In 1986, seven years after the groundbreaking Alien, director James Cameron released its long-awaited sequel. Rather then trying to recreate Ridley Scott’s claustrophobic 1979 horror, Cameron transformed it into something bigger, louder and more militaristic.
Forty years later, Aliens remains one of the rare sequels that can credibly stand alongside – and perhaps even surpass – its predecessor. A friendly argument among friends might debate which sequels are better than the originals. The Godfather Part II, The Empire Strikes Back and Terminator 2 are usually among the contenders. Aliens can be added to that list.
