They always had insect elements.
I think there is a very good display of hostility in Aliens, even in comparison to Alien (Ferro, Burke, the swarm, Bishop bisection). Hostility is off the chart in Aliens.I think devious and cunning can be applied also. Cutting the power, alternate attack strategies, first encounter ambush, utilizing the suspended ceiling, stealth approach from water. They fit the definition of cunning.
Sadism, maybe not so much. In Alien, the sadism appears to be limited to the Lambert scene. I think I would have appreciated some of that in Aliens though. The Queen's attack on Bishop can be considered sadistic though. She displays her power, and takes time bringing Bishop up for the kill. It's just not as drawn out as whatever Hell Lambert went through.