The Terminator
1984 Directed by James Cameron
Synopsis
Your future is in his hands.
In the post-apocalyptic future, reigning tyrannical supercomputers teleport a cyborg assassin known as the "Terminator" back to 1984 to snuff Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead insurgents against 21st century mechanical hegemony. Meanwhile, the human-resistance movement dispatches a lone warrior to safeguard Sarah. Can he stop the virtually indestructible killing machine?
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There are two types of people in this world; those that prefer the relentlessness of the original Terminator and those that favour the spectacle of T2: Judgement Day. Although both are excellent films in their own right I am firmly in the former camp.
Whilst some may say that the film’s ‘80s trappings and special effects date the film (these people would be wrong, by the way) it is hard to deny that it is one lean motherfucker. There is not an inch of fat on this film, from the opening few minutes to the terror soaked finale, it is a film that refuses to let up. It also marked the last film directed by Cameron that wasn’t a little…
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Like most films, the best part in The Terminator is the scene where Bill Paxton dies. Beyond that, what's awesome about this movie is every fucking minute of it.
Remember this was back when James Cameron knew how to make movies that weren't total shit. There's absolutely nothing wasted here. Every scene is essential, every moment and conversation is crucial to the story. There's masterful work being done here when it comes to building a sense of doom. The entire film is relentless and powerful.
Not unlike the Alien franchise, there's much debate about whether this film is better than the sequel and both sides have a lot of claim to the prize. But at it's core, there can't really…
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How do you review one of the most iconic action films ever made?
Do you compliment its great script with its fantastic premise?
Do you comment on one of the best casting choices ever made?
Do you marvel at the action and special effects that simply refuse to look dated?
Do you express admiration for an incredible score?
No. You just remain silent and bow to its timeless awesomeness.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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The December Challenge: Film 31
Director - James Cameron
Writers - James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd
Cast - Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen and Earl BoenThe Terminator sets the benchmark by which all other science fiction and action films must be judged. I’ll put it out there straight away; I don’t think The Terminator is the greatest action film ever made, nor do I think it’s a flawless science-fiction film. What it is, however, is a great example of how thoughtful and intelligent both of these genres can be, and why there’s no excuse for the slurry of forgettable, mindless tripe that passes for science-fiction and action these days. The Terminator is…
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The lesson to be learned here?
If a giant weird naked guy shows up in the biker bar you're hanging out in and starts demanding clothes, you should probably assume the worst and give him some clothes before he starts treating everyone's faces like bacon.
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Tech Noir, The dark side of technology. Cameron changed the action genre in this grungy dark ferocious horror film. With the story being told constantly on the move, giving us a new and refreshing future world mythology. I personally can't think of a better directorial debut.
(James Cameron was only on Piranha 2 for less than a week despite the credit fanboys!)
"Nice night for a walk"
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I saw this one in the theaters a number of times during its initial run, with my high school friends. We were so blown away by it. We had never seen anything like it. The special effects were amazing, the action was relentless, the story was unique. In the day it was a seminal movie for me.
Fast forward 30+ years and I have to admit that it doesn't hold up all that well for me. Cameron was still learning his craft at the time and you can feel it now. His camera work in particular is just too distracting. It adds nothing to the film. And he didn't quite know how to work with the actors (although you could…
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I've got to be one of the youngest people alive who loves these movies
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Yet another of those films I probably should've seen a long time ago, this is a crazy thrill ride. Schwarzenegger's lack of acting talent proves to be more of an asset than a hindrance in this role as an emotionless cyborg.
The regular insane bursts of violence really work and it's free of the usual pacing problems that plague James Cameron films.
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Double obligatory.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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I've watched both of the Terminator movies (that are worth considering for more than a second) this week, and this is why I like the first one so much more than the second one.
Michael Biehn's Kyle Reese is a great creation. His "I came across time for you Sarah" is, whilst I'm not making "Brief Encounter" comparisons here, a superb piece of shorthand on the nature of obsessional love. After all, Reese is a completely screwed up guy. On the run from death machines from the moment he could.....run. Building a shard of humanity around a photograph. The second film doesn't really elaborate on the lives of future men, it concentrates more on Judgment Day. The terminator infiltration of…
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clever
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Filma joprojām strādā. Iespējams, ka labākā Kamerona filma, jo budžets ierobežoja viņa gigantisko ego, tāpēc sanāca tāda ļoti efektīva, disciplinēta filma.
Nezinu vai filmu speciāli restaurēja, bet šī gada Blu-ray transfērs ir vienkārši burvīgs. Varu tikai iztēloties, ka tik labi filma izskatījās tikai pirmizrādē.