Firefly, or Aliens. Which is better? by OPPYH

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Firefly, or Aliens. Which is better?

POSTED BY: OPPYH
UPDATED: Monday, February 28, 2005 13:52
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VIEWED: 4837
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Sunday, February 27, 2005 11:54 AM

If you had to choose between The movie Aliens from James Cameron, or Firefly the complete series, which would you choose? Aliens is one of my favorite films, and I choose Firefly. Hmmm, that was easier than I thought. I must really dig this Firefly stuff. Also, none of that Apples to Oranges argumentation, I know they are both fantastic, but when it comes down to it which one do you like better?

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 12:03 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Aliens, definatly. No contest.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 12:07 PM

ZOL

Each has it`s own merrits, but what you must remember is that Aliens had a beginning and a conclusion whereas firefly could have kept going (as in continous) and being a series.

Now if the question was about the crew of the `Betty` in Alien Resurection compared with the crew of `Serenity`, I think you would find that it`s a similar setup with relations of the crew.

I`m not saying it`s the same but you can see certain crew dynamics there.

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 12:13 PM

DIETCOKE

No contest for me. Firefly, hands down.

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 12:31 PM

IMEARLY

There is no viable comparison between Aliens (I assume you mean all five movies, and not just the second)

Truthfully each of the Alien movies were different genres, 1-Horror 2-Action 3-thriller 4-Action 5-Cross Genre.

Both series are the best at what they do, however one is American football and the other English.

So you're a bounty hunter.
No, that ain't it at all.
Then what are you?
I'm a bounty hunter.

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 1:27 PM

CHRISTHECYNIC

I have to say that I love Aliens, I refer only to the second movie, the series as a whole I have mixed feelings on, but I'd chose Firefly.

Those of you who remember me from days gone by probably know that I usually present a long and carefully thought out logical argument to prove my point.

This time I can't, they both have a lot going for them and neither has any serious downfalls, it’s not even recognizably a matter of taste, just a decision made somewhere in my subconscious that has decided not to explain itself.

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 1:32 PM

STARPILOTGRAINGER

Firefly of course, but Aliens is a fun movie and contains one of my favorite all-purpose lines:

"I say we take off, nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."

I use that line so often it's not funny. Well, okay, it is a little funny. It just applies to sooo many situations. :)

Star Pilot Grainger
"Remember, the enemy's gate is down."
LJ: http://www.livejournal.com/users/newnumber6 (real)
http://www.livejournal.com/users/alternaljournal (fictional)
Unreachable Star: http://www.unreachablestar.net - Comics & SF News/Reviews/Opinions

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 1:34 PM

MALICIOUS

If I were escaping from a burning building, I would grab Firefly rather than Alien/Aliens. I own all 4 of the movies in one box set, so it would be just as easy to grab it, I just wouldn't. While I do love the first two of the movie series, it just doesn't have my loyalty, as does Firefly.

I would then rescue my son and my dog.

Mal-licious

Co-Holder of the Red Bell from Hell

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 2:15 PM

SAMWIBATT

I loved Aliens, but I'm going with Firefly. IMO, it stands up better to repeated viewings, and I connect with the characters a lot more.

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 2:41 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:
Originally posted by SamWibatt:
I loved Aliens, but I'm going with Firefly. IMO, it stands up better to repeated viewings, and I connect with the characters a lot more.

Despite my sarcastic post above, I agree completely about repeated viewings. I really do love that quality about Firefly, and hope Serenity will be something like that as well.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 2:43 PM

EMBERS

I enjoyed Aliens...
but it didn't mean much to me as a person,
I don't want to rewatch any of it,
I wouldn't join an online community to discuss it,
I wouldn't want to read novels or comics based on it...
so I have to say: Firefly
no question

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 2:48 PM

SIMONWHO

I'd say Aliens is better but Firefly means more to me personally. Whereas Aliens is like Elton John's Your Song (or something mainstream that you like), Firefly is like a ballard that a friend gave you a copy of that you really love but it never breaks through into the public consciousness.

Aliens is also packed with quotable lines "Game Over man, Game Over!", "They mostly come at night, mostly", "Get away from her you bitch", "Have you ever been mistaken for a man? No, have you?" etc, etc.

However, I suppose the next question is "Serenity or Aliens, which is better?" And I know the answer.

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 2:48 PM

SIMONWHO

I double posted. Pity me.

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 3:08 PM

CHRISTHECYNIC

Quote:
Originally posted by SimonWho:
"They mostly come at night, mostly"

I love that line, Newt was the best character in that film.

