What are your 2 favorite films in the Alien film series and why ?ay why, fo

[M.A.C.O.]

I now need to watch the theatrical and extended cuts of Aliens back to back. I've seen both in the past, and I own the extended edition of Aliens, but I never sat down to discern which was better.

With regard to Alien's theatrical and directors cut, I go with the theatrical.

 

[KyleRaynous]

I now need to watch the theatrical and extended cuts of Aliens back to back. I've seen both in the past, and I own the extended edition of Aliens, but I never sat down to discern which was better.

For me, there has never being any doubt. The extended version of Aliens is like that of Terminator 2. Those are the only versions that have ever existed...

The director's cut adds the background of Ripley's daughter (vital to understand the nature of her future relationship with Newt), a couple of additional connections with Alien, the sentry guns scenes (rather cheap, but adds to the suspense of the Xenomorphs approaching) and even a wink to the Queen's existence given Bishop's research. Obviously, the scene of Newt's parents helps to put the issue of the colony into context...

 

[Timby]

Obviously, the scene of Newt's parents helps to put the issue of the colony into context...

I don't think it needs any further context; the minute Burke tells Ripley that there's a colony on LV-426, her "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU" reaction says everything we need.

 

[KyleRaynous]

I don't think it needs any further context; the minute Burke tells Ripley that there's a colony on LV-426, her "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU" reaction says everything we need.

True, but it is narratively correct to throw the scene in the colony after its mention when Ripley learns about LV-426 current situation. It's not like it's going to spoil things because, like you said, when we found out about that, it was all pretty damn clear. In addition, the disaster in the colony does not occur until Newt's parents actually encounter the alien derelict. The fact this happened just after Ripley's return, and that there was a message sent from the earth to explore that area creates an additional mystery and intrigues that would be confirmed later.

Also, I think seeing Newt with her family gives an extra touch to the empathy you feel with her later. Plus, we get to see the ship from Alien once again and, or couse, the horror...

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Back in the day, we only needed to hear Vader say, "Bring my shuttle!"

 

[Beagleman]

Sounds like sad days.

 

[Smellmet]

The first two are clearly the best, but theres still lots to enjoy in 3 and 4. For me, Aliens is the best one though. Just such an intense experience even after all these years.

 

[Noname Given]

#1 Aliens
#2 Alien

The rest (including Alien 3, Alien 4, the various AVP films and Prometheus) are crap. I'll probably add Alien: Covenant to the 'crap' list (the trailers don't inspire me to see it in theatres); but it'll probably be a year before I try and sit through it when it gets to the pay cable services.

Of, and as far as the 'Aliens: Extended Cut' the ONLY great added scene is the Aliens doing the suicide run on the machine gun turrets in the underground tunnels. All the other re-added footage (including the Colony stuff) is best left on the cutting room floor. I mean yes, we KNOW that the Colony is going to have been overrun by the time Ripley and Co. get there - but I like that we don't know for sure until they get there in the original theatrical cut. The extended cut also kind of spoils the shock of finding Newt there still alive IMO, To me showing the colonists prior to the attack adds nothing but running time to the film.

 

[Timby]

The extended cut also kind of spoils the shock of finding Newt there still alive IMO, To me showing the colonists prior to the attack adds nothing but running time to the film.

Yeah, the panicked Marines freaking out over the motion tracker, only to find out it's Newt, is a brilliantly paced bit of tension.

 

[Smellmet]

Watching it for the first time it's got to be the theatrical cut, subsequent viewings I'm happy to watch the directors cut however.

 

[MacLeod]

The extended cut also kind of spoils the shock of finding Newt there still alive IMO, To me showing the colonists prior to the attack adds nothing but running time to the film.

But if you are watching it for the first time how do you know she had survived? all we have a line is she is good at hiding.

 

[DonIago]

Barring situations where you're watching someone else's copy, how many people would really be seeing it for the first time and be seeing the extended cut, in any case?

I mean, I guess that's more likely as time goes by...

 

[CorporalCaptain]

But if you are watching it for the first time how do you know she had survived? all we have a line is she is good at hiding.

Which is enough.

 

[lurok]

Timby nailed above. The theatrical release wisely cut all the obvious expositional stuff (on basis of 'show, don't tell').

I personally think best to watch theatrical cut first and enjoy, then director's cut which adds another level.

 

[Vger23]

Typically, the theatrical release is a better and tighter film. Director's Cuts etc are curiosities that are very cool once you've become familiar with the original release.

This is how I view the Alien movies. I've seen the original 4 so many times...that watching the alternate versions is now a novelty that I really enjoy. I don't prefer those versions...but they're fun because I've seen the other versions so many times.

 

[kirk55555]

Having just finished Prometheus, here's how I rate the movies I've seen:

Aliens > Alien > Alien 3 > Alien Resurrection >>> Prometheus

Now, Prometheus is technically a better made film then Resurrection, but I really disliked the story and basically hated every character (with the possible exception of Idris Elba's character). Resurrection was stupid, but it was more entertaining overall and I cared more about Ripley-clone (even if she was really weird) then I did about any of the Prometheus crew.

It also never irritated me with the idiocy of the characters. Not that there weren't stupid characters in AR, they just didn't annoy me as much, plus they were more entertaining characters and I didn't hate any of them like I hated some of the Prometheus characters (especially Shaw and Holloway, they were really just terrible). AR also never got super pretentious like Prometheus. I still need to see AvP 1 & 2, but as of right now Prometheus is the first Alien movie I really don't think I'd rewatch, and don't have really anything good to say about it outside of it looking nice.

 

[MacLeod]

Typically, the theatrical release is a better and tighter film. Director's Cuts etc are curiosities that are very cool once you've become familiar with the original release.

It of course varies from film as to which is better a directors cut of the theatrical cut, but one film were I think the theatrical cut is better than the directors cut is TUC.