Aliens ' Bug Hunt'

It's been a little while since I've watched any of the Alien movies so I'm not completely sure about the context of the statement. It could just be a way of saying something like wild goose chase 

rob clayton

Welcome!

That is a good question. I always wondered if the Marines encountered the Xenomorphs prior to that mission. I have only seen the movies so IDK about the comics or books.

from theyr reaction from getting theyr asses kicked in the hive I very much doubt they have encountered the xeno before but interesting idea for a spin off movie

Hudson asked if it would be a stand up fight or another bug hunt. That seems to suggest their last bug hunt (whatever it was) was not a stand up fight and they lost. Maybe it was an adlib that got left in- IDK.

'Bug hunt' to me suggests it's possibly just that - a search for potentially hazardous life. Doesn't suggest they've actually encountered 'bugs', just that they've been tasked with 'hunting' around for some.

Given what we know of the colonial marines, I think the 'stand up fight' probably referenced their role in resolving (by force) human related disorder on colony planets (which, in my opinion, would be an interesting area to explore further). 'Big hunt' suggests to me their role in either investigating a prospective planet for terraforming, and 'neutralising' any alien threat, or doing the same with an existing colony that may come across some alien life. There is discussion in the mess hall on the Sulaco about other alien life the marines have come across, so we know at that time they have come across alien life before (albeit harmless by the sound of it).

Clearly they have never come across a threat of the magnitude that they eventually succumb to in Aliens, regardless of how much firepower they are packing (Better to be over prepared than under prepared).

A 'bug hunt' is dealing with hostile life forms.  As opposed to a 'stand up fight' which might be dealing with insurrectionists or terrorism. The inference in the scene is that the latter is the preferred option.

There's a short story anthology coming out in a few months that will deal specifically with different Colonial Marine adventures.

How do we explain this quote based on when Aliens came out and there wasn't any colonial marines backstory (to my knowledge) back then?

You don't need a backstory.  You just judge it in terms of the context that's mentioned.  Ferro mentions earlier, in scoffing terms, that apparently Ripley saw an alien once.  Hudson similarly scoffs as if it's no big deal.

I think Paxton's quote was an adlib that got left in. Still, it is tantalizing to entertain the thought.

That was scripted - though originally it was "Whoooah!  No shit?  I'm impressed."

They obviously weren't prepared for the Xenomorphs, but it seems they dealt with other creatures in the past. At the time, it was a mysterious question. I was unaware of the original script- thanks.

I looked into it a little and surprisingly what a "bug hunt" is has never  been properly explained.I think this idea is wide open for interpretation.

Sorry for the double post.Just corrected it.

"They obviously weren't prepared for the Xenomorphs, but it seems they dealt with other creatures in the past. At the time, it was a mysterious question. I was unaware of the original script- thanks."

Yeah they've dealt with other species before - but nothing like the Xenomorph.

On the side of the drop ship there's a little logo that says "bug stomper" with a slogan that says "we endanger species".That could give us more insight on what they do.

Never noticed that nin thanks!

It's real easy to miss.I only reason i know about it is from Aliens behind the scenes features.I also had to look it up to make sure i had it right.It's on the right side of the cockpit.

I'm trying to post pictures of it here but they've been downloading for a half hour.

This?

While military accuracy was never a priority in this film, a corporal would never fly anything with people on it. That's a warrant officer or higher gig.