The Alien writers were contractually given story by credit on Aliens. George Lucas has the same deal for Raiders of the Lost Ark sequels, a story credit whether he does any writing or not.
@robag88 Mythmaker: The Life and Films of George Lucas by John Baxter. For now, look at the imdb page of Philip Kaufman. Indiana Jones movies and video games carry his name although Raiders is the only script he contributed to.
@robag88 I meant to also say Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett imdb pages have their carry-over credits even for a couple of fan films and for games they did not write.
Love this analysis rob very insightful, your right Cameron knew that to try and recreate alien 1979 would have been a mistake and the only successful direct to take the sequel was to take ripley on an emotional journey in which she is strengthened by facing an enemy which she felt almost helpless against in the original. I believe this is why many sub consciously prefer this movie to the original as it gives the audience an uplifting feeling and a sense of justice in relation to Ripley's story.
Interesting and insightful analysis, Rob. I disagree with your assessment of Newt as "helpless", however, as she was skillful enough to not only survive alone but to learn enough about the aliens to know when it was best to hunt for food and look for shelter. The argument could be made that in trusting her fellow humans she was ultimately put at greater risk. I often wonder what would have happened if Newt had survived on that planet until adulthood. Hopefully, she'd be a badass. :)
studio wantting to go back to aliens, which resuted in a movie with an alien with godlike abilities thats able to kill everyone by the end aside fron Ripley , and to most fans became the worst and most infamous in the series.
this is why i hate alien three, Newt was basically the child version of Ripley and in a sense became her daughter at the end as well as bisiop and the other marine ( sorry forgot his name) becoming more of a father figure to newt as in a sense a parnter or friend of Ripley. Alien 3 quikly killed bothof them off due to the stoudio
What a great analysis! I prefer Alien, because of the mystique surrounding the alien, the android, the space jockey, etc. I liked how you took your ideas on Aliens and connected them to the rest of Cameron's filmography. Can't wait to watch your video on The Shining!
Well i think both movies r awesome but i beleive aliens is better IMO an the reason the aliens wernt master or camoflauge in this movie is because there r so many more then jus 1 so ur gonna run into them more often an its not so mysterious because they hav info from the first movie 2 explain alot of stuff an also becuz thr always using the motion tracker so u always now wen the aliens r coming
@nufto I take it you didn't watch the review before writing that comment. Aliens isn't about monsters. It's about Ripley. It's a character piece. And it's not a horror film.
@robag88 that's precisely my point,the movie is badly out of sync with its predecessor making it disappoint,it's also has the look of a cheap movie in comparison for me i never really felt it conveyed the vastness of outer space(always was aware it was in an unused factory)
i don't see it as a character study of ripley but rather a very disappointing movie with a substandard director at the helm.
@nufto But did you watch this video all the way through? It explains how the transition from visually dark works thematically. Ever see Scorsese's The Color of Money? That's another movie that takes a bleak first film and moves its characters through new experiences with a corresponding shift in style. Aliens may be a disappointment for you, but for those not confining their expectations to an effective remake it's a gem. And no, it doesn't look cheap. The sets are just less dirty.
@robag88 i do get your drift,but for me the true star of the show was the alien itself who was sort of cheapened off for a less interesting character,i never really could like camerons movies he always managed to distill the military into his stories and he plagurises from the original here,the countdown to big explosion, the alien stowing away on the ship etc.
giger said it all in one of his interviews saying that cameron destroyed his creation in this movie which is unforgivable.
could you do an analysis of avatar of terminator 2, im sure those movies have some substance, I just really like watching your videos, there very informative and interesting.
Am really enjoying all you reviews :) Just watched the 'Thing', and watched the 'Shining' analysis, both top class!
2 minor points I'd like to make on this one:
1: I always thought that after Hudson loses his nerve through most of the film, his last stand shooting (and swearing) at the Alien horde was a kind of a redemption for him?
2: A reason Ripley knew she could save Newt was that most, if not all the Aliens, were in the main complex, so the hive would be pretty much empty.
That's a really great analysis, Robag88! I also watched your analysis of The Thing, and I'm impressed. Keep up the good work. You provide at lot of food for thought :-)
@J01MrKrinkle Yes, in a sense...the Alien reproductive process is 'rape'. It forcefully enacts a reproductive process against the will of the receiving person. The end result is death of the host / victim of the sexual act when the progeny is born. In this case, ripping through your soft tissues causing you to bleed out or die from shock. Alien is scary because the victims are sexless...anyone can be taken. It is the fear of victimization, regardless of sex (M or F), that makes Alien so scary.
Aliens was a fantastic sequel because it took the concept in a new direction; this is my worry about the new TheThing movie; it looks like it's trying to re-do the exact same concept, presenting nothing new. Hopefully I'm mistaken.
Funny you mention "high caliber acting" @1:40 then cut to Bill Paxton as the annoying Hudson cannot die soon enough for me and almost ruins the whole movie- but whatever.
(And doesn't the colonist that dies at @7:19 bare a resemblance to the actress Veronica Cartwright from Scotts film- or is it just me?)
4:21 is probably my favorite scene of all time. They block the entrances to the room and wait for the aliens to try to break in. The beep sound on their radar gets louder and louder and shows them past the entrance. Then they guy looks up top and you can see the "Oh Shit" look on his face.
Great Video. Lover watching stuff like this especially when it's my favorite movie of all time.
@robag88 Hey Rob love your work as always. One thing you didn't mention was the other minor redemption of Ripley. In the first movie she breaks her promise to her child by telling her she would be home for her birthday. She is obvious very upset by this. Later she promises Newt that she wont leave her behind and gets to redeem herself by going after her after she gets taken by the aliens, she keeps her promise . I thought that was a nice touch in the movie and should be mentioned
Another Vietnam War parallel is the manner in which the aliens would attack--in large numbers. Often during Vietnam, the North Vietnamese/Vietcong would charge at their enemy in the hundreds, just like the creatures in “Aliens.”
I love these analysis vids, keep it up, also as a suggestion for another movie maybe you could try Donnie Darko because even though there is the complex storyline there is also the films messages that focuses on the aspects of religion and a self-understanding. I would like to see what your take on it is.
