|
The Terminator (1984) Cert 15. Director - James Cameron. Writer - James Cameron. Starring - Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton & Michael Biehn. |
|
Premise - Two men are sent to this time from the future. A future where robots have become self-aware and are hunting humanity into extinction. One a human resistance fighter. His orders? To protect the mother of the resistance leader. The other, a seemingly unstoppable killing machine charged with killing her and the human resistance. Watching the Terminator again is like meeting an old friend whom you haven't seen in a long time. You know exactly what it's going to say and do, but you tolerate it and enjoy it because it's so good to see it again. Let's get this out of the way first. The Terminator looks and sounds quite dated. The stop-motion effects and synth sound track doesn't quite cut the mustard these days. Whilst I'm sure that they were cutting edge at the time, they just seem a bit old hat now. Whilst this might seem like a criticism it's not. Somehow these hokey effects and cheesy sounds make the film even more enjoyable. They add a kind of kitsch edge to the movie and you enjoy it all the more because of this. The Terminator is a quality movie. Cameron obviously poured his heart and soul into this project. With a shoestring budget and an unknown (at the time) cast he managed to pull off one of the best sci-fi action movies of the 80's (a genre dominated by Arnie). The masterstroke had to be the casting of Arnie as the Titular character. He IS the Terminator. I've heard people saying that he's really bad in this film, "wooden", "he hardly says anything" are the chief complaints. Rubbish, that's what I say. I think he gives a perfect performance as an inhuman robot. Shouldn't a robot move and speak with little un-needed movement/speech? A robot would conserve energy where possible to be as efficient as it can be. If this is perceived as wooden then wooden he is, bit perfectly wooden. The supporting cast are also good. Hamilton shows great development to go from sheepish waitress to Terminator ass-kicker. Whilst Biehn perfectly shows a man who is out of his own time, but has to deal with matters at hand. Keep an eye out for Cameron regulars Lance Henriksen and Bill Paxton (as well as Michael Biehn). The make-up effects by Stan Winston still hold up today. I defy anyone not to wince when The Terminator sticks that scalpel in his eye socket! Cameron as well does a top job. Showing the kind of ambition that would come to the fore in his later films (as well as his penchant for blue). This is a great Sci-Fi action film, in-fact it's one of the best. It would be a crime if this video/DVD wasn't in your collection. Get it in! |
|
8/10 for The Terminator. Poster quote - See it or be Terminated! |