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 4:36 PM

TMURRIE

Well you just have to look at the two, I mean, which one made you feel better? Which one did you try first? Which one made you get up and say "I want this everyday!"? Which one? But personally, I'd choose apples since it makes good juice as well, whereas oranges sometimes have the pulp in the juice, which I don't like.

What did you think I was talking about?

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 7:32 PM

NEEDLESEYE

No question here.
Firefly.

Keeper of Jayne's goggles. 8)

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 7:56 PM

PIZMOBEACH

... fully loaded, safety off...

Alien(s) 1 and 2 were groundbreaking, amazing films. I remember where I saw them and with whom, which is a sure sign that they were ... um.. eventful. At least in my life. Not a lot of films like that. But since Aliens (numero #2) the franchise has been running on fumes and studio's capitolists' dreams, and has just fallen off a cliff. And it's just dark, not a lot of hope - great lines for sure, stuff that makes its way into your brain forever, "you know the drill, assholes and elbows," "how many combat drops for you sir?" "Bishop!" "What are we suppose to use, harsh language?!" "They can bill me!" and on and on. Firefly is a lot more positive, a lot more - oddly - real.

I'd like to be king of all Londinum and wear a shiny hat.

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 9:13 PM

HANDMAIDENANDE

Quote:
Originally posted by StarPilotGrainger:
Firefly of course, but Aliens is a fun movie and contains one of my favorite all-purpose lines:

"I say we take off, nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."

I use that line so often it's not funny. Well, okay, it is a little funny. It just applies to sooo many situations. :)

This so made me laugh! I've heard of many lines from the film being used in various real life situations. Hudson's "Game over". Frost's "harsh language" line. "No offense/None taken." Never have I heard Hicks's "nuke the site from orbit" used out of the blue. You rock!

Now, onto the discussion. I can't use the apples/oranges reasoning? Drat. Well, let's set up an argument for both, shall we?

Aliens: One of my all time favorite films. The first rated R movie I ever saw in the theater. I remember getting up at the end and my legs were shaking. A great roller coaster ride, perfect action film. Ripley is the recluctant heroine and protector of Newt. Hicks was one of my first movie crushes. I've loved this film for nineteen years now.

Firefly: Well, I fell in love with this only last summer, but I've been devoted to it from viewing one. It's more positive, different type of humor. While Aliens does have interesting characters, I don't watch the film and think "Oh, Hicks really reminds me of my friend James." I feel more of a connection to our Firefly crew. I a total Kaylee-like person, and many of the characters resemble my friend's personalities a great deal. (Well, except River of course.

) Plus, I've had the opportunity to interact and meet with some of the actors and my fellow Browncoats, so that adds to my love for the show.

Wow, I didn't think I'd be able to choose, but it looks like I did. Firefly, you have captured my heart. Now please nobody do a Star Wars/Firefly poll.

Stay shiny,
Andé

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 9:21 PM

SMITH

My answer has sort of a "chicken or the egg" dilemma. Being one of the very few people who loved "Alien:Resurrection" (not solely because of Joss's involvement, my addiction to it is unexplainable really, I just like it and suppose I am therefore certifiably insane) I am strongly devoted to the entire Alien Franchise. However, I think it was my love of the crew of the 'Betty' that made me identify so instinctively with Firefly. As ZOL previously noted, the two crews bear a striking resemblance, especially Jayne and Johner (Ron Pearlman). But since you went to all the trouble of asking, I suppose my choice would be Firefly, because, well, how can you not? (This answer is especially true if the question only meant Aliens as in Alien 2, which, while it is many if not most people's fave of the series, in my opinion isn't quite as enjoyable as Firefly.)

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Sunday, February 27, 2005 9:58 PM

SOUPCATCHER

Quote:
Originally posted by SimonWho:
Aliens is also packed with quotable lines "Game Over man, Game Over!", "They mostly come at night, mostly", "Get away from her you bitch", "Have you ever been mistaken for a man? No, have you?" etc, etc.

Oh man! Me and my friends used "Game Over man, Game Over!" ad nauseum. For about a year. Irritated many of our classmates

.

Easy choice, however: Firefly.

Embers pretty much speaks for me with her great post.

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Monday, February 28, 2005 1:45 AM

IAMJACKSUSERNAME

Well, I'm all right. - Mal

Aliens, T1, and T2 were my holy trilogy as a kid (too young to understand the fuss with Star Wars), and while I still love Cameron's early work and will regularly pop in one of those DVDs; Firefly's 11 hours are gonna see more play than Aliens' 2.5.

