The Terminator Reviews

Is there a better person to play a cyborg than Arnold? For this movie he was a massively built oak tree of a man. His strange accent makes for a perfect callous robotic sounding killing machine. It's almost like his voice is a computer read out ( which I guess it is in one sense ). Terminator is one of those films that started something huge. People didn't realize it at the time, but the careers of Arnold, Cameron and perhaps even guys like Micahel Biehn, Lance Henriksen and even Bill Paxton were substantially started because of this film. And Cameron must have liked working with them so much that he gave all of them substantial roles in his next film ( Aliens ).

As we all know what the story is, I'll just tell you a bit about what is so fascinating about it. First I have to mention Michael Biehn. He has the real starring role. He is the character that has to explain everything to the audience. He has to explain this complicated story so that we know what is happening and why. It is not an easy job to do something like that and still come off looking all right. But Biehn is simply awesome in this film. A microcosm of his performance can be seen when Sara bites him. Biehn ( Kyle Reese ) replies " Terminator's don't feel pain. I do. Don't do that again. " That is such a great line delivered with the perfect expression, the perfect tone and the perfect timing. Biehn is perfect for the role.

This is also the first film that I saw as a youngster that ever warned me of the dangers of nuclear war and of the rapid advancements of machinery. Perhaps I was too young and naive to fully understand all that James Cameron was trying to say, but now that I am older, I can honestly say that the two Terminators are perfect anti nuke films. And they are so passionate with what they have to say. I like it when a film has something to say. I enjoy being entertained in the process but if you can manage both then you have a masterpiece. This is a masterpiece.

Finally. there are two other reasons to enjoy this film. One, this is the first film where "I'll be back" was spoken. Now it is part of Arnolds vernacular. Secondly, Bill Paxton is in it. And he adds spark to any film that he's in. Especially here, as the idiot punk leader that really gets the hell beat out of him, he has some great lines.

A great film.

'The Terminator' is an unforgettable thriller classic with James Cameron as the writer and director ('Titanic' and 'Avatar') and clever stop motion effects

Endless travels between 1984 and 2029 are just so fun and Arnold Schwarzenegger and the cast (Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield) are all very good in it

Yesterday, I saw it again with my step-son and, man, it was just a real blast!!! It is rather funny to see that even before he got those monster budgets, James Cameron was already able to make some pretty awesome action scenes. I mean, 30 years later, the whole thing still holds up pretty good whereas most of the 80's movies look nowadays terribly cheesy. Of course, the story was rather preposterous but they still managed to create a fascinating mythology and a dreary vision of the future. On the other hand, there managed to provide many funny scenes and some great one liners along the way. Another masterstroke was that even though Schwarzenegger couldn't act whatsoever, since he was portraying an emotionless cyborg, it was just perfect. They even managed to fill in a romantic intrigue which wasn't annoying at all. Eventually, back then, action movies were R rated with a huge capital R and they weren't skirmish about those. To conclude, even though I'm usually not a great fan of action movies, I really loved this one, it is a great mix of action and SF and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

The 80's had a unique culture of it's own. While many decided to dish out the permy-hairs and leather clothing in many high-school movies, some went violent and dark, bringing some of the most beloved action movies of all time. The Terminator lies somewhere in-between. It mixes the permy-hairstyle, the leather-clothing, nail-biting scenes and extreme graphic violence and brings us the most classic action movie of all time with an intricate storyline and a unique household name.

After the disappointing results of Piranha 2: The Spawning, director James Cameron took upon him to direct The Terminator, earning him the title "Mr. Heartless" along the way. Never has a film so closely followed the rules in the action book: Full brutal, no remorse, violent, nail-biting scenes and a beautiful theme song. It was also quite-unique because amist all the chaos, the bloodshed, there was a love storyline between Reese & Connor and that gave a more human touch to the movie or otherwise it would've been just one-sided! To the modern eye the effects are kinda kinky and glitchy but remember, it was the 80's and no CGI. Speaking of effects, we gotta thank Stan Winston for making an icon out of the titular character. Stan Winston is a legend among movie-goers and one cannot fail to see why. Arnold Schwarzenegger may have played The Terminator in it's human form, which would go on to become his most closely-related role, but it's actually the frozen-smiled endoskeleton that we see in the end is actually more iconic. A fantastically-terrifying job on that one.

