AIien Quadrilogy, or the single movies?

[dfd3657]

OK. I've been wanting to get the Quadrilogy ever since it came out, but the thing is, I don't really think I'll watch Alien 3 and Resurrection more than once. Alien and Aliens are my favorites, and I'm wondering if I'd be better off just getting the collector's editions of those. Are the extras pretty much the same for each? If they're different, I may just skimp out and get the Quadrilogy. A couple months ago, there was a used copy of it at the EB Games I work at for like 40 bucks, but the box was completely fucked, which pissed me off, because it SO would've been mine.

[Lord Raiden]

I originally had ALIEN and ALIENS on single copies, but went ahead and got the Quadrilogy. I gave the single discs to a friend and haven't regretted getting the Quad. ALIEN 3 grew on me and I probably enjoy it the most out of the entire series (despite some bad special effects). Each movie comes with the theatrical and extended edtions plus a buttload of special features. I say go for it and get the Quadrilogy. I thought I saw it at Best Buy last week for $60-70 and you have to think about them stop making the set.

[OpT!Mu5]

Honestly, Alien 3 and 4 are not worth it...I bought the collectors edition of the first two and those are the only ones you really need. Yeah, the quadrilogy is pretty cool, but half the movies are amazing and the other half blow ass. I would say just get the first two seperately. But do want you want.;)

[Macphist0]

The director's cut of Alien3 is such an improvement, take the risk, give the whole thing a shot.

I don't know how the sale prices go in America, but here in Britain, the whole set on sale is about the same price as buying the two films on their own anyways..It started on sale at about £50-60, I've seen it now many times for £15.

[blk_flower]

I bought the first and second film seperatly on the collector's editions
http://206.188.192.6/ProductImages/aliendircut.jpg http://www.johnbuckelew.net/movie/images/427f.jpg
Great extras, picture and audio as I think they're the same to the entire set, the only reason I would of wanted to get the whole set was for the entire bonus disc.

[Badbird]

If the only thing you care about is the movies themselves, then you're better off just getting them individually.

But if you really like extra features and behind the scenes stuff, then go with the Quad. Seriously, you may not like 3 and 4 (I don't really), but the behind the scenes stuff is fascinating. Plus the extra cuts are cool. Well, Alien 3 is. Alien 4 was hardly different.

If you're a hardcore Alien fan it's a must. This thing will keep you busy for weeks.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

I own the individual collector's editions of each movie. It was cheaper for, and I didn't end up with that useless 9th disc. Plus I like the individual cover art more. I still don't see why Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection are so hated. At least they're well-made and enjoyable films (well, 3 is kinda depressing actually, but I like it, in a bleak Silent Hill 2 kind of way), unlike AVP.

[AWP82]

Originally posted by Macphist0
The director's cut of Alien3 is such an improvement, take the risk, give the whole thing a shot.

I totally agree with you about the director's cut, but I have just one question/gripe...why in the hell didn't that alien burst out of Ripley's chest at the end (as she fell into the furnace)? It was so integral to the plot and there was such a buildup leading to it, then suddenly...nothing. She just falls in and that's it. I don't get for the life of me why they'd NOT have the alien come out. It just doesn't make sense. :confused:

[ElderPredator]

I bought the Quadrilogy because I still like the 3rd and 4th a lot. They're not nearly as good as the first two but still very enjoyable. As well like you guys have said, the Director's Cut of "Alien 3" was fantastic and should have been the first release. The plot line of them actually trapping the Alien in the chemical waste room and then that guy letting it out was great writing. Very much in the style of Fincher.

The only thing that bugs me about the Quadrilogy is the fact that David Fincher gave no commentary for his movie, no interviews, nothing. I can understand he wants nothing to do with the movie but I don't think he should be that ashamed.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

He's not ashamed, he's pissed off. They also cut the documentary on Alien 3 heavily. There's a part where in the actual footage (you can see the beginning of this on the DVD) he's sitting in his chair and then he gets up and grabs a boom mic and yells "It's hard to believe Fox is the number one studio when they're run by fucking idiots!" or something like that.
And I believe the work cut is an improvement except for in one area: the birth of the alien. I mean, I prefer that the alien comes from a dog and that's why it's so fast and agile. Not that it comes from a buffalo looking thing and is incredibly fast. I mean, if the alien's supposed to take on characteristics of its host, wouldn't it be bulky and really strong?
All things considered, for them to even come close to making Fincher's Alien 3, they'd have to almost reshoot the movie. That's why I'm glad there's at least a very good movie that came out of that struggle, but I'm also really saddened by what could have been. I mean, have any of you read the original Alien 3 script? It would've dwarved Aliens by leaps and bounds.

[ElderPredator]

Originally posted by Tyler_Durden_208
I mean, have any of you read the original Alien 3 script? It would've dwarved Aliens by leaps and bounds.

