Original Alien Trilogy - Special Editions vs Theatrical

I've been re watching the first 3 Alien movies and noticed that my box set allows you to choose the 2003 special editions for Alien and Alien 3, and the 1990 edition from Aliens. Some thoughts - I actually didn't notice a difference between Alien and the 2003 version. Aliens was quite different though, seemed like a lot of scenes were edited back in. - typical for a James Cameron movie of that time period, as he'd gut his own movies regularly (for example, the Abyss) I think I preferred the 1990 version, just because it more fully fulfills James Cameron's original vision. Alien 3 I didn't remember much from the original, so I don't know whether the 2003 version is better or worse, but apparently the original was cut up so much due to studio interference that the director disowned it. Is the 2003 any better though?

 

I prefer the theatrical cut of Alien, and the alternate cuts for Aliens and Alien3. (Both of which have drawbacks, but I still prefer them.) There is no true Fincher-approved cut of Alien3, he washed his hands of the film completely.

 

I prefer the theatrical cut of Alien over the Director cut If that's the alternate version you're referring to). In the director version there are some additional scenes that show the fate of some of the crew members, etc and I thought the film was better with some of that left to the viewer's imagination.

The alternate version of Alien 3 is called the "Assembly Cut" on some releases and it's far, FAR better than the theatrical, which did get butchered by the studio. Fincher himself went on a tirade of sorts about this in several interview transcripts I've read and I can see why. The entire opening sequence got changed, which basically changed much of meaning of where the setting of the film took place, plus a LOT of character development and dialogue was removed,among other things. I highly recommend watching the Assembly Cut of this one. I rate the theatrical pretty low, but the Assembly much more highly...

I haven't seen the alternate version of Aliens so can't comment on that.

 

Wow. No love AT ALL for Alien Resurrection (either version). You'd think Prometheus/Covenant would've (slightly) raised that movie's stock with at least SOME fans...

 

Does that movie have an alternate cut?

 

Well in comparison, yes...
Alien
Alien³
Aliens
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.
Resurrection
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.
.
.
.
.
Prometheus
Covenant

 

Yes. One which was pretty much only made so that the set could be released with each film having two cuts. Neither cut is particularly good.

 

I liked Alien 3 pretty well just baed on the theatrical cut, so I should probably pick up the blu ray (which has the assembly cut in the most convenient way to pick it up) eventually. I usually wouldn't double dip since I got a Alien 4 pack DVD set, but I liked Alien 3 well enough that if it has a better cut I do want to check it out.

As for Resurrection, for me it is above Covenant and definitely above Prometheus, but I don't really need to see an alternate cut of it.

 

I agree completely on the order... for me though there'd be a bigger gap between Alien 3 and Aliens tho. Just not a Cameron fan, I guess...

 

Alien


Alien3
Aliens


Covenant

Resurrection
Prometheus






AvP












AvP:R

 

If we include the AvPs, I think I enjoy AvP more than Prometheus or Covenant (given that there is a lot of alcohol involved) but yes, AvP:R is sooo far down that list... there are probably one or two Sharknadoes one could place above it.

 

I would place all of the Sharknados above AVP: R and probably over the first AVP as well. At least Sharknado knows it is a ridiculous movie franchise from the outset.

 

Does anyone know what Fincher wanted to do with Alien 3, and what it is that the studio made him change instead?

 

Definitely prefer the theatrical cut of the first two movies. Ripley's little side trip at the end of Alien completely ruins the narrative flow and tension of that movie, and in Aliens it's a whole lot more eerie and compelling when we haven't seen the colony up front and know only as much as Ripley and company do going in.

As for the Alien 3 Assembly Cut, I can definitely see the potential for a better film in that, but (much like the Superman II Donner Cut) the rough film quality makes it hard to watch so I'd still rather watch the finalized theatrical cut. Which to me has always been hugely underrated anyway.

And the other movies I just have no interest in ever watching again in any format.

 

The meddling that went on with Alien 3 is legendary in the AVP fan community. The troubles started early and kept going right up until it hit the theaters. Sigourney Weaver insisted on no weapons. At one point the story took place on a giant wooden space station with monks in the shape of a giant wheel (yes, seriously). There were farm scenes, weird body bursters (as in they would come out from all over the body, very much like Covenant's protobursters) and at one point originally it was going to be Hicks and Newt who took the lead with a mostly traumatized and near catatonic or sedated Ripley in the background for much of the movie being essentially useless.

When Fincher got involved after all of the above had been revised so many times (no less than 10 writers putting their spin) and the studio had such a stranglehold on the creativity behind it that it was a surprise they made anything as coherent as what we got. Then they further butchered the final movie and tossed it in the theater.

The Assembly Cut is the closest we got to Fincher's vision, which was never fully realized to begin with and the original idea for the movie was altered to only a few scenes and drastic alterations to the story. The monks and their station became the prisoners in their prison, Hicks and Newt were killed off because the studio cheaped out and would not pay for Michael Biehn (not even his likeness for the death scene which is why his face isn't shown) and the actress who played Newt was not acting anymore.

This is classic Fox running a property into the ground with no plan or thought involved.

 

At the end of the Alien 3 alt cut, the alien doesn't burst out of Ripley's stomach at the end when she's falling to her death. Just wondered why that was, was it not part of the original plan, or some thought it was silly or something?

The first 6/7 time I saw Aliens was the directors cut as my brother had it on video, I never even saw the Theatrical until I got the DVD with both on it. So to me watching that always feels like half of it's missing, so has to be DC for me.
And then Alien & Alien 3 are just kinda interesting alternate takes. Never too much of a fan of Resurrection so I can hardly notice what's different. Both versions of the ending scene aren't that great either way.

I do prefer the ending to the alternate Alien 3 cut with extended stuff from "Bishop." But then in the aforementioned cut of the chestburster, that cut does kinda ruin the excellent score in that moment, so to me that's the only downfall. Say what you will about the movie, but that music at the end is awesome


Also randomly while on the subject of Alien 3, Ripley's speech is one my favourite parts of the franchise
"When they first heard about this thing, it was "crew expendable". The next time they sent in marines- they were expendable too. What makes you think they're gonna care about a bunch of lifers who found God at the ass end of space? You really think they're gonna let you interfere with their plans for this thing? They think we're - we're crud. And they don't give a FUCK about one friend of yours that's - that's died. Not one."

 

For me it's Alien theatrical, Aliens DC, Alien 3 theatrical. While the Aliens DC adds some interesting background story bits the DCs of Alien and Alien 3 kiill a lot of dramatic momentum IMO.

 

Fox absolutely paid for Biehn's likeness (the image that comes up on his death report to The Company -- a promo photo from Aliens was used) ...Biehn has gone on record that he was paid more for his likeness appearing in Alien3 than he was to actually be in Aliens.

 

The extra footage in Aliens is pretty spiffy, but it doesn't add anyhting of importance to the film, and just makes it too long. The theatrical cut is much more taut, and pacey.

 

Aliens SE (rare example where deleted scenes add to story and character; but yes, the theatrical is more taut)
Alien (no deleted scenes; they don't really add anything)
Alien 3 Directors Cut (superior to theatrical)
Resurrection
Prometheus
Covenant