I more often than not prefer the pacing of the original cut, but I do appreciate some of the added scenes and details. I like the derelict scene, the scene where Ripley finds out about what happened to her daughter, seeing Hadley's Hope before the disaster helps punctuate the tragedy, and the turret scene is pretty cool.
I also mostly agree with BlueMarsalis and others that the special edition really kind beats you over the head with the motherhood themes, which I think strips away some of Ripley's agency. Or at least pigeonholes her more, if that makes sense.
It's still there in the theatrical cut for sure, but it's not quite as obvious or present as the special edition.