Aliens (1986) [8761-85]

I could not resist reviewing Aliens being that it is one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever and a damn good laserdisc. Aliens is the epitome of science fiction as it never disappoints with an original score, memorable characters, extraordinary acting, mind blowing action and the wickedest monsters of filmdom. As the sequel to Alien, a monumental film in it's own right, Aliens never lets go of new ideas that constantly astound the viewer and works those ideas into a perilous and almost inescapable environment. Nods to James Cameron who took the work of brilliant Alien director Ridley Scott and made his own masterpiece sacrificing none of the original premise.

Rarely if ever to you see quality science fiction getting recognition from Hollywood, not that it is all important, but it is definitely substantial. In 1986 Aliens was an Academy Award winner for best sound effects editing and best visual effects. And not to be forgotten is that Sigourney Weaver was nominated for best actress for playing the heroic Ellen Ripley. How often do you see that in sci-fi? That's how good she was. Many of the other players were in top form especially Michael Biehn as Corporal Hicks and Lance Henriksen as Bishop. Carrie Henn also more than held her own as little Newt who pulls the film together.

Aliens is relentless depicting a world (LV-426) previously full of colonists that has now but all been wiped out by the acid for blood organisms that number in the hundreds. When Ripley awakes after an "unusually long hyper sleep" and returns with the marines to the planet, the "bug hunt" is on.

This 1998 double disc gatefold theatrical version release of Aliens is bar non the cream of the crop of Aliens laserdisc releases in the US. I have not had the opportunity to see any of the Japanese or European releases. One Japanese version I've desired has been quite elusive to me. The US "special edition" box set (1504-85) which has a great booklet containing superb artwork and film photos unfortunately is a poor transfer. I can only recommended it for the extensive extended footage which is very good and the booklet. The extra footage can otherwise be seen on the blu ray version as well. With the 1998 LD release director Cameron went back to the original camera negative for a film transfer that presents the best of the laserdisc format.

I remember seeing Aliens in a theatre when it was first released and being totally floored. I relive that experience with this quality laserdisc whenever it's played because of it's natural theatrical-like presentation. A particular scene in the beginning with Ripley relaxing while the smoke waffles up from her cigarette almost has the film projector being heard behind me. The shadowing throughout is nice when you get your settings right. Bright scenes of explosions and fire are vivid. A smooth picture.

The Dolby Digital surround sound rips through the room with clarity. The smashing high end orchestral cymbals lift every scene while your subwoofer keeps a pounding bass. Although the blu ray sound is certainly decent, it can't match the laserdisc with it's uncompressed sonics, personally speaking of course. Aliens is quality sci- fi plain and simple. A laserdisc designed for the home theatre buff to max the system. A tremendous film (do you think he likes it?).

Thank you for taking the time to post all your reviewes remmington.
Very much enjoyed reading this one especially.
A underdog of a film experience.
Could no agree more about maxing out the system for this one.
All star cast with some newcomers adds to the realism created by Cameron.
Top kick movie experience that is exemplar among science fiction creations for the imagination......
Hats off to you for this review.......

Thanks you sir.

One thing - the Blu-ray Aliens soundtrack is completely uncompressed lossless audio as compared to the 384kbps AC-3 LaserDisc. Its dynamics are the same as the LaserDisc, so it's not dynamically compressed either. Except for the THX Alien LaserDisc which uses a different sound mix, the Blu-ray's sound dramatically better than their LaserDisc counterparts. Unlike DVD, Blu-ray soundtracks haven't been routinely limited for small home theater systems. With TrueHD and DTS-HD Master, we're back to lossless linear PCM, just packed like MLP, which I find wonderful.

Yeah the sound on the Aliens blu ray is good. The different mixing on the LD is what I like too. I don't crave hi def releases much anymore because the picture although stunning in some cases looks highly processed and ultra digital.

I have the Aliens PAL directors cut and while the sound is surround only (PAL discs didn't do Dolby digital) the picture is superb, easily the best picture of any laserdisc I've seen. I was seriously unhappy with the tinkering done on the blu-ray especially cleaning up the picture and so apart from Alien, haven't purchased any of the other Alien films on blu-ray.

Roger Shore

Alien and aliens blurays are fine. Alien 3 and alien resurrection didnt get much restoration. They still look good. On alien if you watch directors cut, some of the added scenes are noticably lower res.
In ld world alien resurrection looks good and only one with dts release. Quality of the film is debatable but being released in later years of ld, it looks the best on my pio kuro plasma(kuro=super black levels)

I tried to watch Alien 3 but it's still a mess....


Roger

Good day roger, substance, remington, firehorse_44, disclord,

Reading your views and comments about the Alien franchise has got me thinking about playing the Laserdisc's this weekend when I have some free time.

I do remember the soundtrack of aliens being very powerful indeed, of which really did submerge the viewer into the action.

Thank you for the good read all

Regards

Lets just say most of my laserdiscs are staying in my collection and they still offer great viewing even with the advent of blu-ray.


Roger

Roger I couldn't agree more Here! Here!

I may have another one waiting at my door when I arrive home this evening. . . . .It's only taken more than a month to arrive due to the parasites at UK C.....s...ms.


Lets just say I have paid more than my fair share in customs charges over the years.

Thank you for your thoughs on the Alien subject

Tell me about it. UK customs are a nightmare and when you consider how much other countries are allowed before being taxed, it's a disgrace. A base rate of £12 then a handling charge and then a delivery charge. You can really understand why the Boston Tea party happened in rip off Britain.

Roger Shore

Alien3 has a new director cut for the last dvd release and the new bluray. Alien comes out from an ox instead of a dog. Per fincher this was how it was supposed to be but then changed to from dog while shooting. Dog makes more sense because this alien is more sleek and fast. Later on added/changed scenes and story is better than theatrical cut. Alien3 is a dark film. I dont think the us release ld was a good transfer for its time. There was japanese box set(trilogy) relase a few years newer. Ive never seen it but josh zyber liked it better.

Hi Roger,

Great reply . . . . . .Yes when I have told people what it cost to get the CLD 97 over from the US to my door they are shocked to realize how much I was charged customs alone cost me the princely sum of £332 without the shipping cost's. . . . . .I tell you, the lengths of which us AV enthusiasts go through in order to acquire such hardware. . . . . .

One one occasion they sent me a holding charge, so I rang them and said ''well don't hold it then'' because I had paid to have this brought to my door. . . . . The cheek!

Any way good to read from you

Regards

Nice to hear from other AV/video buffs who encounter the cash cow called UK Customs.

Roger