I recently binge watched all the Alien movies. They are all watchable, some more than the other :)
This is my list (please note that this is just my opinion. reason i'm saying this --> i do not like Aliens)
1. Alien
What can I say? One of the best movies of all time. Atmosphere, mood, symbolism, ... One of the best directed movies ever. All the characters feel so real. Fantastic score by Jerry Goldsmith. The best (production)design ever by Roger Christian, Ron Cobb, Moebius and of course Giger.
One of the best things in this movie (and it's almost never brought up in a forum or so) is the sound design. The whole 'computer boot sequence' in the beginning of the movie is a masterpiece in sound design. Or when Brett is looking for the cat, the sound the chains make. Incredible!
2. Aliens
Even though I don't like it as much as the first movie, it's OK. I have a love/hate relationship with this movie I guess. I don't like the jump scares. I absolutely hate the music that you hear anytime there is a jumpscare. I don't care for Newt. I don't care for the queen. In my opinion the only reason the queen was there was to have an end fight between two mothers (the queen VS Ripley, who has lost her daughter, but now she is a mother figure to Newt). And that is the only symbolism you'll find in the movie. Whenever I watch Aliens, I realize how good Alien is :)
I do however like the Marines. One of the complaints you often hear about this movie is that it has cartoon characters. I liked them. They are supposed to be a bit cartoony. Predator has the same characters and no one complains about those characters (however, Predator has a more humoristic tone, so maybe that's why people never complain about the Predator characters?). I know people like that in the real world, I have worked with them :)
And, it's a well made movie. Good effects, nice editing, ...
Oh, and the Theatrical Cut is superior to the Directors Cut. But in the end, to me, it's a stupid loud action/scifi movie. Still the 2nd best in the Alien series.
3. Alien 3
Starts OK. 2nd half is boring and not well paced. CGI has aged badly. However, I like the whole 'prison-setting', I like the British bald dudes and I like the warden :)
Some people hate it because they killed off Newt and Hicks. Or they have a problem with the egg(s). Plotholes. I don't mind that. I try to watch each movie as a standalone film.
4. Prometheus
The story is stupid. The characters are stupid. However, it is incredibly well made. And I like the soundtrack.
Ridley Scott, why did you hire those writers ?!?
5. Alien Resurrection
The only good thing about in this movie are the Ripley/Call scenes. Always had a soft spot for Winona Ryder :)
I also like the wheelchair dude :)
6. AVP
Well, actually, it's not as bad as many people say. Stupid fun. Just like Predators.
I have not seen Requiem.
TL.DR: Alien is a masterpiece. Aliens is OK. The rest is fun to watch.
English isn't my 1st language. I'm sorry for any mistakes in grammar, spelling...
reply
share