The Vault #3- Aliens (1986)

Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Micheal Biehn













I think this film could have gone wrong very easily. I mean, sequels are always a risk anyway, but considering how great Alien was as a film, Aliens could have sucked. But it didn't. At all. I think that Aliens works so well because even though it isn't as much of a horror film as Alien was, it keeps the what made the first film great (for the most part). The beginning of the film shows us Ripley awakening from cryosleep. The moon from the first film now houses as colony of humans. When contact is lost with this colony, Ripley is called in to accompany the marines to investigate. Despite the fact that this film isn't really a horror film, instead focusing more on the action, Aliens works well in building its tension. Considering how formidable the xenomorph was in the first film, we know that multiple xenomorphs are bad news. And even if you haven't seen the first film going in, judging by Ripley's reaction, you know that these things are dangerous. And that's one of the better aspects of this film, it may have more action, but it keeps the tension. It's not as tense as the first film, but it's thrilling nonetheless.

There are so many good things in this movie. For one, the action is quite well done. It's hard to make gratuitous action not feel mindless, but this movie does it. It works because it blends it's fast paced action with it's blood pumping tension. The action scenes are usually preceded by intense buildup, followed by the insane xenomorph blasting. The action sequences work so well because there's buildup, and then payoff. And that's why it doesn't feel mindless. For me, action feels mindless if it comes out of nowhere. If it's just our hero blasting through his enemies who don't put up a fight, that's boring. Aliens lets us know what's at stake.We know if our heroes don't put up a fight, that's it. It builds up to each action scene while progressing the plot and showing us more and more of it's world. And that's hard to do. But I'd be lying if I said it was done perfectly.

See, I do think that the tension here is masterful. And the action is great. But even though we see how much of a threat the aliens are, I feel that after a while, they stop being threatening. Yeah, despite everything I said, which I do stand by, I can't help but feel that the xenomorphs aren't actually that intimidating here. See, in the first film, we fear the alien because we see it in action, and it feels unstoppable. Because it's completely unknown, everything it does is a surprise to both the audience and the characters. Here on the other hand, because people who have seen the first film know how threatening the xenomorphs are, and those who haven't seen the first film have heard how threatening they are, watching them be blown to smithereens by the marines is less satisfying. It's one of the few gripes I have with this movie, and I though I do feel that the writers try their best to work around that by having huge armies of xenomorphs swarm our heroes in compromising situations, I still can't help but think that this undermines the powerful and intimidating creature we saw in the first film. And I think that that comparison is justified because this film is a direct sequel to Alien. Again, the writers do work around this problem, but it's something I just can't help feeling whenever I watch this movie.

But that's just one small flaw in a movie with so many great things. The characters are all memorable and likable, especially Ripley. Sigourney Weaver is just so fantastic as this character. Just like in the first film, her strengths lie in her weaknesses. She gains her courage from being afraid, her power from being vulnerable. And her tenacity in defending Newt is just fantastic. This film succeeds in adding depth and development to an already fantastic character. Just like in the first film, the situation may feel impossible to overcome, but Ripley's sheer willpower and determination really enforce her status as the ultimate everyman hero. Like in the first film, the combination of her fantastic feats and human portrayal makes her feel like the hero we all could be. Like every great sequel, it advances the character's personalities in a way that feels real and satisfying, a natural development. I just love the character of Ellen Ripley, especially in this film.

H.R. Geiger did a fantastic job with the xenomorph in the first film, and his design is retained for the aliens in this film, with the exception of the queen, who looks fantastic. Her design is so complex and intricate, it's just wonderful. She's also just so threatening. She's a stark contrast from most of the aliens in the film, who, as I said, really don't put up much of a fight. The queen feels near invincible, and that's what makes the climax so endlessly thrilling. Just like the first film's climax, it really feels like Ripley is up against impossible odds, so it feels satisfying to watch her overcome them. The climax for me is probably the film's best scene. It's a culmination of everything in this movie, as every good climax should be, and it feels more intimidating than anything seen prior. It's such a fantastic scene.