On the other hand we have Linda Hamilton as the iconic Sarah Connor and would go on to reprise the role in the sequel. Accompanying her from the future is Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese. This is one of the three films he appears directed by James Cameron that he dies (the other two are Aliens & The Abyss). Boy, Cameron must've hated this guy LOL! Joke! Anyways, James Cameron, always the big thinker, has created immortal icons out of this movie and really gave something for the masses!

A true classic that requires a revisit!

"Listen and understand. That Terminator is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead."

The Terminator is one of the most important motion pictures of the 1980s, as it launched the career of visionary director James Cameron and catapulted Austrian bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger to stardom. Cameron went on to helm several groundbreaking blockbusters in later years (Aliens, Terminator 2, Titanic, Avatar, and so on), while Arnie developed into a legendary big-name action star with such movies as Commando, Predator, Total Recall and The Running Man. 1984's The Terminator spawned these two Hollywood legends for good reason - this is one of the most remarkable, original science fiction/action films in history. Unhindered by its modest $6.4 million budget, Cameron put every cent of the financing to great use, resulting in several memorable images and set pieces. Crucially, The Terminator is pitched as more of a horror movie, with Schwarzenegger depicted as a genuinely terrifying and intimidating presence that seemingly cannot be stopped. Benefitting from still-impressive special effects, remarkable performances, ample excitement and a mesmerising pace, The Terminator is one of the greatest movies of all time, and it remains the best instalment in the Terminator franchise.

In 2029, humans are at war against the machines. Leading up to the global nuclear war, tech company Cyberdyne Systems set up an artificially intelligent defence network called Skynet, based on a neural net of learning computers. However, when the system becomes self-aware, it strikes against humankind and nearly wipes out the planet's population. In 1997, on a day known as Judgment Day, three billion human lives were lost in a nuclear holocaust triggered by Skynet, and only small pockets of human resistance are still alive. Their only hope is human resistance leader John Connor, who encourages his fellow survivors to fight back in coordinated attacks. Consequently, Skynet has practically lost the war and is on the brink of extermination. To reverse this outcome, Skynet sends a humanlike cyborg - a T-800 model Terminator (played by Schwarzenegger) - back in time. His mission is to exterminate John Connor before his birth and entirely prevent his existence. The Terminator is sent back to 1984, and his target is John's mother, an innocuous waitress named Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). However, the Terminator is not the only one to enter the time portal. To protect his mother from the ruthless cyborg assassin, John sends a soldier, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), back to 1984 to destroy the indestructible Terminator.

Cameron and co-writer Gale Anne Hurd structure The Terminator as an extended chase, with the vulnerable Sarah and Reese perpetually on the run from the relentless Terminator. Of course, Sarah initially distrusts Reese, but a bond gradually forms between them that develops into a romance. The Terminator is as lean, economical and relentless as its antagonist, but Cameron nevertheless allows us to get to know Sarah and Reese, and grow to care about them and their relationship. There's plenty of expository dialogue to explain the Future War and reveal more about the Terminators, but it's usually provided during intense chase sequences, conveying critical information without boring viewers to death. Thanks to these aforementioned characteristics, a question will constantly linger in the mind: can the Terminator be stopped? This generates the hard-to-nail asset of tension, keeping your eyes glued to the screen and keeping you thoroughly engaged in the proceedings.

The Terminator's key strength is combining action with ambitious ideas, making it feel more substantial than a run-of-the-mill, turn-off-your-brain collection of fights, shootouts and car chases. The plot involves time travel and its inherent paradoxes, requiring viewers to pay attention or risk being lost. Additionally, the circumstances surrounding the Future War are especially thought-provoking, especially in the 21st Century with advances in technology and artificial intelligence. As demonstrated in several of his movies, Cameron is a filmmaker able to incorporate provocative sociocultural themes that blow you out of your seat, thrilling your heart and mind. The Terminator is no different. However, noted science fiction author Harlan Ellison sued Cameron in the years following the film's release, claiming that The Terminator bore more than a passing resemblance to an Outer Limits teleplay of his. While the similarities are arguably insignificant, the settlement resulted in Ellison gaining an undisclosed amount of money and an acknowledgement of his works in the end credits.