The basic problem inherent to many of these critiques of Mr. Agar's interpretations is a raw, naked empiricism applied to art. Art is never a purposeless string of empirical content. Rather, like all art, it is the use of empirical content to reveal other more general truths. The connection between that content and those general truths can be called meaning. It is the viewer's challenge to reveal those truths. Only in this way is art meaningful. Film is more than its surface content.
@snakeking992000 if that's the case, then film analysis is pointless as one can freely project any personal preconceptions into the interpretation of the film and come away with their own meaning. no, there is an intent behind any work of art that is waiting to be discovered. it just takes a lot of effort and objectivity. and it's a long process.
@robag88 I always sort of had the impression he was a sort of "gun nut", but that whole stereotype is mostly demonized by left wing bits of the media. Most gun owners are fairly sensible people who value human life greatly and take a lot of care to protect it. Who view human life as absolute mostly and have a very male dominated psyche. But a person can have this and still be intelligent enough to view the bad ideas of facism and such. In fact gun ownership is viewed as libertarian in the USA.
@HolyBigButts "I love how much simple subtext fascinates you." No you don't, there's nothing simple about it. This video is simpler than most of my other film reviews, but it's still more in depth and detailed than most academic film study. What's odd here is that you bothered clicking to watch a "film analysis" of a film you already hate. I'll bet you didn't even watch the video before commenting ... you haven't argued with any of the points made.
@combattaskforce It probably seems blabber to you because of your limited English. In case you don't understand ... Es scheint wahrscheinlich labern Ihnen aufgrund der Ihr begrenzte Englisch. Hinweis, versuchen Sie kommentieren in Englisch.
It is SO refreshing to see individuals such as yourself who take something at 98% of other viewers would just watch and move on, especially in this generation. If I could make a request for "Children of Men", there are SO many cool things that you find every time you watch it, similar to Citizen Kane
Aliens the best sequal ever and possibly the best film of all time. Can't believe they threw it all away with Alien 3. But then maybe it was all the dream Newt asks Ripley she can have on the way home. Would explain why 3&4 make no sense
Aliens ruined what could have been a great series. It completely demolished the mystery of the alien creatures, and the film itself is filled with action movie cliches and corny dialog. For me the film was just laughably bad, especially the space marine characters. They were nearly as bad as the characters in Starship Troopers, another corny sci-fi action flick.
Aliens is a special effects driven movie with no substance.
@HuckMeHard Didn't you notice Starship Troopers was a parody of modern imperialist warfare ideology? It's got bunker busters, Nazi-style uniforms, police state education, Afghanistan type landscapes, a major terror attack on the west, terrorist "bugs" who hide in caves and are smarter than assumed. ST was politically ahead of its time. The "corny sci-fi" are necessary to get funding. Look deeper.
Assuming you're right about Aliens, which you're not, how would you have made the sequel?
Rob, you're basically suggesting that the director or producers of Starship Troopers were privy to some kind of inside information, and made a film about what the near future was going to be like?
If so, that is actually quite interesting considering the Pentagon is in bed with Hollywood. To be honest I haven't watched Starship Troopers since high school, so I may have to watch it again soon to see the parallels to modern day imperialism or the bogus war on terror.
@HuckMeHard No need for privvy info. There was plenty of publicly available evidence for a forthcoming series of imperialist wars at the time Starship Troopers was made (Brzezinski's The Grand Chessboard for example). And if you haven't seen Starship Troopers since highschool why were you so quick to denounce it here? When I saw it in my teens I viewed it the way you do no - commercial fun - but in later viewings it turned out to be much better than I'd given it credit.
@robag88 I haven't seen the film myself, but even on it's release, a few commentators saw Starship as something more than just a flashy Hollywood film, so you are certainly not alone in your thinking. Besides, Verhoven always had a moral voice. Robocop was hugely subversive and strangely accurate in the way it shows how corporations would eventually be 'sponsoring' the law and the law keepers(look at how the Irish Garda have aided Shell in their attempt to lay a pipeline on the Mayo coast)
If a bunch of goofy marine characters hunting down aliens with flame throwers is considered "depth" or "substance", then I seriously must challenge the mental capacity of modern day movie watchers.
The movie itself may be enjoyable from a pure action and special effects vantage point. But there isn't any real message, substance, or depth to the film. None at all.
@HuckMeHard "What depth and substance do you speak of?" ... Watch the video and find out. As the opening captions explain "Please also watch the entire video before commenting."
And feel free to tell us what made the first Alien film so wonderful for you. I wrote a review of Alien years ago, but I'm interested in what you picked up on.
"If a bunch of goofy marine characters hunting down aliens with flame throwers is considered "depth" or "substance", then I seriously must challenge the mental capacity of modern day movie watchers."
It's easy to bend scenes and simplify them into witty words to get your point of view across, but it doesn't provide any real argument. I could do the same for a film like Taxi Driver. "It's just a crazy, mohawked idiot trying to save a hooker by killing a bunch of pimps." And so on.
Very good relevant points I have pondered many of them for sure...as this has been one of my most watched films when I was younger. I like it as much as ALiens 1, but I have not watched either in years. The trigger happy military always just seemed like a true reflection of that army usa mentality that hung in there for the idea exists. I saw the Abyss in the drive in when it came out and was great, but it did seem like much was missing, and you point out it was heavily cut..makes sense now..:D
@silvereagle2061 Holy shit dude. It's a FUCKING "FILM ANALYSIS" video. Can't you read??? I have a 2001 analysis on here btw, made especially for you :)
@silvereagle2061 I agree, movies should simply be shots of explosions and boobs filmed from slightly different angles. I don't want to hear about these fancy "themes," I just want to see Vin Diesel kick a guy in the face and then parachute out of a free falling sports car. That's why Alien: Resurrection was the best movie in the series, cause it has Wynona Rider in it and it has an alien-human hybrid sucked into space through a hull breach the size of a dick hole. Smart people don't get it...
@criggs187 Criggs, that maybe the best shut-the-fuck-up retort I've ever read. "sucked into space through a hull breach the size of a dick hole." I'm crying I'm laughing so hard.
