1986) Discussion > A lot of really silly scripting in this

A lot of really silly scripting in this

posted 8 years ago by TroliusMaximus
8 replies | jump to latest

► She awakens just where those interested in the Xenomorphs happen to be ("a thousand-to-one chance"... in vastness of space... more like a billion-to-one!)
► The Alien 'situation' happens to crop up shortly after she wakes from her half-century stasis (Ripley should by a lottery ticket!)
► She flat-out refuses to accompany them on their expedition--due to veritable PTSD--then a nightmare changes her mind overnight (An acidic wet dream?)
► Her purpose there is tenuous--at most--and a patently lazy McGuffin in reality (Why would they even trust her "expertise" on 'Morphs when they weren't even alive when her claimed experiences occurred and they earlier all but mocked her about her catatonia?)
► She sees the synth, Bishop, yet does not cotton on to the fact he's an 'it', until he [conveniently] bleeds milk... despite the fact he's identical to the bot that almost killed her and just played "the knife game" a few metres away (Stasis-induced amnesia / cataracts?)
► In trying to coax the petrified "mostly" girl out from hiding, the marine grabs at her like ravenous 'Morph (Clearly not fatherly material...)
► They (and Ripley) see what's taking place there -- i.e., they're studying the 'Morphs -- yet no one finds this unusual (Ripley was obviously right about the dropped IQ's... including her own)
► Their team leader confiscates their ammunition magazines, without even inquiring as to 'why' he must do it, much less pulling his team back to at least regroup (The military must dump "The Rifleman's Creed" sometime in the future...)
► They clearly wandered into the nesting area of the 'Morphs, yet are far from perturbed; even opportunely playing with corpses to reveal a horror nostalgia moment (I know grunts are dumb, but... c'mon )
► In all their military training, nothing seemed to have been taught about luring out an enemy who's lying in ambush, nor anything about what happens when one gives away one's position with weapons fire...(!)

The first Alien film had the 'unknown' element on its side. Aliens, however, struggled with reconciling much of what its progenitor had established. Thus, is found reaching in a lot respects -- seemingly in a rush to get to its confrontations. As such, it's not to the same lofty standard as the original (albeit a decent film in and of itself), and actually makes Prometheus (and the new film's ho hum trailer) seem better (than they were / are) by comparison. It also demonstrates Scott's greatest weakness: making worthy sequels to his seminal films.

[–] ttaskmaster 8 years ago

► She awakens just where those interested in the Xenomorphs happen to be ("a thousand-to-one chance"... in vastness of space... more like a billion-to-one

!)
No, she doesn't. A deep salvage team finds her and then takes her all the way back to Earth.

► The Alien 'situation' happens to crop up shortly after she wakes from her half-century stasis (Ripley should by a lottery ticket!)

Because Burke sent them out there to check her story. It's no coincidence.

► She flat-out refuses to accompany them on their expedition--due to veritable PTSD--then a nightmare changes her mind overnight (An acidic wet dream?)

Her idea being that facing the things down and utterly removing them from existence will alleviate the PTSD.

► Her purpose there is tenuous--at most--and a patently lazy McGuffin in reality (Why would they even trust her "expertise" on 'Morphs when they weren't even alive when her claimed experiences occurred and they earlier all but mocked her about her catatonia?)

She is the only witness and also serves as a scapegoat for Burke. The whole idea of her being a consultant is a lie by Burke to set her up.

► She sees the synth, Bishop, yet does not cotton on to the fact he's an 'it', until he [conveniently] bleeds milk... despite the fact he's identical to the bot that almost killed her and just played "the knife game" a few metres away (Stasis-induced amnesia / cataracts?)

He looks and behaves NOTHING like Ash and she was seated facing away from the knife game.

► In trying to coax the petrified "mostly" girl out from hiding, the marine grabs at her like ravenous 'Morph (Clearly not fatherly material...)

They're soldiers, not social workers. What do you expect?

► They (and Ripley) see what's taking place there -- i.e., they're studying the 'Morphs -- yet no one finds this unusual (Ripley was obviously right about the dropped IQ's... including her own)

Ripley is the only one who would think it out of place for a terraforming colony to find an unknown lifeform and study it.

► Their team leader confiscates their ammunition magazines, without even inquiring as to 'why' he must do it, much less pulling his team back to at least regroup (The military must dump "The Rifleman's Creed" sometime in the future...)

He does start to enquire and is overruled.

► They clearly wandered into the nesting area of the 'Morphs, yet are far from perturbed; even opportunely playing with corpses to reveal a horror nostalgia moment (I know grunts are dumb, but... c'mon )

No-one 'plays' with a corpse in the film.
The Medic lifts the head of one body, presumably to ascertain cause of death and report back, which would have been their mission anyway.

► In all their military training, nothing seemed to have been taught about luring out an enemy who's lying in ambush, nor anything about what happens when one gives away one's position with weapons fire...(!)

It was taught, but likely only the species they knew about.
Their position is already pretty blatant from the big loud Dropship, big loud APC, bright spotlights, beeping trackers and talking people.
The Xenos also weren't lying in wait, but hibernating and only woke up when their hive was set on fire.

The first Alien film had the 'unknown' element on its side. Aliens, however, struggled with reconciling much of what its progenitor had established. Thus, is found reaching in a lot respects -- seemingly in a rush to get to its confrontations.

A rush?
No confrontation actually happens for the entire first half of the film.

As such, it's not to the same lofty standard as the original

It's a different kind of film than the first, so cannot really be compared. Most of what you need to know about the alien had already been disclosed, so instead they put what should be a superior force up against a swarm of aliens and made a thriller-action film.

[–] NomadNomadovic 8 years ago

► She awakens just where those interested in the Xenomorphs happen to be ("a thousand-to-one chance"... in vastness of space... more like a billion-to-one!)
► The Alien 'situation' happens to crop up shortly after she wakes from her half-century stasis (Ripley should by a lottery ticket!)

Agreed! this movie isnt as good as the fanboys make it, my biggest problem is that the hardcore battle hardened marines died and this ugly Ripley who woke up after fifty years saved the day. Crap!!!

what do you expect from a guy who write crap like I order you not to go I order you not to go  get away from her you bitch!

[–] Kruleworld 8 years ago

my biggest problem is that the hardcore battle hardened marines died and this ugly Ripley who woke up after fifty years saved the day.

you have this problem because you didn't pay attention to the story. The marines are supremely overconfident, which is their downfall. Ripley tried to warn them, but they brushed it off

Vasquez: "I only need to know one thing: where they are" makes gun motion with hands.

"He's dusted, busted and disgusted, but he's ok"

[–] Kruleworld 8 years ago

► Their team leader confiscates their ammunition magazines, without even inquiring as to 'why' he must do it, much less pulling his team back to at least regroup (The military must dump "The Rifleman's Creed" sometime in the future...)

they still had flame units, which would stop most humanoids. "most creatures are afraid of fire, right?"

"He's dusted, busted and disgusted, but he's ok"

[–] ibrarules 8 years ago

Let me summarize Trolius' post: "I prefer Alien over Aliens so I try to find more or less silly nitpicks in order to justify my completely reasonable subjective opinion"

[–] ttaskmaster 8 years ago

Half of it is made up, anyway...

[–] joegerardi-1 8 years ago

Wow. OP didn't get a single posit correct. That has to be some kind of record.

..Joe

[–] pritch636 8 years ago

oh dear.