thank god for that, I thought Alien 3 was good but that's the kind of guy I am. Has to be bold enough to be different, dark, gritty and unique to have an impression on me. I just get all touchy when someone speaks favourably of Alien 4 (and i thought you were defending it as better than number 3 [it's got a higher rating on IMDB ).

The edit wasn't there, I think I got you now. I was planning on doing an editorial on the frontpage on Alien films after my exams, but it turns out I've vented most of it here. (d'oh)

About lynch being smithee, he didn't request it, his director's cut was the theatrical version, all others he had no say in and disowned after, but he wanted his name in the credits of his version which was the theatrical one He appears in the credits of some tv cuts anyway so it shows how much weight he pulled. There' no pararell with Alien 3 because fincher never got his version, it was a like it or lump it situation, up until this point fincher had nothing in film. Anyways, the sci-fi/hallmark Dune is better, that and children of dune are the best ones out there If you like Herbert's dune go for those ones

I've never seen the Dune Mini-series, It's one of those things I keep meaning to but never get round to seraching for a link.

As I said previously I think you may think alien 3 is better due to the new version, I haven't seen it yet and I'm sure it will change my opinion.

Hehe,you guys are so pasionate about this series
I think I'll quote spud from a couple of weeks ago here.
"You guys are scaring the Straights"

There is none fine in this field in my estimation and to think it was at one point going to be a Corman movie.

interesting...........there's a different cut of the 3rd film! I left the cinema feeling somewhat disappointed when released and never saw it again, methinks now might be a good time to rewatch.

yup, it restores more of what the studio cut out and makes it much more coherrant and I just felt most things about it were improved.

It did turn it around for me so I guess that's a high recommendation.

I'd buy the box set though, it's a bargin for ?49.99. Comes with 9 discs; two cuts of each movie, an extra cd for each movie, and then a special features disc. They are releasing the discs seperately (ie both cuts on one disc) in a couple of months too.

have already started downing it so looking foward 2 a rescreening. but i'm thinking bout buying that set especially as i think i saw it in the sale at woolies for a tenner cheaper than that the other day, will ave 2 check in the morning.
on a side note the experience of seeing the 3rd one put me off and i never saw the 4th film at the cinema - i saw all the 1st 3 at the cinema on release(sorta had 2 sneak into the 1st 1 as was only 13 at the time) - and only saw it about a year ago on tv. don't think you should be so harsh on it tho spud as it wasn't that bad (there are plenty of horror or sci-fi movie series that are just plain dire after the 1st or 2nd movie)
and for my tuppence worth i would classify as all set on a sci-fi stage but primary genre would be:
Alien: horror
Aliens: action
Alien3: horror
Alein Res: action (maybe horror as well but can't really remember as only seen once when totally wasted)

I would like to discourage you from downloading and encourage buying the brilliant box set.
?49.99 at play.com



That's a good thing Seriously though, i personally don't believe fox deserved to make any money on that film, but as always they did.



Yup, apart from I don't think 4 is remotely horror, whereas at least the feel is retained in aliens. I agree about the being set on a sci-fi stage, although the frontpage poll doesn't agree Ah well, can't win em all.

OK, finally watched 3&4 over the weekend.

3 is one hell of alot better than I remember (I assume due to the "special edition" changes), it was coherent and visually impressive film (which I'm positive it wasn't on theatrical release). The atmosphere and setting worked HUGELY in its favour.

4 on the other hand is terrible, the dialogue is risible and the plot is wafer thin (whilst at the same time mistakenly thinking it's being clever). It's not creepy enough for a horror film, nor is there enough action for an action film, there's a substantial amount of gore though, it's like it can't decide what genre to sit in. Some of the visuals are absolutely stunning (the swimming aliens for one) whilst others are either ridiculous (the opening "bug" sequence) or simply don't work / look ridiculous (the Alien Queen and "son"). There was absolutely NO tension built up at any point in the film I couldn't care less if ANYONE including ripley lived or died (actually that's not quite true, the guy who was stolen whilst in cryo sleep and impregnated got a sympath vote).

Watching all of them back to back certainly makes the faults clear, and the pluses evident.



Christ I forgot all about him, yeah he was cool