Just like it was mention, can what for the Hellraiser film analysis. I have been waiting patiently ever since you wrote “I hurt, therefore I am” article. :)
You really got me hooked on Barker’s Hellraiser 1986 screenplay.
Have you ever had chance to check out barker's site on his Hellraiser 1section?
Anyway... always enjoy your film analysis and writing articles.
@7kurgand No, haven't checked out that site, but will do. The Hellraiser video on here will only be a short one covering part of the full text. The longer video for it will be on my next DVD set.
James Horners score is laughable at times(Ripley's Rescue) as he rips himself off (once again) and other classical composers. Good action movie all around but its not as deep as Rob looks at it. This is prob the only review i disagree with Rob.
@DMaustrap I really like most of the score, but James Horner was pressurized to produce pretty much the whole score right before the completion deadline, which he wasn't happy about. I haven't seen Them since I was a kid, but have heard it referenced as an influence on Aliens a few times.. Thanks
@robag88 Hi Rob,that doesn't excuse the reuse of most of his themes from way back as "Battle Beyond the Stars","Humanoids of the Deep"(ripping off Goldsmiths Alien),"Wolfen" and the "Khan theme" in ST2 for projects like "Titanic"(listen to the ostinato as the ship leaves moorings) and "Beautiful Mind" and everything else hes done. As a sound track collector I though this guy(and Hans Zimmer) were nice composers until through the years they shown how mediocre they really they are.Just my opinion.
@WJValente I'm split on that. Probably the original as I don't think it was necessary to show the colonists lives. There was more mystery to "the complex" in the original cut.
A beautiful, intelligent and eloquent analysis of one of my favorite films and part of the greatest horror series ever. I've never been able to dismiss these movies as simply sci-fi or action; they're very much gothic horror. I think what makes the Alien saga superior to other films of its kind is that each film had a truly talented filmmaker with a distinct vision (David Fincher, HELLO!!) The atmosphere they created for each installation, the professionalism and care with which they approached
@LordMalice6d9 True. Production was apparently a nightmare & Fincher's disputes with 20th Century Fox are well documented. I attended a Q&A with Fincher at a local university when he was New Orleans filming "Benjamin Button" and he talked about it. His vision was less about Ripley's journey and more about the journey & transformation of the inmates because of Ripley (I'm REALLY paraphrasing here). Despite certain flaws, I still think the film earned a distinct, rightful place in the saga.
@Wotanraven I do have an Alien analysis vid, but the only way you can get hold of that one is on one of my DVD sets. I'm working to a 50/50 ratio of free and DVD only material these days.
Man, I clicked like before watching it, thank you for the analysis. This is one of my favorite sci-fi movies, I watched it a zillion times, I don't know that if you mentioned that in the analysis but this is one of the few movies that the theatrical release is far more better than the director's cut, with more suspense and dynamism. (Another one is definitely Amadeus)
Would you also consider making analyses of Total Recall, Robocop and Terminator 1?
thank you so much for the Aliens analysis! This is one of my favorite movies and you really did it justice. I eagerly await the Hellraiser video as well! Keep up the great work!
I did a college presentation on how the first two films can be viewed as feminist films. There is def a depth to these films alot of people dont understand or dont want to. This has only added to that. Thanks again Rob. Good to see you back with the vids. Looking forward to TIYG
@robag88 "And the oscar for best performance by an actor in a supporting role goes too.... Bill Paxton." This ain't happenin, man! This can't be happenin! GAME OVER, MAN!
One more thing... my favorite moment in 'Aliens' was when the cowardly Lietenant at the moment of death took a very brave action (exploded the grenade) that saved them both from suffering and helped their friends.
What is wrong with being "anti-war"? I don't think James Cameron is "naive" or "liberal" or whatever. He doesn't believe in war like a lot of people and in the movie 'Avatar' the enemy was blatantly the marines would wanted to steal the natives precious land and resources. If war happens then it happens, but preemptive strikes are often rationalized as 'good' intent.
@WJValente I'm anti-war too. And I never said Cameron was "liberal" ... and I only said he was "possibly naive" because some anti-war people are very unrealistic. If you think I lean toward the warmongers then watch my Full Metal Jacket analysis :)
The original 'Aliens" movie (Not the director's cut, which was interesting, but less effective) was one of my all-time favorite movies for it's excellent story, great pacing, suspenseful ending, and the overall 'less is more' approach to the whole thing. James Cameron is awesome and I loved this movie!
@robag88 Wonderful. I'm looking forward Hellraiser! Anyway ... I really love Alien and Aliens, but for different reasons. Alien is a spectacular movie and your analysis got every good point about it. Aliens, on other hand, is a well done action film. It's very different from the first one and, even if it's worth watching, I'm not sure it deserves such an examination.
@kevycanavan TWBB is fairly low on my priorities at the moment as I've got lots of other stuff in development. I think it's that cop out ending that dampens my enthusiasm for the film. Other than that it's fantastic.
@robag88 See I don't really know what you mean by cop out ending. I'm probably not on the same thread as you. Will be looking forward to it if you ever get round to it. Also any others you may do in the mean time. Loved the Hellraiser piece on your site too.
This is a great video but you were wrong about The Abyss. It wasn't a disaster financially, it managed to break even. And the studios never cut the film, it was Cameron who wanted the film to emphasise on the relationship between the twoleads rather than the aliens. Otherwise good video.
@gibbi8 Thanks, just read Cameron's comments on the cutting of The Abyss - I stand corrected. I def think it was an artistic disaster as I prefer the long cut :)
I have to ask, how does one know that a film has a hidden meaning? Or at least one that is worth analyzing?
snipergirl21 4 days ago
@snipergirl21 Check the FAQ on my website for some answers :)
robag88 4 days ago
The Alien writers were contractually given story by credit on Aliens. George Lucas has the same deal for Raiders of the Lost Ark sequels, a story credit whether he does any writing or not.
Jawsphobia 2 weeks ago
@Jawsphobia What's the source for that info?
robag88 4 days ago
@robag88 Mythmaker: The Life and Films of George Lucas by John Baxter. For now, look at the imdb page of Philip Kaufman. Indiana Jones movies and video games carry his name although Raiders is the only script he contributed to.
