[Darren LD1984]

I think the documentary about the making of Alien 3 is better than the film itself.

That original teaser trailer promised so much.

http://youtu.be/Bk_x9W1xKng

[tonyandrewgiles]

@darren - I'm watching that now and the original story with the monks is superb, they used a lot of the elements but this version IMO would have been better than the released version.

[Darren LD1984]

@tony I never understood why they didn't follow the plot of the Dark Horse comic book. The whole story of Earth being over-run because of a cult that worships the alien was amazing.

[tonyandrewgiles]

@darren - did that have a title? I'd be interested in tracking that down

[Darren LD1984]

Aliens Omnibus Volume 1 has the first three series, although the pages aren't standard size. Also, because of Alien 3, they changed the names of Hicks & Newt for any post 1992 reprints.

It's well worth tracking down some early prints on ebay. They're really cheap. You'd nearly get them for the price of the trade paperback and the artwork is incredible

[tonyandrewgiles]

@darren - thanks hoss, tracking as we speak.

[Hatter313]

So I've been thinking about this since i saw this thread start yesterday... an i just can't make a decision. it literally depends on the moment you ask me to choose, and i could be in a completely different mood a moment later. both are 100% A+ films that i love, but i don't know which i prefer. the horror guy in me (the loudest up there by far) say's Alien all the way, but the part of me that is still 11 shouts it down pretty well sometimes....i have almost the exact same problem with T1 and T2. T1 is one of the most relentless and perfect sci fi thrillers ever made, possibly second only to blade runner in sci fi perfection, but T2....man i can't even describe what that movie does for me on an emotional nostalgia level.

oh hell...looks like I've got a cameron/scott marathon coming up after Halloween is over.

[tonyandrewgiles]

@hatter - I'm totally with you, it's pretty much why I asked the question.

As a kid it was Aliens 100% but as I got older Alien took over. It was the same thing with Star Wars, Jedi as a kid and Empire as an adult.

They are both fantastic & I'm with you on the Terminator flicks.

[freshoj]

yup, as folks are alluding to, the meta question is: 'do you prefer movies like Alien or movies like Aliens?'

they are so different. to me, Alien is impeccable - almost perfect. Aliens is a LOT of fun, but is hardly flawless.

now, don't get me started on Star Wars - where A New Hope is a glorious, beautiful 70's sci fi adventure - leaving just some things (thankfully) unexplained (just like Alien). A New Hope's only flaw? Luke's whining.

Everything after A New Hope was fun, but should have gotten every continuity director involved fired.

[soundtracks of fear]

Soundtrack or movie?
Alien although I'm a big fan of Resurrection and Promethus, parts of 3
Hard to compare the first two very different!

[deafmetal]

If we are going soundtrack, it's still Goldsmith's Alien score for me. Cold and beautiful at the same time.

[Purplemule74]

Charles Dutton's character Dillon is the linchpin to Aliens 3. It is too bad that despite his efforts the film couldn't be saved from the poor script decisions.

I remember sitting in the theater and being impressed by the camera work they utilized to try and simulate the perspective of an alien as it skittered around and upside down. Although that isn't anything special now, back in 1992 it seemed an innovative choice.

[DISCOSUCKS...]

My score rating (based purely on their stand-alone music value):

ALIEN

ALIEN₃

ALIENS / PROMETHEUS

RESURRECTION

Goldenthal's monumental score is a science fiction masterpiece - and another add to the ever-growing wax Grail list!!

[tonyandrewgiles]

@disco ^^^ Agreed.

Would love an A3 vinyl release.

[deafmetal]

[quote=35277]
Would love an A3 vinyl release.
[/quote]

I would also like to see this.

Also, I love Ripley's Theme from Alien Resurrection. Hauntingly beautiful:

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_o0nAr ... B&index=14[/video]

[tonyandrewgiles]

@deaf - Totally agree, I've gone through all the movies since starting this thread and it's annoying that only 2 out of 4 are available.

Maybe someone could look at doing some kind of Alien set, its all one company (Fox) so who knows.

[tonyandrewgiles]

@darren - This book is awesome, plowing through it now

[horseloverphat]

Alien for the 'pure sci-fi'...which is a rarity these days and of course the superior soundtrack.

I like Aliens for the popcorn action and amusing cheesy dialogue...but it is not much more than just gung-ho marines in space. That said it is still a very watchable film and has some of the most quotable dialogue going!

Alien 3 underrated and destroyed by the studios, Fincher got badly burnt there.