View Full Version : Which is the best in the Alien Quadrilogy
NokkonWud
11-06-2009, 23:22
Been arguing this with people for a while and have just rewatched both myself, so lets settle it forum style.
Which of the Alien Quadrilogy is the best?
Flibster
11-06-2009, 23:26
Theatrical cut of Alien
Followed by directors cut of Aliens and the extended cut of Alien 3
Then not watching Resurrection.
Psymonkee
11-06-2009, 23:33
For me Aliens just edges it :D
Both cracking films though :)
leowyatt
11-06-2009, 23:33
For me I prefer Aliens :)
A Place of Light
12-06-2009, 00:00
The female vote could probably favour the first movie.....but I'll be surprised if the male vote isn't overwhelmingly for the second, especially the extended version.
SidewinderINC
12-06-2009, 00:13
The Assembly Cut of Alien 3 is by far the best of the 4.
Out of the three I've seen, I'd say Aliens.
I've not seen Alien 3 though :( Stupid boyfriend at the time got me to watch 1, 2 and 4 saying that 3 was crap despite me questioning why skip a film when we could just watch all 4 :p
So you ask about a Quadrilogy, and then only offer two options? What's up with that? :p
Didn't really like any of them (don't like jumpy movies), but if forced I'd put Aliens first.
Alien vs Predator.
*runs*
Alien really.
Aliens > Alien > 3 > 4
Was H R Geiger still involved after Alien?
Was H R Geiger still involved after Alien?
Ooops I meant Giger...
I see they farrked him over after Aliens. Poor Hans Rudi.
Aliens.
But you know what? I REALLY like AVP!!!! :o
NokkonWud
12-06-2009, 09:37
So you ask about a Quadrilogy, and then only offer two options? What's up with that? :p
Because if you prefer 3 or 4 over 1 or 2 there is something so wrong you can't be trusted on the Internetz!
Jen, your ex was right. Alien 3 does suck, but I wouldn't have skipped it. I do think it's the worst of the 4 though.
And I too liked AVP.
Streeteh
12-06-2009, 10:06
How anyone can say that any of the Alien trilogy is worse than the 4th film is beyond me. It was just terrible! 3 was the poorest effort but it still outdid 4 by a country mile, the scene where the guy ricochet the bullet off of some pipes was just so cringeworthy. Alien vs Predator is one of those films that destroyed my faith in humanity, it still hasn't quite recovered.
Alien is the better horror film, Aliens is more of an action film, but overall the latter is the better movie imo.
Alien, original and best. I'm sorry I can't totally write off Alien Resurrection though as the very lovely Michael Wincott is in it..... mind you I do tend to lose interest in it a bit after that right enough :o
I do need to see 3, but I'm quite scared of the thought of it being worse than 4 :shocked: 4 was atrocious ;D
I really liked Resurrection - the whole idea of Ripley being cloned with some alien DNA was, though implausible, a nice touch. I think people dismiss it too easily, because the combined affinity/disgust she shows for both herself and the aliens was done really well. Especially near the end with the hybrid (alien with human eyes! Spooky!). I even liked Winona Ryder's advanced cyborg.
It's unfortunate they threw in a bunch of stereotypical smuggler characters and made it too much like a brainless action movie, as it could have been something really good.
Overall though I'd have to go for Aliens as my favourite. Hugely suspenseful and showed the species as a true powerhouse of evolutionary survival. I really should go back and watch the original film soon though - a fresh viewing may change my mind.
Del Lardo
12-06-2009, 11:10
I do need to see 3, but I'm quite scared of the thought of it being worse than 4 :shocked: 4 was atrocious ;D
Not a chance. 3 was just a bad attempt to follow up on the action front that Aliens setup. 4 was a genuinely ****e film in its own right
NokkonWud
12-06-2009, 12:10
I really liked Resurrection - the whole idea of Ripley being cloned with some alien DNA was, though implausible, a nice touch. I think people dismiss it too easily, because the combined affinity/disgust she shows for both herself and the aliens was done really well. Especially near the end with the hybrid (alien with human eyes! Spooky!). I even liked Winona Ryder's advanced cyborg.
That's why I liked it. The basis for the story is actually really good, it could have been outstanding, but then they went too much for the action and 'hollywood' stylings. What staggers me is that these classic, cult movies are revered for not sticking to the standards, that's why Alien, Aliens and The Thing (amongst a few others) are loved so much. It's crazy.
Aliens for me, I think it captured all the essence of teh first but there was loads of them and you couldn't help but think they were doomed.
Might have also been the fact i was seeing a girl who worked in the cinema at the time and got to watch it three times :D
NokkonWud
12-06-2009, 15:32
I think I prefer the first one because it only took ONE Alien and ONE Facehugger to absolutely decimate them, resulting in the self-destruction of a ship in a bid to get rid of just one thing and the end result was drifting through space for 57 years. I think the whole tension and unknown of it was a plus, where as Aliens was very clear and open in showing you the Alien species.