Jawsphobia 3 days ago
@robag88 I meant to also say Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett imdb pages have their carry-over credits even for a couple of fan films and for games they did not write.
Jawsphobia 3 days ago
Love this analysis rob very insightful, your right Cameron knew that to try and recreate alien 1979 would have been a mistake and the only successful direct to take the sequel was to take ripley on an emotional journey in which she is strengthened by facing an enemy which she felt almost helpless against in the original. I believe this is why many sub consciously prefer this movie to the original as it gives the audience an uplifting feeling and a sense of justice in relation to Ripley's story.
TheNovelty8theory 1 month ago
@TheNovelty8theory Good summation
robag88 4 days ago
How long has Newt survived alone? I think there's a little plot hole here...
Myau76 1 month ago
Watch only Alien and Aliens.
AshtonPhoto 1 month ago
Interesting and insightful analysis, Rob. I disagree with your assessment of Newt as "helpless", however, as she was skillful enough to not only survive alone but to learn enough about the aliens to know when it was best to hunt for food and look for shelter. The argument could be made that in trusting her fellow humans she was ultimately put at greater risk. I often wonder what would have happened if Newt had survived on that planet until adulthood. Hopefully, she'd be a badass. :)
hoojki 1 month ago
studio wantting to go back to aliens, which resuted in a movie with an alien with godlike abilities thats able to kill everyone by the end aside fron Ripley , and to most fans became the worst and most infamous in the series.
MarcusAvon2 1 month ago
this is why i hate alien three, Newt was basically the child version of Ripley and in a sense became her daughter at the end as well as bisiop and the other marine ( sorry forgot his name) becoming more of a father figure to newt as in a sense a parnter or friend of Ripley. Alien 3 quikly killed bothof them off due to the stoudio
MarcusAvon2 1 month ago
@MarcusAvon2 Yes, continuation was lost.
robag88 4 days ago
Very good points,sir!
byLivio 1 month ago
Great film, great analysis. Bought myself the directors cut for Christmas
feyd8194 1 month ago
I liked the abyss
TheLukaraptor 2 months ago
Have you ever seen magnolia?
VeldinJoe 2 months ago
@VeldinJoe I started watching it once, but wasn't really in the mood. I like Punch Drunk Love though.
robag88 4 days ago
Great analysis Rob, as always... But that elevator thing still bothers me : the Alien Queen knowing how to use an elevator? Honestly, no.
Still, a great movie!
Kasti77 2 months ago
@Kasti77 I think is simple to suppose that in emercency state the elevator goes automaticly on top level if no button is pressed.
Myau76 1 month ago
@Myau76
I could go for that.
Kasti77 1 month ago
@Myau76 Lol that's fair comment, but how many creatures would know to get in?
robag88 4 days ago
What a great analysis! I prefer Alien, because of the mystique surrounding the alien, the android, the space jockey, etc. I liked how you took your ideas on Aliens and connected them to the rest of Cameron's filmography. Can't wait to watch your video on The Shining!
the1984olympics 2 months ago
Well i think both movies r awesome but i beleive aliens is better IMO an the reason the aliens wernt master or camoflauge in this movie is because there r so many more then jus 1 so ur gonna run into them more often an its not so mysterious because they hav info from the first movie 2 explain alot of stuff an also becuz thr always using the motion tracker so u always now wen the aliens r coming
DWLGNiRvana 3 months ago
for me 'aliens' was awful compared to the original,the original alien was an interstellar bogeyman who was a master of camouflage and was rarely seen
a subtle killer. the aliens in camerons movie lost all that wonderful mystique and threat serving themselves up as fish in a barrel to be killed.
comparing the two movies is like comparing laurel and hardy to chaplin.
laurel and hardy made my sides hurt laughing but chaplin rarely made me smile yet one is as popular as the other
nufto 3 months ago
@nufto I take it you didn't watch the review before writing that comment. Aliens isn't about monsters. It's about Ripley. It's a character piece. And it's not a horror film.
robag88 4 days ago
@robag88 that's precisely my point,the movie is badly out of sync with its predecessor making it disappoint,it's also has the look of a cheap movie in comparison for me i never really felt it conveyed the vastness of outer space(always was aware it was in an unused factory)
i don't see it as a character study of ripley but rather a very disappointing movie with a substandard director at the helm.
nufto 4 days ago
@nufto But did you watch this video all the way through? It explains how the transition from visually dark works thematically. Ever see Scorsese's The Color of Money? That's another movie that takes a bleak first film and moves its characters through new experiences with a corresponding shift in style. Aliens may be a disappointment for you, but for those not confining their expectations to an effective remake it's a gem. And no, it doesn't look cheap. The sets are just less dirty.
robag88 3 days ago
@robag88 i do get your drift,but for me the true star of the show was the alien itself who was sort of cheapened off for a less interesting character,i never really could like camerons movies he always managed to distill the military into his stories and he plagurises from the original here,the countdown to big explosion, the alien stowing away on the ship etc.
giger said it all in one of his interviews saying that cameron destroyed his creation in this movie which is unforgivable.
nufto 3 days ago
Great insights. I enjoyed the film and didn't take to heart the more complex underlying details. Thanks again Rob.
wthomps323 3 months ago in playlist More videos from robag88
you should do an analysis on t2, would love to hear your thoughts on cameron's use of the t-800 as a biker and the t-1000 as a police officer
evc1689 3 months ago 5
@evc1689 I still love T2. Awesome entertainment value. A little preachy in places but great.
robag88 3 months ago
i broke down lauhing when you said ".....maybe......."
TheyAreHere2 4 months ago
@TheyAreHere2 Maybe you did :)
robag88 4 months ago
could you do an analysis of avatar of terminator 2, im sure those movies have some substance, I just really like watching your videos, there very informative and interesting.
VeldinJoe 4 months ago
@VeldinJoe or terminator 2, sorry
VeldinJoe 4 months ago
Am really enjoying all you reviews :) Just watched the 'Thing', and watched the 'Shining' analysis, both top class!
