“Game over man, game over!” Yes, if you have seen this wonderful film you know the line by heart. While entirely relevant to the film’s plot, both James Cameron and the late Bill Paxton had no idea that those five words would influence pop culture.
The first film, “Alien,” was released in 1979. It was groundbreaking for two distinct reasons; the first being that the film created the sci-fi horror genre and the other being the film’s protagonist, Ellen Ripley, was female.
The masterpiece that is the first film was created, and directed by Ridley Scott. To this day, nearly 40 years later, “Alien” is regarded as one of the best films in history.
In 1986, “Aliens” was released. It was directed by the then unknown James Cameron, which left many fans of the original skeptical of the film’s potential. That, coupled with the fact that it had almost been 10 years since the first was released, bogged down the film’s support from Fox and the fans.
Before “Aliens”, James Cameron directed the smash hit “Terminator,” which was released in 1984. The film was a hit, but Cameron was still a nobody in Hollywood.
Sigourney Weaver, who plays Ellen Ripley, had been on board for a sequel since the first film, so Cameron already had some traction for the sequel.
Good friend of Cameron, Bill Paxton, was considered for the film as he had a very small role in 1984’s “Terminator.” Cameron approached Paxton first, and said he would be playing a “badass Marine guy.” Paxton jumped at the role.
In a panel at Comic Con in June of last year, Paxton recounted his famous line. “I’m not good at improvising stuff, what I normally use is just thrown away for the better. The way I saw Hudson was that he was a slacker; he probably grew up on video games and was a born loser. When it came to the line, I improvised it. Jim [James Cameron] went with it, and I guess it stuck.”
With that, one of the most famous lines in film history was born. With the untimely, and heartbreaking, death of Bill Paxton, his line will never be forgotten, and nor will he.
Set 57 years after the first film, “Aliens,” follows Ellen Ripley after she is found drifting in space after she escaped from the first aline epidemic aboard the ship Nostromo in the first film.
The two film are paced, and set, differently. If you want horror, watch “Alien,” but if you want a Space Marine shoot-em-up, watch “Aliens.” This contrast in the films is beautiful.
After communication is lost with the station Hadley’s Hope on LV-426, Colonial Marines, alongside Ellen Ripley and Carter Burke, a representative for the mysterious Weyland-Yutani Corporation.
Michael Biehn, who starred as Reese in “Terminator,” plays Corporal Dwayne Hicks, who is Marine with the team investigating Hadley’s Hope.
Beside the gung-ho marines such as Hicks, Hudson (Paxton), Apone (Al Matthews), there is Bishop, executive office of the Sulaco, and an android, played by Lance Henriksen.
Once the Marines enter Hadley’s Hope, they are greeted by “Newt” (Carrie Henn), the only survivor of the colony.
Aliens is a great film in that it holds up very well 30 years later and that it is a true sequel to the hit film it followed,
The aliens are creepy, the Marines are badass and the film is utterly fantastic, go watch it. Enjoy the whining of Bill Paxton.