Artist Aliens

Ridley Scott’s Alien spawned three markedly different sequels. Like the original, though, each explores anxiety about technology, corporate ethics, military might, and the human body via a pitiless creature dedicated only to devouring and reproducing. Alien: Resurrection screenwriter Joss Whedon once commented that each sequel is notable for its failure to live up to the original. Some would argue that the series’ second installation, 1986’s Aliens, actually surpasses Alien, but Whedon is still partially right. James Cameron’s Aliens portrays hard-won motherhood via an old-fashioned war story, and the combination works remarkably well thanks to the director’s skill for psychological and physical intensity. We’ll see how Scott himself can tackle the Alien legacy soon: He’ll be helming a new installment, Prometheus—sans Sigourney Weaver—expected to be released this summer.

Updated 02/28/2012