I have and it was fantastic. It would have been better but it failed miserably in the end. Fincher is absolutely right because Fox is the same way till this very day. They fuck over their directors by not giving them enough time to make a decent film and giving terrible budgets. I can see now why George Lucas never sold the right of Star Wars to Fox because they would fuck him over and us fans.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Just choosing AVP over a Scott/Cameron directed Alien 5 and ruining Alien 3, which could've been the best Alien movie out of the trilogy (judging from the original script, which is now similar to what was in mind for Alien 5, the xenomorphs making it to earth and an all out war ensuing), Fox is on my shit list. I mean, they've put out some great movies, but that's no excuse for their conduct.
Also, why did Fox release one of the most needlessly violent and grotesque movies I've seen in recent times (The Hills Have Eyes), but feel they needed to cut down AVP? Not that the gore would help much, but still, I wonder.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by ElderPredator
I have and it was fantastic. It would have been better but it failed miserably in the end. Fincher is absolutely right because Fox is the same way till this very day. They fuck over their directors by not giving them enough time to make a decent film and giving terrible budgets. I can see now why George Lucas never sold the right of Star Wars to Fox because they would fuck him over and us fans.

And yet Fincher came back and made Fight Club for them.

:confused:

I have the Quadrilogy, simply put because I am a huge fan of the series. Obviously, Alien and Aliens are are far better films than the last two, but I love the extras, and the ninth disc isn't without its own good stuff. Seeing the Alien 3 alternate cut is something any Alien series fans should see, if for just how different it is from the final release.

[cocksmokinclerk]

i have alien, aliens, and alen3 special 2 disc editions which are awesome, and i would've got the quadrilogy cuz resurection is a cool flick, what ruined it for me was the stupid as fuck half alien/ half human "thing" at the end, i fucking hated that!!

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by outsyder
And yet Fincher came back and made Fight Club for them.

:confused:

Fincher made damn sure he had total control over the film. Also, Fox was less involved with FIght Club. They were more a distributor in a way, instead of owniing the property, like Alien.

[CletusHorniblow]

My cousin has the quadrilogy and I've been meaning to purchase it myself for quite a long time. It truly is an excellent set, whether you like EVERY movie in the series or not. The price may be a bit steep, but you have to consider what you're getting in the long run.

[AWP82]

Originally posted by AWP82
why in the hell didn't that alien burst out of Ripley's chest at the end (as she fell into the furnace)? It was so integral to the plot and there was such a buildup leading to it, then suddenly...nothing. She just falls in and that's it. I don't get for the life of me why they'd NOT have the alien come out. It just doesn't make sense. :confused:

Turn on your mic. No one can hear you. That's why they're ignoring you.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by AWP82
Turn on your mic. No one can hear you. That's why they're ignoring you.
I wasn't ignoring yeh, I just don't have an explanation. I like it better that we know she's sacrificing herself to end it and she's also saved the pain of something bursting through her chest. If there's a big problem with the theatrical cut, for me, it's that they have that at the end. It's just such a slap in the face considering that you know she's gonna die already, why twist the knife?

[Hominid]

Buy the special edition of Alien and Aliens, Forget the other two ever happend (I'm not blaming anyone but the studio).

[dfd3657]

Well, I've finally decided that if my paycheck is good this coming Friday, I'm going to order the Quadrilogy. The reason I say this is because I need to have 100+ dollars for the Chiller Theatre at the end of the month.

[Badbird]

Originally posted by Tyler_Durden_208
I mean, have any of you read the original Alien 3 script? It would've dwarved Aliens by leaps and bounds.

Dude, there was, like, thirty scripts for that movie. Though I thought the wooden space station story they talked about was pretty cool. In the end, I think the Alien 3/4 back to back stories would have been the way to go.

Plus I think there had been an entire regime change at Fox by the time Fincher did Fight Club.

[rilocay]

Reason why Fox made Fight Club was (this is from memory) some dude high up did the approval to make it thinking it was something different, he wason holiday or sick or something and got back by the time they finished the movie. He ended up firing some people from fox for it because it wasnt they type of film that "fox" wanted to make...neways im sure you can find the history on it from wickepedia, but thats what i remeber from some doco i saw a while back.

As for aliens, alot of people enjoy 3, so maybe rent it before you get the set...but the set is definatly worth it.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by Badbird
Dude, there was, like, thirty scripts for that movie. Though I thought the wooden space station story they talked about was pretty cool. In the end, I think the Alien 3/4 back to back stories would have been the way to go.

Plus I think there had been an entire regime change at Fox by the time Fincher did Fight Club.
Well, I'm talking about the script that they were gonna go with when they hired Fincher on (the aliens reaching Earth and all-out war breaking out) but was abandoned after it was deemed to high of a budget.

[AWP82]

Originally posted by Tyler_Durden_208
I wasn't ignoring yeh, I just don't have an explanation. I like it better that we know she's sacrificing herself to end it and she's also saved the pain of something bursting through her chest. If there's a big problem with the theatrical cut, for me, it's that they have that at the end. It's just such a slap in the face considering that you know she's gonna die already, why twist the knife?