Anyone noticed how Aliensy the first half of "Bushwhacked" is?
--
I am Jack's username
"Get away from her you BITCH!"

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Monday, February 28, 2005 4:15 AM

EST120

Quote:
Originally posted by Smith:
My answer has sort of a "chicken or the egg" dilemma. Being one of the very few people who loved "Alien:Resurrection" (not solely because of Joss's involvement, my addiction to it is unexplainable really, I just like it and suppose I am therefore certifiably insane)

i do not think you are crazy. i kind of liked it too. i thought it got back to the horror aspects of the first film and not so much the high impact action of the second and third movies. still, the second movie was the best, but the original is pretty good too. i would rate resurrection third with alien3 a distant fourth. i know a lot of people thought it was stupid looking, but i felt the alien-human hybrid in resurrection was pretty creepy looking (not to mention one of the most painful ways to die!).

as far as the original intent of this thread, i also think this is a somewhat difficult comparison. i would have to throw my hat into the firefly pile, though. i am more drawn to the character driven and storytelling aspects of firefly than i am to the action and inherent creepiness of aliens. for me, firefly just has the right blend of action and dialogue. i cannot explain it.

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Monday, February 28, 2005 4:55 AM

REAVERMADNESS

I want to get a little spooked... Let's put in Firefly... No that doesn't work.

Hey I want to watch something that was written for an intelligent audience... Lets put in Alien.. or one of that line... Nope. That doesn't work either.

Hey. I want to be entertained. Let's watch Firefly. OK! That works.

When I die I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my grandpa. Not screaming and yelling like everyone else in the car he was driving.

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Monday, February 28, 2005 6:23 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Firefly, no doubt. Why we still talking about this?

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Meet Up:
http://firefly.meetup.com/9/boards/

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Monday, February 28, 2005 7:18 AM

QUIETUDE

I have to say Firefly as well, cause I have seen both the TV series and the BIG DAMN MOVIE. I can't remember laughing or applauding at an Aliens movie, plus Lance Henriksen always annoys me, one of the most deadpan actors there is. No wonder his face is so craggy, its cause he never uses his facial muscles.

I grew up with the movie Alien as a major influence. It was one of those movies that was always on TV late at night, and you would have to creep down and watch it while not trying to wake up the parents who would put you back to bed again. It was physcological rather than action (guy in a wetsuit with a huge helmet on, was all the Alien was, but you never really got a good look at her), and a lot of suspense.

Aliens ripped the not seeing the Alien bit apart, although you still had the motion sensor bits to keep the tension up.

But all that pales in comparsion to Firefly and Serenity. With that crew you would care if someone is going to live or die, in Aliens who cared except for Ripley and she never dies anyway. Even molten metal didn't do the trick in the end, hell she even had to try and kill herself off in Resurrection with a flamethrower, but that was just one of her.

Aliens is all about testosterone, you have that in Firefly, but you also have comedy, plot twists and lets not forget whores!!

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Monday, February 28, 2005 10:44 AM

the movie is not the Series. Only the facts have been changed, to irritate the innocent; the names of the actors and characters remain the same

Quote:
Originally posted by christhecynic:
I love that line, Newt was the best character in that film.

My favourite has always been:
"I don't know if you've been keeping up with current events, but we just got our asses kicked."

Typing it doesn't do it justice; you have to hear Bill Paxton's whining delivery.

Keep the Shiny Side Up

Wutzon: Sarah McLachlan, "Angel", from "Surfacing"

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Monday, February 28, 2005 1:52 PM

CHRISTHECYNIC

I think Hudson was perhaps the best character from an artistic standpoint. A lot of people in the world are all talk when they aren’t in immediate danger, they act tough when it doesn’t matter, but when the shit hits the fan they just fall to pieces.

Hudson was a character that was no less real than those people, and indeed did go to pieces, but only after they were safe, only when it didn’t matter. Then he spent most of the rest of the movie being a whiny crybaby without a backbone, but when the shit hit the fan he pulled together.

There are people like that, many in fact, but usually they are left out, they defy expectation.

I like the fact that it showed someone who couldn’t take the pressure, was breaking down, but when the time came and he was necessary he didn’t show any fear. Right up until the moment they burst through the ceiling he was a crybaby, but from that moment till when he was pulled through the floor he was a hero.

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