I think a good sequel should up the ante from the first film, and Aliens does that. The xenomorphs may not feel as intimidating as the first movie, but that's honestly okay. the addition of the queen and swarms of xenomorphs make the stakes feel higher, even if the first film is more tense. The action is spectacular, and the character of Ripley is somehow improved form the first film, if that's even possible. While I personally don't think it's as good as Alien, Aliens does what most sequels don't do: feel necessary. It feels like an extension of the first film, and that's honestly pretty impressive.

My Top 8 Favourite Studio Ghibli Films

Very few studios make animated films quite the way Ghibli do. A combination of fantastic animation, great writing, memorable characters, genuine emotion and top notch soundtracks make Ghibli really stand out, both in the realm of animation and cinema as a whole. And given how much I love these guys, I think it's only right I pay tribute to them. Now, I could review a load of their films individually, but I think it would just be better to list some of my personal favourites. Seriously, these guys are worth it. Before I begin, I picked 8 instead of 10 because, though I have seen enough Ghibli films to make a top 10, I feel that these 8 are my definitive favourites, what I feel to be the creme de la creme of Gilbi. Also, cards on the table, I haven't seen Spirited Away. I know it's the most acclaimed Ghibli film and just absolutely great and everyone loves it, but I haven't seen it yet. When I do though, it'll probably get a post of it's own. Anyway, let's begin!

8. Howl's Moving Castle

I think this film is better than everyone gives it credit for. I mean, of all of Miyazaki's films, he has said that this is his favourite, and I can see why. Based on the novel by Diana Wynne Jones, Howl's Moving Castle follows Sophie, a young woman who becomes an old woman when cursed by a witch. She seeks the wizard Howl, in hopes that he can lift the curse. From there it becomes an epic tale of romance, war and magic. The visuals here are fantastic. There are so many creative ideas and designs here, that it's hard to know where to begin. I love how both the characters and the world looks, especially the castle, which is just so intricate and beautiful. The characters are also very memorable. Sophie is such a strong character, one who never gives up in spite of it all, and as a result becomes a very likable protagonist. Calcifer, the living... fireplace, is a pretty funny and likable character, as is Howl's assistant, Markl. But my personal favourite character is Howl. In many ways he's very cowardly, and arrogant. But it's how he develops, and becomes a better person. His growth is a very strong one, and one of the film's highlights. The relationship between Howl and Sophie really works too. It feels genuine, and you root for throughout the film. The anti-war themes are also quite strong. It's something you find in a lot of Ghibli films, but it works very well here. Overall, Howl's Moving Castle is a fantastic fantasy film, with it's creative ideas, strong characters, and well integrated morals. It's just such a strong film.

7. Pom Poko

And speaking of underappreciated Ghibli, films, Pom Poko. This film is notable for one reason, the ... let's call them... pouches.... the the protagonist's use. Yeah, this movie. It's kind of hard to get around the obvious aspect of the movie, but I definitely think this is one of Ghibli's strongest. Apart from anti-war themes, strong environmental themes are also present in Ghibli films. But they never feel preachy, and Pom Poko uses them well. Basically, a forest is threatened by human development, and a group of shape shifting tanuki band together to prevent it. The visuals are easily this film's strongest aspect. Especially during the Ghost Parade scene, which is one of the most visually stunning things I've seen in animation. It's so creatively weird, that you can't help but love it. The whole film is similarly creative in it's visuals, with some very good action scenes. The whole shape-shifting aspect is spectacularly done, and one of this film's strengths. The whole environmental-humans are terrible-save the forest thing actually isn't obnoxious. It's done fairly well, especially towards the end, where a lot of it actually does hit home. The ending is actually quite poignant. It would have been preachy and cliched if done by a lesser filmmaker, but Isao Takahata is not a lesser filmmaker. Through the fantastic visuals and strong message, Pom Poko is pretty memorable. Add in some genuine charm, and you've got an underappreciated gem on your hands

