I don't understand why today's standards require background for everything. We don't get Ripley's backstory in Alien and it's not needed. Even in Aliens, we only get her backstory (her having/outliving a daughter) in service of the plot and themes.

I hate being forced to sympathize with characters because of their tragic backstory. Why not write a compelling character through their actions? Tight plots with no filler are where it's at for action movies.