I honestly didn’t mind the aliens? That movie definitely had its fucking issues but that wasn’t one of them for me. Then again I’m one of the few people who thinks it was at least… Passable I guess? Not the world ending abomination it’s made out to be.
I mean obviously it’s shit compared to the originals but… Could have been a lot worse. It had its moments.
Technically yes it’s still a scam. It’s just one that didn’t pan out for them. In this one particular instance anyways. It will continue to work for others.