Movie: Aliens (Directed by James Cameron, 1986)

In the movie Aliens, Cpl Dwayne Hicks (played by Michael Biehn) is quiet, unassuming and a seasoned warrior. He’s sensitive and kind, but can switch it off to become ‘one tough hombre’ when he needs to take care of business. When his inexperienced Lieutenant is injured, he reluctantly steps up to the plate as commanding officer. He immediately has to make some tough decisions, while dealing with cowardly Hudson and deadly Aliens.

STATS:

We don’t know his background or why he is a Colonel Marine. We do know, however, (or maybe you didn’t—it’s subtle), that he has a heart painted on his chest armor, decorated with a latch and lock, which gives the impression that just maybe he’s running from a shattered heart.

LEADING LADY:

Ripley (Sigourney Weaver). Formerly a Warrant Officer, Ripley is promoted to Lieutenant and along with a team of United States Colonial Marines is assigned to rescue some colonists. She kicks alien butt and manages to save a little girl, as well as Hicks. By the end of the movie, one hopes Ripley is the key to Hicks’s shattered heart. The connection is subtle, but there, and Hicks isn’t afraid of a strong woman. To him, it’s a given.

Need proof? Ripley: “See you Hicks.”
Hicks: “Dwayne….its Dwayne.”
Ripley: “….Ellen.”
Hicks: “Don’t be gone long Ellen.”Other memorable quotes:Remember this line? “I like to keep this handy…..for close encounters.” He says this as he pulls a modified weapon from its hiding place. His voice is calm, the sex appeal coming through despite the sound of him racking a round of ammo into the chamber. BOTTOM LINE:Whether he is deciding to ‘nuke’ a planet, diving through plate glass to save Ripley and Newt, or contemplating pulling the trigger on Burke, he does it all with down-to-earth farm boy charm.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Have you ever asked yourself: Who is the mysterious girl behind the Heart and Lock on Hicks’s chest plate? Use your imagination. Let’s give him a backstory.