6. My Neighbour Totoro

You all knew it would be here. Yeah, I'm not about to deny the pure genius of My Neighbour Totoro. This was the film that introduced me to Studio Ghibli, and it's a pretty good gateway to these geniuses. But where do I begin? Everything is just done so well in this movie, that it's hard to know exactly where to start. I guess I'll start with my favourite aspect of the film: the relationship between the sisters. It's so genuine and sweet that it's hard not to love. The story is also quite strong. It seems cliche (family moves to countryside where supernatural shenanigans happen and everyone learns a thing or two about what it means to be a  family along the way), but My Neighbour Totoro does it so well. The movie has a lot of heart, and it shows. It's simple, sentimental, and really beautiful. The emotional aspects of this movie are very well done. The reason the family moves to the countryside is that the mother is recovering from a serious illness, and this really helps the emotional strength of the movie as we see the effect it's having on the family. The fantasy elements are also really well done. They tie the movie together very well. They really compliment the humanity of the characters and the world. Look, this movie is just pure genius. If you haven't checked it out yet, what are you doing here? Just go and watch it. It's seriously worth your time.

5. Laputa: Castle in the Sky

Of course Ghibli's first film has to get on my list. Laputa is like the ultimate adventure film. From the tense and action packed opening, to the heartfelt ending, this movie is fairly well rounded. Laputa follows Sheeta, a girl; with a mysterious amulet, and Pazu, an aviation enthusiast looking to find a floating island. They're pursued by the militarily and a gang of delightful sky pirates. The action and adventure here are really well done. There's never a dull moment in the movie, from fast paced action to interesting lore and some memorable characters, Laputa really has it all. The opening alone is so tense and thrilling, and the film really builds on that. Every moment progresses the plot in some way. By the time the film's over, you really feel like the characters have been on this great journey. The characters themselves are very well done. Sheeta and Pazu are really good characters, but to me, the sky pirate Dola and the evil Colonel Muska are the two strongest members of the cast. Every idea in this movie is so creative, especially the design of Laputa. If you're looking for an adventure film that's always on the move, Laputa might just be for you.

4. Arrietty

Or The Secret World of Arrietty, if you like. Just as Howl's Moving Castle is based on a book, Arrietty is based on The Borrowers. But if you ask me, this adaptation is far superior. The film follows Arrietty, a young borrower who wants to get out there and see the world, despite her parents warnings. She meets Sho, a sickly young boy spending the week with his Aunt. The relationship between the two main characters is fantastic. The two have this real connection, which stays completely platonic, by the way. But if you ask me, the film's strongest aspect is it's main character. Arrietty is such a fantastic and likable character. She's very independent, but still respects the people around her. She's rebellious, but still loves her family and respects their wishes. She never feels like a cliche, which nine times out of ten, is what you'd get with this kind of character. But,as we've seen before, Studio Ghibli don't use cliches. It's stuff like this that cements these guys as some of the most original filmmakers out there. They effortlessly subvert tropes in most of their works, and it's here that I feel that that's at it's strongest. Arrietty is such a fresh, original movie, and I haven't even touched on the visuals. I love the way this film looks. The way that the borrower's world is made up of smaller versions of things found in the human world makes the design so intricate and fascinating. Arrietty is definitely one to check out.

