Alien or Aliens ? -- which was the best ?

[megoat]

The first Alien film can't be beat for feel and atmosphere. It's spooky without much actually happening at times. It's tough as a filmmaker to create this sort of tension. First film all the way.....

On a toy related note, I actually had the Kenner Alien given to me for Christmas back in '79 or so. What a frightful toy!

[Bo8a_Fett]

Alien definately, the film was just such a visual treat...Scott certainly drew on his set designer background for the movie. The sets looked functional and the alien itself has never been bettered than in that first movie. The fact that it showed a "man in rubber suit" monster could be believable and filmed on a level of maturity opened the door for films such as "Predator" and its ilk.
"Aliens" was a great film but detracted from the utter ferocity and devestation that 1 alien could bring about....for this reason I actually prefer "Alien 3" to Aliens.

[The Bat]

The 1st Alien: more of a classic SiFi-Horror Movie.

2nd:SiFi Hardcore Action & War Movie(My Favorite Characters...Hicks & Ripley).

[Airdave817]

I'll second that Alien was more of a horror sci-fi movie. I love the suspense. You just gotta love how "original", "fresh" it seems. At least it does to me...

Aliens is more of an action movie. I watch it just for Hudson (Bill Paxton). "We're gonna die, man! We're all gonna die, man!" Somebody slap that marine!! And Vasquez. Definitely Vasquez, definitely Vasquez. There was somebody else in that movie, too - Paul Reiser - can't seem to remember - Paul Reiser - or remember his name - Paul Reiser.

I'll watch Terminator, then Aliens, then The Abyss, then Tombstone and then The Rock just to watch Michael Biehn melt down on screen. It's awesome!

[Surfsup]

Although Alien was a superb atmospheric movie, I'll always plump for Aliens. I loved everything about that movie, talk about keeping you pumped! It also has Ripley in the Exo-skeleton at the end which is super cool.

[fallensaviour]

Wow,that is a difficult decision for sure as both movies are so vastly different.
Alien is all about surroundings and background almost Hitchcockian in appearance if you will.
Aliens is balls out action Sci-fi.

I think for scare factor I'd say Alien cause it makes you sike out yourself.
For fast paced action and enjoyment, Aliens.
Aliens just by a hair...

[thunderbolt]

Any movie with Bill "Chet" Paxton gets my vote. Loved his whiney marine. Alien 4 is a close second for me. Ron Perlman, nuff said.

[BlackKnight]

^^^ Yeah, I like the cast in the 4th one, thought the movie was the best of the series as well.

[Bo8a_Fett]

Any movie with Bill "Chet" Paxton gets my vote. Loved his whiney marine. Alien 4 is a close second for me. Ron Perlman, nuff said.

...just for that i'm going to give you a set of elephant paws...LOL love that movie

[jds1911a1]

This is one of those really tough original versus sequel arguments (like godfather 1 or 2, Star wars or Empire, SPiderman 1 or 2 etc)

I love the horror side of Alien especially the htaching scene. Asformer army I sometimes have issues with the mechaincs of the marines but I still love it. Bill Paxton alone steals so many scenes. GAME OVER MAN GAME OVER

[Dr. Phibes]

I saw alien when it was in theatres in79, I was 14 and it scared crap out of me. Even today watching extended version, it is so gritty and the atmospher is so heavy that it still makes me uncomfortable-and i've seen it 100 times. The alien is the all time kreepiest thing ever-nobody can come up with anything as scary and original as the 1st alien...the cgi versions in 3 and 4 and in AvP aren't nearly as good. The 1st is so dark and gothic and i love the performances of the cast... very well done.
Having said that, i aslo like Aliens just not as much...both movies are in my top 10 all time. Bill Paxton very funny and private Vasqez kicks serious booty! Aliens is uniqe in it works as both a sequel and it stands alone if you knew nothing about the 1st movie.

[Steeler80]

This is a tough one as I liked the tone of dread and suspense in the first one, but the second is a terrific action movie.

I think I'd have to give the edge to Aliens. Like T1K said, the climax is classic.

(And I think the director's cut makes 3 a much better film.)

[PCofmisfittoys]

alien of course.,,the others where good but not that good. Sitting in the theater watching it was likr watching King Kong for the first time..no sequel or remake touch them.

[Goblin19]

I'd go with Alien. I still think it's one of the scariest movies ever, as well as being intelligent. Aliens is a great sequel, one of the best ever, and it's amazing how different it is from the original, while still being (nearly the) equal, IMO.

[goldenryan]

i liked alien better. It was more realistic.