Pumpkinstew
12-06-2009, 16:41
Fincher's directors cut of Alien 3 is a vast improvement on the theatrical release but it still doesn't come close to Alien or Aliens.
Aliens is a superb film. Probably Jim Cameron's second best film (behind T2, but that's an argument for another thread) but the stereotypical corporate scumbag and dumb Hollywood showdown at the climax leave it flawed.
Alien on the other hand is very close to the perfect film. The direction and cinematography are practically flawless, and the pacing is a masterclass in controlled storytelling. The infrequent glimpses of the alien (forced on Scott by the way the beast looked like a guy in rubber suit in good lighting) just adds to the fear of the unknown. When else has a moving dot filled you with terror?
The characters are better drawn and there are at least four scenes I wish I could use brain bleach on and watch again for the first time.
Of all the many films I've seen Alien is among the three that I consider to stand out from the rest as my very favourites, and I could watch it again and again and again.
Flibster
12-06-2009, 16:56
Fincher's directors cut of Alien 3 is a vast improvement on the theatrical release but it still doesn't come close to Alien or Aliens.
He had nothing to do with the extended cut.
It's not called the Directors Cut for a reason. ;)
He pretty much had nothing to do with the theatrical cut either. He left the film's production before editing because the studio kept messing him about.
Pumpkinstew
12-06-2009, 17:11
I stand corrected.
13 people are still wrong about Aliens being better than Alien though :p
Ooooo err.
This is a hard one. Concept wise, you obviously have to hand it to Alien for it's originality. But, generally, I prefer to watch Aliens. Vasquez owns. The lines are stupendously awesome. The whole scenario is just wicked.
I do love both though. But vote wise... I will have to go with what I would watch I guess and plonk Aliens :)
Dymetrie
12-06-2009, 17:48
Alien is a horror film.
Aliens is an action film.
I prefer horror films.
:D
NokkonWud
12-06-2009, 20:55
Alien on the other hand is very close to the perfect film. The direction and cinematography are practically flawless, and the pacing is a masterclass in controlled storytelling.
I agree, it really is. And on top of that all, it's not even close to being Ridley Scott's best film. (which for interest of those wondering, is Blade Runner).
A Place of Light
13-06-2009, 12:12
I bought the quadrilogy a few months back for a tenner from Hoomv.
Bargain IMHO.
Linkage (http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1;-1&sku=106275)
I bought the quadrilogy a few months back for a tenner from Hoomv.
Bargain IMHO.
Linkage (http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1;-1&sku=106275)
Me too. Awesome deal.
I bought the quadrilogy a few months back for a tenner from Hoomv.
Bargain IMHO.
Linkage (http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1;-1&sku=106275)
I think I bought it from hoomv for £15 a couple of years ago. Glad I did, right up until I watched the 4th film, then wished I could have bought a Trilogy.
then wished I could have bought a Trilogy.
http://www.amazon.com/Alien-Trilogy-VHS-Sigourney-Weaver/dp/6302822688
Woo VHS!
The results disgusts me.
*throws keybaord around in a huff*
death to your blasphemous ways.
leowyatt
18-06-2009, 14:26
haah woohooo :D \o/
http://www.amazon.com/Alien-Trilogy-VHS-Sigourney-Weaver/dp/6302822688
Woo VHS!
Good call! It's even the NTSC version. ;D
I've got the PAL version here. Given that I'll soon be scrapping at least most of my VHS tapes, I'll be glad to be rid of it. :)
AboveTheSalt
19-06-2009, 10:06
Alien Quadrilogy (9 DVD box set) @ £10 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alien-Quadrilogy-Disc-Complete-Box/dp/B0000C24F3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1245402211&sr=8-1) from Amazon.co.uk
Got to be honest, I can only remember the 1st one so I voted for that.
Admiral Huddy
19-06-2009, 11:59
well since there's only 2 options instead of 4 good job my fav was the second :)
NokkonWud
19-06-2009, 13:07
well since there's only 2 options instead of 4 good job my fav was the second :)
But everyones favourites should be one of the first 2 ;).
But everyones favourites should be the first.
Fixed :p
SidewinderINC
20-06-2009, 14:47
http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/film/f4ss_2009/948.asp
I'm going to this for my birthday :D
This really depends on the mood I'm in. If I'm after an action movie then the second of the four obviously. More suspense wanted... then I'll watch the first movie.
Um the third is ok by itself but a bit carp as part of the franchise and I quite enjoyed the fourth 'til the last 15 minutes or so with the hybrid thing.
If I absolutely had to pick a favourite then it would Aliens:Special Edition. (I like my action movies :))
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