2 minor points I'd like to make on this one:
1: I always thought that after Hudson loses his nerve through most of the film, his last stand shooting (and swearing) at the Alien horde was a kind of a redemption for him?
2: A reason Ripley knew she could save Newt was that most, if not all the Aliens, were in the main complex, so the hive would be pretty much empty.
RGM1393 4 months ago
@RGM1393
Hudson was just out of his depth..It was the lieutenant who redeemed himself!
chereadnine 4 months ago
Well done, thanks.
ivanover 4 months ago
That's a really great analysis, Robag88! I also watched your analysis of The Thing, and I'm impressed. Keep up the good work. You provide at lot of food for thought :-)
MINEISALWAYSBIGGER 4 months ago
there was rape in Alien?
J01MrKrinkle 4 months ago in playlist More videos from robag88
@J01MrKrinkle Facehugger. 'Nuff said.
swjkie100 4 months ago
@J01MrKrinkle Yes, in a sense...the Alien reproductive process is 'rape'. It forcefully enacts a reproductive process against the will of the receiving person. The end result is death of the host / victim of the sexual act when the progeny is born. In this case, ripping through your soft tissues causing you to bleed out or die from shock. Alien is scary because the victims are sexless...anyone can be taken. It is the fear of victimization, regardless of sex (M or F), that makes Alien so scary.
KC1976fromDetroit 4 months ago in playlist More videos from robag88
Aliens was a fantastic sequel because it took the concept in a new direction; this is my worry about the new TheThing movie; it looks like it's trying to re-do the exact same concept, presenting nothing new. Hopefully I'm mistaken.
hafabee 4 months ago
it's a damned shame the 3rd film acted in disruption to the previous 2 rather than in continuity to them.
angrydead 5 months ago
but... I don't wanna watch the entire video before posting comments!!! I wanna say something droll and belligerent NOW!
qaawale 5 months ago
@qaawale Well you succeeded :)
robag88 4 months ago
Avatar sucks
hellsgothic 5 months ago
In summer 2009 I watched this movie every single day.
IrishGodThe4th 5 months ago
Funny you mention "high caliber acting" @1:40 then cut to Bill Paxton as the annoying Hudson cannot die soon enough for me and almost ruins the whole movie- but whatever.
(And doesn't the colonist that dies at @7:19 bare a resemblance to the actress Veronica Cartwright from Scotts film- or is it just me?)
PunchiesManifesto 6 months ago
4:21 is probably my favorite scene of all time. They block the entrances to the room and wait for the aliens to try to break in. The beep sound on their radar gets louder and louder and shows them past the entrance. Then they guy looks up top and you can see the "Oh Shit" look on his face.
Great Video. Lover watching stuff like this especially when it's my favorite movie of all time.
bob101910 7 months ago
I liked this analysis but this seemed very bias, you speak of Alien in such regard then just downplay Aliens, just an observation though.
sobersgarfield74 8 months ago
@sobersgarfield74 How did I downplay it? The review praises the film on lots of levels.
robag88 8 months ago 12
@robag88 Hey Rob love your work as always. One thing you didn't mention was the other minor redemption of Ripley. In the first movie she breaks her promise to her child by telling her she would be home for her birthday. She is obvious very upset by this. Later she promises Newt that she wont leave her behind and gets to redeem herself by going after her after she gets taken by the aliens, she keeps her promise . I thought that was a nice touch in the movie and should be mentioned
angryjohnny69 6 months ago
@sobersgarfield74 The guy literally praises the shit out of the film, watch more than the first 30 seconds.
IrishGodThe4th 5 months ago
Another Vietnam War parallel is the manner in which the aliens would attack--in large numbers. Often during Vietnam, the North Vietnamese/Vietcong would charge at their enemy in the hundreds, just like the creatures in “Aliens.”
Beale64 8 months ago
I love these analysis vids, keep it up, also as a suggestion for another movie maybe you could try Donnie Darko because even though there is the complex storyline there is also the films messages that focuses on the aspects of religion and a self-understanding. I would like to see what your take on it is.
greekhottie8080 8 months ago
Boring!
drmoroe30 9 months ago
I love all of you stuff. I would love to see you tackle Brazil and Barton Fink.
Icm14 9 months ago
@HolyBigButts I like that one, very original lol
robag88 9 months ago
@HolyBigButts You started out well there then regressed into "a pricky kid with his head up his ass".
robag88 9 months ago
Another work of creative genius from Rob Ager. Yeoman's work, Rob. And I look forward to more.
gryphon202 9 months ago
The basic problem inherent to many of these critiques of Mr. Agar's interpretations is a raw, naked empiricism applied to art. Art is never a purposeless string of empirical content. Rather, like all art, it is the use of empirical content to reveal other more general truths. The connection between that content and those general truths can be called meaning. It is the viewer's challenge to reveal those truths. Only in this way is art meaningful. Film is more than its surface content.
snakeking992000 9 months ago 3
@snakeking992000 if that's the case, then film analysis is pointless as one can freely project any personal preconceptions into the interpretation of the film and come away with their own meaning. no, there is an intent behind any work of art that is waiting to be discovered. it just takes a lot of effort and objectivity. and it's a long process.
zackhanscom 9 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Making Terminator + Aliens = Facist gun nut?
And it had to have Abyss and Avatar to dismiss these notions?
What a load of shit.
Voitan 9 months ago
@Voitan That's not me who called him a "gun nut". That snapshot was from Empire magazine. I didn't like Avatar personally.
robag88 9 months ago 19
@robag88 I always sort of had the impression he was a sort of "gun nut", but that whole stereotype is mostly demonized by left wing bits of the media. Most gun owners are fairly sensible people who value human life greatly and take a lot of care to protect it. Who view human life as absolute mostly and have a very male dominated psyche. But a person can have this and still be intelligent enough to view the bad ideas of facism and such. In fact gun ownership is viewed as libertarian in the USA.
free2game 5 months ago
@Voitan
Calm down there professor.