The Terminator was produced for a relatively paltry sum, yet the believability of the sets and effects (mostly) belie the production's low-budget nature. Cameron constructs a stunning, chilling vision of Earth's bleak future here, and the movie is exceptionally atmospheric throughout. The Future War sequences remain the best in the franchise because they are pitched as dark, harrowing and scary, and the film's rough-around-the-edge grittiness beats the glossiness of subsequent instalments. Late great special effects guru Stan Winston was responsible for the Terminator effects, and while some shots are dated, there are many impressive effects sequences throughout. Admittedly, the Terminator endoskeleton movement during the climax looks somewhat phoney, but the film's other attributes are solid enough to overcome such shortcomings. The soundtrack is largely impressive, as well, with booming sound effects and Brad Fiedel's effective synth score. The main Terminator theme is particularly outstanding and memorable.

In 1984, Schwarzenegger was a star with limited acting experience, but he had precisely what Cameron needed: a relentless countenance and an imposing physique. Schwarzenegger's Achilles heel was convincing dialogue delivery, but this was no impediment in the case of The Terminator. After all, the role called for him to be an emotionless cyborg that kills without compunction, with a binary code governing his actions and attitudes. Arnie's deadpan voice affords an unnerving edge to the limited dialogue he delivers. Additionally, Schwarzenegger's ability to effectively immerse himself into the role makes his performance so memorable; he looks perpetually stoic, focused and in the moment. The Terminator is also the movie that introduced Arnie's catchphrase, "I'll be back." Meanwhile, the film's other two leads - Biehn and Hamilton - are highly impressive, with their relative inexperience never showing through. Both of them are charismatic, physically adept, and suitably intense. The love story between Kyle and Sarah is believable thanks to the excellent leads, and this romance makes the film both raw and emotional.

Upon release in 1984, the film's distributor - Orion Pictures - did not give The Terminator a large marketing push as they perceived it as a small, niche-market action film. As it turns out, they were wrong - the film was #1 at the box office for two weeks and earned more than ten times its production budget. Like its titular villain, The Terminator is relentless in tension and action. With its thought-provoking premise, it engendered a new era of sci-fi/action films, and it has never been surpassed or equalled by any of its imitators. The Terminator stands as a profound reminder that action movies can provoke an on-screen adrenaline rush without short-circuiting the brain. The film's success eventually led to numerous sequels, beginning with Terminator 2: Judgment Day in 1991.

10/10

The Terminator is a film that I didn't really like very much first time I saw it after seeing it again, I appreciated it a lot more and was blown away by it. The Terminator is a film that is very brutal, hard-hitting and violent which makes it almost perfect for the story. Only when this came out and before the other films did, we didn't know everything about Sarah Connor or The Terminator. Also, in a few ways I don't see how it could have been a franchise but after the second one came out, I could then. To be fair, the visual effects in The Terminator aren't good compared to effects now but back then they were amazing.


Arnold Schwarzenegger proves that he is The Terminator. He doesn't really act in this film but most scenes he has in the film are action scenes or when he's silent. In the first Terminator film, we only see The Terminator as a cold-blooded killer nothing more but we see in the second one his heroic side that does have a heart. The Terminator was like a possessed machine in this film. To play The Terminator, you don't really need the acting talent but only the body build with a lot of muscle which is perfect for Arnie. Michael Beihn was outstanding as Kyle Reese. There's a secret about Kyle that we don't learn until the next films. Kyle is a very brave man because he decides to protect Sarah Connor from The Terminator even though he's a human fighting a machine who is bigger and stronger than him. Linda Hamilton was awesome as Sarah Connor. Personally, I thought she was better in the first one than the second film even though she was a complete nut job in that one.


James Cameron's The Terminator is such a fantastic film to watch. His work on the film and the whole franchise is pure genius. Watching this film was like the start to the brilliant action sci-fi films from James Cameron. Cameron's two early films Aliens and The Terminator are in my opinion his two best films.


This is the best of the Terminator series in my opinion. It is James Cameron's second best film behind Aliens. The Terminator is one of the best science fiction films ever made. The Terminator is a brutal, hard-hitting and violent masterpiece that I didn't love before but absolutely love now!