CHRISTIAN TOTO: Why Ripley in ‘Aliens’ Is the Ultimate Anti-Mary Sue. “Today’s woke screenwriters wouldn’t dare create the Ripley character we’ve loved for decades.”

What’s fascinating about watching James Cameron’s sequel today is spotting what isn’t on the screen. Thirty-three years ago, Cameron didn’t stuff the narrative with empowering speeches. He didn’t need to virtue signal to his fellow filmmakers.

The screenplay doesn’t emasculate male characters to make Ripley look more bad ass. Bill Paxton’s glorious Hudson is blissful comic relief.

In short, Cameron wrote Ripley as a full-bodied character sans agenda. And she’s glorious.

I really enjoyed reading this piece.