Checker222 9 months ago
@HolyBigButts "I love how much simple subtext fascinates you." No you don't, there's nothing simple about it. This video is simpler than most of my other film reviews, but it's still more in depth and detailed than most academic film study. What's odd here is that you bothered clicking to watch a "film analysis" of a film you already hate. I'll bet you didn't even watch the video before commenting ... you haven't argued with any of the points made.
robag88 9 months ago
I wish the volume was higher on these.
StarFoxEternity 9 months ago
was fuer ein gequatsche. kriegst du geld dafuer herr social wissenschaftler?
combattaskforce 9 months ago
@combattaskforce It probably seems blabber to you because of your limited English. In case you don't understand ... Es scheint wahrscheinlich labern Ihnen aufgrund der Ihr begrenzte Englisch. Hinweis, versuchen Sie kommentieren in Englisch.
robag88 9 months ago
"...They mostly come at night..."
TRKizm 9 months ago
It is SO refreshing to see individuals such as yourself who take something at 98% of other viewers would just watch and move on, especially in this generation. If I could make a request for "Children of Men", there are SO many cool things that you find every time you watch it, similar to Citizen Kane
TheDudeAbides281 9 months ago
Aliens the best sequal ever and possibly the best film of all time. Can't believe they threw it all away with Alien 3. But then maybe it was all the dream Newt asks Ripley she can have on the way home. Would explain why 3&4 make no sense
MrLorenzovanmatterho 9 months ago
@MrLorenzovanmatterho Funny you mention that 3 & 4 were dreams, I've always thought that too, just nightmares Ripley has on the way back to Earth.
AHollowVoiceSaysFool 4 months ago
I totally disagree.
Aliens ruined what could have been a great series. It completely demolished the mystery of the alien creatures, and the film itself is filled with action movie cliches and corny dialog. For me the film was just laughably bad, especially the space marine characters. They were nearly as bad as the characters in Starship Troopers, another corny sci-fi action flick.
Aliens is a special effects driven movie with no substance.
HuckMeHard 9 months ago
@HuckMeHard Didn't you notice Starship Troopers was a parody of modern imperialist warfare ideology? It's got bunker busters, Nazi-style uniforms, police state education, Afghanistan type landscapes, a major terror attack on the west, terrorist "bugs" who hide in caves and are smarter than assumed. ST was politically ahead of its time. The "corny sci-fi" are necessary to get funding. Look deeper.
Assuming you're right about Aliens, which you're not, how would you have made the sequel?
robag88 9 months ago 2
@robag88
Rob, you're basically suggesting that the director or producers of Starship Troopers were privy to some kind of inside information, and made a film about what the near future was going to be like?
If so, that is actually quite interesting considering the Pentagon is in bed with Hollywood. To be honest I haven't watched Starship Troopers since high school, so I may have to watch it again soon to see the parallels to modern day imperialism or the bogus war on terror.
HuckMeHard 9 months ago
@HuckMeHard No need for privvy info. There was plenty of publicly available evidence for a forthcoming series of imperialist wars at the time Starship Troopers was made (Brzezinski's The Grand Chessboard for example). And if you haven't seen Starship Troopers since highschool why were you so quick to denounce it here? When I saw it in my teens I viewed it the way you do no - commercial fun - but in later viewings it turned out to be much better than I'd given it credit.
robag88 9 months ago
@robag88 I don't see anything in his post that denounces "Starship Troopers". I'm pretty sure he was agreeing with you here.
VitalemRecords 9 months ago
@VitalemRecords WOOPS - I just read it - I stand corrected....
VitalemRecords 9 months ago
@robag88 I haven't seen the film myself, but even on it's release, a few commentators saw Starship as something more than just a flashy Hollywood film, so you are certainly not alone in your thinking. Besides, Verhoven always had a moral voice. Robocop was hugely subversive and strangely accurate in the way it shows how corporations would eventually be 'sponsoring' the law and the law keepers(look at how the Irish Garda have aided Shell in their attempt to lay a pipeline on the Mayo coast)
BlowDeBloodyDoorsOff 9 months ago
@HuckMeHard "Aliens" certainly has more depth and substance than a corny sci-fi flick.
jimbobeire 9 months ago
@jimbobeire
What depth and substance do you speak of?
If a bunch of goofy marine characters hunting down aliens with flame throwers is considered "depth" or "substance", then I seriously must challenge the mental capacity of modern day movie watchers.
The movie itself may be enjoyable from a pure action and special effects vantage point. But there isn't any real message, substance, or depth to the film. None at all.
HuckMeHard 9 months ago
@HuckMeHard "What depth and substance do you speak of?" ... Watch the video and find out. As the opening captions explain "Please also watch the entire video before commenting."
And feel free to tell us what made the first Alien film so wonderful for you. I wrote a review of Alien years ago, but I'm interested in what you picked up on.
robag88 9 months ago
@HuckMeHard
"If a bunch of goofy marine characters hunting down aliens with flame throwers is considered "depth" or "substance", then I seriously must challenge the mental capacity of modern day movie watchers."
It's easy to bend scenes and simplify them into witty words to get your point of view across, but it doesn't provide any real argument. I could do the same for a film like Taxi Driver. "It's just a crazy, mohawked idiot trying to save a hooker by killing a bunch of pimps." And so on.
TrevorKingKwong 9 months ago
The official name of the creatures is "xenomorphs".
LittleSn00py 9 months ago
Very good relevant points I have pondered many of them for sure...as this has been one of my most watched films when I was younger. I like it as much as ALiens 1, but I have not watched either in years. The trigger happy military always just seemed like a true reflection of that army usa mentality that hung in there for the idea exists. I saw the Abyss in the drive in when it came out and was great, but it did seem like much was missing, and you point out it was heavily cut..makes sense now..:D
oatstao 9 months ago
If you wrote a book about this, I would buy it. Just a suggestion.
Psypomp 9 months ago
Brilliant, love your analysis of one of my faves!
Nragemachine 9 months ago
awesome. I like your analysis of awesome movies. upload more often! cheers :)
TheEL337dude 9 months ago
@TheEL337dude Just uploaded a new one for Hellraiser today as well :)
robag88 9 months ago
Absolutely fantastic man!
alexanderjurjens 9 months ago
you know you should do a film comparison between avatar and Pocahontas
HomeDistiller 9 months ago
Cameron's avatar was shite the rest was great buy why do i want to watch Pocahontas in cgi 3d?
