Great post @gooddream
I love both of these movies and they definitely have a place in my childhood memories. I was pretty young when the original came out so I never went to the cinema to watch it. It is more of a space horror movie and I must admit that that genre is my least favourite but sci-fi is my thing, so I'm a bit conflicted.
I remember my cousins, who were slightly older than me, forcing me to watch the John Hurt 'birth scene' in the original which made me absolutely brick it! Funny enough, it also gave me the curiosity to go back to it and I've appreciated it ever since. Brilliant cast, great script and beautiful cinematography. The late 70's was huge for the sci-fi genre and films like Star Wars, Close Encounters, Logans Run and The Black Hole were ahead of their time.
The love I have for the second movie is shared with my brother. We both bring up scenes or quotes from the movie. The interaction of the marines is brilliant and Vasquez always gets the better of the others, especially Hudson.
For example,
Hudson: Hey Vasquez, have youy ever been mistaken for a man?
Vasquez: No! Have you?
They brought in quality people to play these roles and they are a highlight, especially Jenette Goldstein.
You're right, there are a few cringe-worthy moments in the movie and a few continuity errors but I can easily overlook and forgive them because the rest of it is so well put together.
Which leads me to all the other movies. Actually, I'm not sure I wan't to go there!! :(
Cheers, Gaz