With a script that has some brilliant twists, and some jaw-dropping action scenes, The Terminator easily earns as a place as a modern classic. (Yeah, T2, is damn good too, but sometimes less IS more.) Schwarzenegger is so much better as the villain, considering his...ahem...intimidation potential.
The Terminator is perhaps better described a great science fiction movie that also happens to boast some truly breathtaking action. It offers a real plot and some thought-provoking questions about the convenience of time travel. Directed in a kinetic and gritty style by James Cameron and written with a good degree of intelligence by Mr. C., and his then-wife, Gale Anne-Hurd. A reason to rejoice for sci-fi fans.
It turns out that, in the future, robots are going to take over the earth and wage a massive war against humans, due to our being so inefficient and dirty and all. (Hey, if we're so damn inefficient, why not just leave us alone?)
So these clever robots decide the best way to kill the enemy is to destroy their leader...before he is even conceived. So by going back in time and killing his future Mommy, they'll be set. (It makes sense in the script, I swear.) So the good guys send a soldier back also to protect this poor, unsuspecting woman, then all living and holy hell breaks loose.
The assassin in question is of course, Arnie-The Terminator. He is so completely inhuman and cold; he easily gives his best performance ever. (Sorry, big man.) Unfortunately for us humans, the best defense we can offer is Michael Biehn, who's OK for a genre character actor, but come on! Michael Biehn vs. Bob Denver would probably end up a draw! Linda Hamilton plays Sarah, who's equal parts terrified, confused, horny and shrieky. (Yes, I know, she grows mega-muscles for the sequel, great.)
For fans of mindless carnage, we have a few scenes to offer you here. The shoot-up at the disco is pretty cool, but nothing comes close to what Arnold does at the police station, right after offering (for the first time ever) "I'll be back." The chases and explosions are all done well, with the music pumping and the trucks blowing up and Arnold getting all his skin burned off.
What makes it more than just an OK sci-fi movie is the surprisingly clever plot. The idea of going back in time to prevent history is quite cool, and the idea is not wasted here (or in part 2, actually.) Shame on you if you've yet to see it.
A loud, smart, sleek bad asskicker. Some movies deserve to be watched now and again, and this one falls in that pile. A well-oiled balance of sci-fi, action, brains and style. A perfect display of the kinds of characters Arnold should still be playing, and stop being a studio hack. (Was that REALLY the same guy playing the 'Ice Villain' in Batman and Robin?)
In the year of Darkness, 2029, the rulers of this planet have devised the ultimate plan. They will reshape the future by changing the past. The plan r...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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