[Raellus]

My interpretation of many of the holes in the Aliens film is that a lot of it was intentional. I think the movie is as much a commentary on the power of multi-national corporations as it is on the military mismanagement that led to our defeat in Vietnam. The company set the whole thing up. The corporation likely paid for the expedition so such a small force was justified to the military on the basis of cost. The company aslo wanted maximum control on the ground so they made sure an inexperienced officer (likely with poor marks from whatever academy produces Colonial Marine officers) in charge. Heck, the company may even have had a hand in choosing the "platoon" that was sent- they seemed to have their share of screw ups. I suppose the corporate influence on the military theme could have also been a commentary on the Vietnam situation as well.

On a sidenote, I believe Ripley is one of the most positive female role models in all of film- her and Clarice Starling- and I'd like my daughter to see the film. Unfrotunately, my wife doesn't see this my way. I'm not sure what her problem is. SThe wife's not really a fan of either Aliens or Silence of the Lambs. It's either that or the fact that my daughter's only 4...