Sorry if I laid the sarcasm on too thick (just goofing around). But anyway, thanks for the input. I can see how leaving out that little chestbursting bit could be a relief for that face-slapped individual who doesn't want to get slapped again by a "gratuitous overkill" scene. No need to rub it in. I understand that. Personally, I'm a bit masochistic when it comes to that stuff. I like that extra little gratuitous jab at my senses. It adds a quick little rush of brain euphoria to the "movie high" I'm already experiencing from being so into the movie. Does that make sense?

Oh well, maybe I'll never know the official reason. It's just one of those nitpicky fan-boy gripes of mine. The alternate scene got me off guard after being so used to the theatrical cut, and the curiosity kills me.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Actually, I do have an official answer now. After consulting multiple sources, it was deemed the original ending was too close to Terminator 2. And I wasn't trying to rub it in, it's really how I felt towards the theatrical cut's ending. Maybe I was just saying towards Fox somehow :p

[AWP82]

Originally posted by Tyler_Durden_208
Actually, I do have an official answer now. After consulting multiple sources, it was deemed the original ending was too close to Terminator 2. And I wasn't trying to rub it in, it's really how I felt towards the theatrical cut's ending. Maybe I was just saying towards Fox somehow :p

No, I didn't mean YOU were rubbing it in. I meant the chestbursting scene is what rubbed it in (i.e. gratuitous overkill), as opposed to Ripley just falling (in the S.E.) which was sad enough. That was my take on your feelings about the scene, judging from your post. :)

As for the T2 ending comparison, I guess I see what they mean. The chestbursting bit added pizazz, thus making it officially different.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by AWP82
No, I didn't mean YOU were rubbing it in. I meant the chestbursting scene is what rubbed it in (i.e. gratuitous overkill), as opposed to Ripley just falling (in the S.E.) which was sad enough. That was my take on your feelings about the scene, judging from your post. :)

As for the T2 ending comparison, I guess I see what they mean. The chestbursting bit added pizazz, thus making it officially different.
Ah, sorry for my misunderstanding, I'm currently inebriated from vodka/lemonade mix and thus my brain not work as good as should.
And yeah, I prefer the assembly cut version, but the effects of Ripley falling in the molten liquid is done better in the theatrical cut.

[dfd3657]

Originally posted by cocksmokinclerk
i have alien, aliens, and alen3 special 2 disc editions which are awesome, and i would've got the quadrilogy cuz resurection is a cool flick, what ruined it for me was the stupid as fuck half alien/ half human "thing" at the end, i fucking hated that!!

Yeah, I didn't hate the flick when I first saw it (although I was like 12 when I first saw it), but in retrospect, the whole "human alien" thing is fucking retarded. And I liked Alien 3; it's just weak compared to the other two. But I'm going to give in and get the Quadrilogy. I just love the alien creatures so damn much that I'll have to own all the flicks. A decent Alien flick is better than no Alien flick.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by dfd3657
Yeah, I didn't hate the flick when I first saw it (although I was like 12 when I first saw it), but in retrospect, the whole "human alien" thing is fucking retarded. And I liked Alien 3; it's just weak compared to the other two. But I'm going to give in and get the Quadrilogy. I just love the alien creatures so damn much that I'll have to own all the flicks. A decent Alien flick is better than no Alien flick.
Take that back. Having no sequel at all would've been better than AVP. :p
And I dunno, I always liked the newborn, and I like that it gives a little bit of depth to an otherwise not very deep film. I always feel a little sad watching the look of anger and sorrow on its face when it's betrayed by its "mother".

[GavinE]

Bought the quad a month ago used for $40 bucks. I am happy with that decision. Only gripe I have is that the damn thing folds out FOREVER when you open it. Slim cases Fox, slim cases.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by GavinE
Bought the quad a month ago used for $40 bucks. I am happy with that decision. Only gripe I have is that the damn thing folds out FOREVER when you open it. Slim cases Fox, slim cases.
Exactly why own the individual collector's editions. I never really cared for the ninth disc, and plus I like the artwork more. Johner (Ron Perlman) hanging from the ladder deserved it's own fold on the artwork for Alien Resurrection:p

[dfd3657]

Originally posted by Tyler_Durden_208
Take that back. Having no sequel at all would've been better than AVP. :p
And I dunno, I always liked the newborn, and I like that it gives a little bit of depth to an otherwise not very deep film. I always feel a little sad watching the look of anger and sorrow on its face when it's betrayed by its "mother".

I thought it was pretty fuckin' retarded when it got sucked through that tiny hole.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by dfd3657
I thought it was pretty fuckin' retarded when it got sucked through that tiny hole.
Yeah, that was retarted, but I meant more the look on its face (great animatronics, by the way) and Ripley sobbing and saying "I'm sorry". Somehow I feel this might be liked a lot more if it wasn't an Alien movie.