HomeDistiller 9 months ago
WHOOOO NEW ROB AGER!! AND WHAT A FILM CHOICE!!!!! TIME TO WATCH...
jakamo 9 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Holy shit dude. Its a FUCKING MOVIE. Good thing you don't do an analysis of "2001 A Space Odyssey" I'd hang myself before it ends for Christ sakes.
silvereagle2061 9 months ago
@silvereagle2061
Well, robag88 DID an analysis of 2001....
NKA23 9 months ago
@silvereagle2061 Holy shit dude. It's a FUCKING "FILM ANALYSIS" video. Can't you read??? I have a 2001 analysis on here btw, made especially for you :)
robag88 9 months ago 47
@robag88 Good answer Rob.
LightsCameraAaron 9 months ago
@silvereagle2061 You are a moron. Go watch Transformers.
savoirjoker 9 months ago
@silvereagle2061 He did you idiot.
WJValente 9 months ago
@silvereagle2061 You're the definitive example of why I hate talking to people as inept as you.
Will be watching this tonight or tomorrow, rob. Looking forward to it.
9ner 9 months ago
@silvereagle2061 You, sir, are a total idiot.
LiveFastDiarrhea 9 months ago
Great observation with the very similar hypersleep-shot!
LiveFastDiarrhea 9 months ago
@silvereagle2061 I agree, movies should simply be shots of explosions and boobs filmed from slightly different angles. I don't want to hear about these fancy "themes," I just want to see Vin Diesel kick a guy in the face and then parachute out of a free falling sports car. That's why Alien: Resurrection was the best movie in the series, cause it has Wynona Rider in it and it has an alien-human hybrid sucked into space through a hull breach the size of a dick hole. Smart people don't get it...
criggs187 9 months ago
@criggs187 Criggs, that maybe the best shut-the-fuck-up retort I've ever read. "sucked into space through a hull breach the size of a dick hole." I'm crying I'm laughing so hard.
AHollowVoiceSaysFool 4 months ago
@AHollowVoiceSaysFool Thanks! I'm glad somebody read it.
criggs187 4 months ago
How much Carl Jung have you read, Rob?
riethc 9 months ago
@riethc Various bits and pieces over the years.
robag88 9 months ago
@robag88 The character descriptions you make seem like Jungian archetypes. Hollywood directors use them a lot.
riethc 9 months ago
Just like it was mention, can what for the Hellraiser film analysis. I have been waiting patiently ever since you wrote “I hurt, therefore I am” article. :)
You really got me hooked on Barker’s Hellraiser 1986 screenplay.
Have you ever had chance to check out barker's site on his Hellraiser 1section?
Anyway... always enjoy your film analysis and writing articles.
7kurgand 9 months ago
@7kurgand No, haven't checked out that site, but will do. The Hellraiser video on here will only be a short one covering part of the full text. The longer video for it will be on my next DVD set.
robag88 9 months ago
THEM!(1954)(little girl, dolls head, marines,underground labyrinth) + Japanese Anime Facelift designs = Aliens.
James Horners score is laughable at times(Ripley's Rescue) as he rips himself off (once again) and other classical composers. Good action movie all around but its not as deep as Rob looks at it. This is prob the only review i disagree with Rob.
Excellent Review as always.
DMaustrap 9 months ago
@DMaustrap I really like most of the score, but James Horner was pressurized to produce pretty much the whole score right before the completion deadline, which he wasn't happy about. I haven't seen Them since I was a kid, but have heard it referenced as an influence on Aliens a few times.. Thanks
robag88 9 months ago
@robag88 Hi Rob,that doesn't excuse the reuse of most of his themes from way back as "Battle Beyond the Stars","Humanoids of the Deep"(ripping off Goldsmiths Alien),"Wolfen" and the "Khan theme" in ST2 for projects like "Titanic"(listen to the ostinato as the ship leaves moorings) and "Beautiful Mind" and everything else hes done. As a sound track collector I though this guy(and Hans Zimmer) were nice composers until through the years they shown how mediocre they really they are.Just my opinion.
DMaustrap 9 months ago
Thaaaanks a loooot!!!! Your videos and Salman Khan's are the youtube videos are enjoy the most!!!
jazerazo 9 months ago
Which version of 'Aliens' did you like better? The original or the directors cut and why?
WJValente 9 months ago
@WJValente I'm split on that. Probably the original as I don't think it was necessary to show the colonists lives. There was more mystery to "the complex" in the original cut.
robag88 9 months ago
@robag88 Yes, I concur.
WJValente 9 months ago
Today is Lance Henriksen's Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nitrorev386 9 months ago
(cont'd) the work and, finally, the most terrifying monster ever seen on film created a series that stays with me to this day.
Well, time to watch part 2. Thanks Rob!
giuseppi77 9 months ago
A beautiful, intelligent and eloquent analysis of one of my favorite films and part of the greatest horror series ever. I've never been able to dismiss these movies as simply sci-fi or action; they're very much gothic horror. I think what makes the Alien saga superior to other films of its kind is that each film had a truly talented filmmaker with a distinct vision (David Fincher, HELLO!!) The atmosphere they created for each installation, the professionalism and care with which they approached
giuseppi77 9 months ago
@giuseppi77 Interestingly enough, lots of people hate Alien 3 and David Fincher likes to think that Alien 3 had never existed.