3. Kiki's Delivery Service

 

Here's an interesting little film. I think Studio Ghibli excels at doing simple concepts, and really exploring the themes and ideas in depth. And nowhere is that more apparent than in Kiki's Delivery Service. A film about a witch in training taking a sabbatical... because why not, Kiki's Delivery Service is about so much more than it's premise would suggest. A coming of age story about friendship, insecurity, vulnerability and the transition from childhood to adulthood. None of those themes get in the way of the story by the way. Yeah, if you haven't realized it by now, Ghibli are kind of great. The character of Kiki in particular is one of the film's strongest aspects. You really see her grow and develop, face adversity and change. The film is basically her transition to adulthood, trying to understand herself, and deal with self doubts and her own insecurity. And that's actually really fascinating. The challenges she faces are the challenges we all face at some point or another. Kik's Delivery Service is just wonderful. It's simple, but also complex at the same time. It's thought provoking, challenging and just so pleasant. I highly recommend this one.

2. Grave of the Fireflies

 

I think the less said about this film, the better. Yeah, I have been avoiding spoilers on this list, but anyone who has seen Grave of the Fireflies will know why I'm staying quiet. But I suppose I have to say something. Grave of the Fireflies follows two siblings trekking across Japan during World War 2. That's kind of the plot, but so much of this film comes from the emotion. It's not a very happy movie to say the least. In fact, it's incredibly sad. Just watching their situation get increasingly worse is heartbreaking to watch, especially because there isn't an awful lot that they can do about it. But the film is absolutely beautiful. It's not sadness for the sake of sadness. It's got an incredible anti-war message, which, yes, pops up in a lot of Ghibli films, but is something that this film in particular excels at. It focuses on the effects of war on the average person, and I think that's why it works so well. It's not all sadness though, which ironically makes it even sadder. It creates an accurate portrait of life. It acknowledges the positive aspects of life, the hopeful aspects, the stuff worth living for. It's a portrait of life in unfortunate circumstances, and that's why it hits so hard. Ghibli films know how to hit you right in the feels, but Grave of the Fireflies goes further. You care so much because of how these characters are written. They aren't just likable, anyone can do likable, they're natural. They're real. They're believable. In a word, they're human. And that's why it hits harder. Simply magnificent.

1. Princess Mononoke

 

Yeah, this was a tough one. I mean, with a company like Ghibli, you've got so many good movies. Like seriously, they don't have any bad movies. Kiki's Delivery Service and Grave of the Fireflies were great, but for me, it always comes back to Mononoke. First off, the story. Princess Mononoke follows Ashitaka, a young warrior who is inflicted with a cursed arm after fighting a beast. He sets out on a quest to heal himself, and finds himself in the middle of a conflict between the gods of the forest and the humans who inhabit a nearby village. And here's where the film gets good. See, most films that use the humans are evil-save the forest plot never allow us to sympathize with the humans, but honestly, the village leader Lady Eboshi is no villain. Seriously, her motives are understandable, and everything she does, she does for her villagers, who adore her. But the gods aren't the villains either. After all, they just want to protect their land. There is no villain, because the film doesn't need one. The conflict is between two parties with opposing beliefs, and that's the strength of this film. But, that's not all. Spectacular animation, great worldbuilding, fluent action, and fantastic characters make Mononoke such a wonderful watch. 

Ashitaka is a great hero, because he's neutral. He sees the good aspects and the bad aspects of both parties. But he also knows that neither of them can defeat the other. He understands that he can't pick sides, because the balance needs to be maintained. Eboshi is fantastic. She's a realistic leader, and would be the villain in any other movie. But as I said, she has understandable goals. She just wants the best for her village. And she treats the villagers very well. I'm not too big a fan of San, who to me was always quite whiny and quite frankly, annoying. But this film is just so wonderful. It's the best that Ghibli has ever done in my opinion, and is just one of my favourite animated movies, kind of ever. Seriously, if you haven't seen Princess Mononoke, give it a watch. It's just spectacular.

And that was my Top 8 Favourite Ghibli films. I hope you enjoyed this list, it really wasn't easy to make. With a company like Studio Ghibli, there's just so much good that it's sometimes hard to choose the best, but these are the films I always find myself coming back to time and time again. And seriously, if you haven't seen a Ghibli film, go now and watch as many as you can. Trust me, they're worth it.