LordMalice6d9 9 months ago
@LordMalice6d9 True. Production was apparently a nightmare & Fincher's disputes with 20th Century Fox are well documented. I attended a Q&A with Fincher at a local university when he was New Orleans filming "Benjamin Button" and he talked about it. His vision was less about Ripley's journey and more about the journey & transformation of the inmates because of Ripley (I'm REALLY paraphrasing here). Despite certain flaws, I still think the film earned a distinct, rightful place in the saga.
giuseppi77 9 months ago
THANK YOU ! I love your film analysis', was hoping for an Aliens one. (I would have prefered an Alien analysis, but I forgive you anyway ;) )
Wotanraven 9 months ago
@Wotanraven I do have an Alien analysis vid, but the only way you can get hold of that one is on one of my DVD sets. I'm working to a 50/50 ratio of free and DVD only material these days.
robag88 9 months ago
Man how do you figure all this shit out? haha
StyrbjornStarke 9 months ago
Man, I clicked like before watching it, thank you for the analysis. This is one of my favorite sci-fi movies, I watched it a zillion times, I don't know that if you mentioned that in the analysis but this is one of the few movies that the theatrical release is far more better than the director's cut, with more suspense and dynamism. (Another one is definitely Amadeus)
Would you also consider making analyses of Total Recall, Robocop and Terminator 1?
seckin12 9 months ago
@seckin12 Oh yes I intend to review all three of those fabulous sci-fi classic.
robag88 9 months ago
thank you so much for the Aliens analysis! This is one of my favorite movies and you really did it justice. I eagerly await the Hellraiser video as well! Keep up the great work!
crankinup120 9 months ago
I did a college presentation on how the first two films can be viewed as feminist films. There is def a depth to these films alot of people dont understand or dont want to. This has only added to that. Thanks again Rob. Good to see you back with the vids. Looking forward to TIYG
vAmpyr616 9 months ago
its good to see another one of your reviews!
em23 9 months ago
Can't wait for the video of E.T. I think E.T. is one of your best analyses.
jumpoutatree 9 months ago 2
@jumpoutatree Funnily, hardly anyone mentions the ET analysis. I'll def be making a vid for it, but not sure when.
robag88 9 months ago 2
@robag88 I 2nd that, I want to see it
ichater 9 months ago
interesting analysis as always.
biosnark 9 months ago
I love these videos so much. I did notice however that just when the "high caliber acting" is mentioned, Bill Paxton is on screen. Just saying..
Fistwagon 9 months ago
@Fistwagon Lol. Paxton rules, but not in an academy award nominee kind of way.
robag88 9 months ago
@robag88 "And the oscar for best performance by an actor in a supporting role goes too.... Bill Paxton." This ain't happenin, man! This can't be happenin! GAME OVER, MAN!
Fistwagon 9 months ago
@Fistwagon Yeah Bishop should go. Good idea!
robag88 9 months ago
@robag88 Near Dark anyone?
BeatenAndTortured 9 months ago
And this is exactly why I sub to you. Fantastic critique, I'm off to watch the other part then I'll comment...
lampyman101 9 months ago
One more thing... my favorite moment in 'Aliens' was when the cowardly Lietenant at the moment of death took a very brave action (exploded the grenade) that saved them both from suffering and helped their friends.
WJValente 9 months ago
What is wrong with being "anti-war"? I don't think James Cameron is "naive" or "liberal" or whatever. He doesn't believe in war like a lot of people and in the movie 'Avatar' the enemy was blatantly the marines would wanted to steal the natives precious land and resources. If war happens then it happens, but preemptive strikes are often rationalized as 'good' intent.
WJValente 9 months ago
@WJValente I'm anti-war too. And I never said Cameron was "liberal" ... and I only said he was "possibly naive" because some anti-war people are very unrealistic. If you think I lean toward the warmongers then watch my Full Metal Jacket analysis :)
robag88 9 months ago 5
The original 'Aliens" movie (Not the director's cut, which was interesting, but less effective) was one of my all-time favorite movies for it's excellent story, great pacing, suspenseful ending, and the overall 'less is more' approach to the whole thing. James Cameron is awesome and I loved this movie!
WJValente 9 months ago
Thanks! I have been waiting for this!
WJValente 9 months ago
Can U do one 4 Alien 3?
AMOVIEGUY14 9 months ago
Aliens is cinema at it's best, thank you, there never be another movie like this people just don't have the imagination for it.
oasisnl 9 months ago
Thank You!
chochmah 9 months ago
Thank you, thank you, thank you for finally doing another video analysis! I've been waiting so long for this. Keep them coming!
dkuyk91 9 months ago 22
@dkuyk91 You're welcome. Next wait is very short. I'll have a short video about Hellraiser up by next week :)
robag88 9 months ago 9
@robag88 YES!!! Great can't wait!!
Have you ever seen Dark City? There are some interesting NWO, human evolution messages there,,
AngriestAmerican 9 months ago
@robag88 Wonderful. I'm looking forward Hellraiser! Anyway ... I really love Alien and Aliens, but for different reasons. Alien is a spectacular movie and your analysis got every good point about it. Aliens, on other hand, is a well done action film. It's very different from the first one and, even if it's worth watching, I'm not sure it deserves such an examination.
KuroJoestar 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@robag88 Some great news! Thanks!
traveler1938 9 months ago
Great work as usual Rob. How's there will be blood coming along!?
kevycanavan 9 months ago
@kevycanavan collativelearning(.com)
Poleschs 9 months ago
@kevycanavan TWBB is fairly low on my priorities at the moment as I've got lots of other stuff in development. I think it's that cop out ending that dampens my enthusiasm for the film. Other than that it's fantastic.
robag88 9 months ago
@robag88 See I don't really know what you mean by cop out ending. I'm probably not on the same thread as you. Will be looking forward to it if you ever get round to it. Also any others you may do in the mean time. Loved the Hellraiser piece on your site too.
kevycanavan 9 months ago
@kevycanavan Yeah I have it the other way around about No Country For Old Men. Lots of people hate the ending, but I really liked it.
robag88 9 months ago
@robag88 So did I
kevycanavan 9 months ago
This is a great video but you were wrong about The Abyss. It wasn't a disaster financially, it managed to break even. And the studios never cut the film, it was Cameron who wanted the film to emphasise on the relationship between the twoleads rather than the aliens. Otherwise good video.
gibbi8 9 months ago
@gibbi8 Thanks, just read Cameron's comments on the cutting of The Abyss - I stand corrected. I def think it was an artistic disaster as I prefer the long cut :)
robag88 9 months ago
Sorry, but this is one of your weaker analyses. Especially the end...
But keep it up!
KripkeSaul 9 months ago
@KripkeSaul Aliens is more straight commercial entertainment than most films I review, but it's so well done I still consider it worth reviewing.
robag88 9 months ago 4