Plot
Kyle Reese travels from 2029 to 1984 in order to stop a cyborg/human hybrid from assassinating Sarah Connor. He was sent by John Connor, Sarah’s son – as they are the key to the future of the entire planet.
Direction
One of James Cameron’s first big budget films, is well made considering the time it was released.
There is the standard action aplenty Cameron would be known for – with great use of practical effects that some of his later blockbusters lack some.
Some of them are ‘slightly’ aged – but it is still a brilliantly created film.
Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger plays The Terminator – and brings to life the ‘man machine’ that looks human, but is anything but. His historic conversations about the way the Terminator walks/talks and even moves shows just how much he understood this character.
Michael Biehn stars as Kyle Reese, who is sent from the future by John Connor to save Sarah. This would be one of his first collaborations with Cameron. He is believable as one of the survivors of a future war – (even having to sell his story to some ‘present’ day police who consider him insane at one stage).
Linda Hamilton plays Sarah Connor, who starts off the film as a sweet/innocent and pure soul who finds herself in the midst of actual war. By the end of the film she is more hardened, something that will continue on in future instalments of the film
Other cast members are Lance Henriksen and Paul Winfield who play police officers who are investigating the murders committed by The Terminator, and try to bring Sarah in to safety
Breakdown
Set in 1984, with a very distinct look and feel of the time (oh that hair), the film chops and changes between the ‘current’ 1984 – and also in Kyle’s 2029 – as he has flashbacks of his time within the war. His group, led by John Connor are on the verge of victory against Artificial Intelligent machines – and the machines fearing loss – have sent a cyborg assassin to eliminate Sarah Connor – before she becomes pregnant with John.
This sets in motion Kyle also being sent back to stop the cyborg and save Sarah (and ** ahem ** become John’s father in a rather unneeded sex scene – other than it was the 80s and the audience needed this?).
The film also begins the mythology of the company SkyNet, and how machines gained intelligence to think for themselves. Considering that at one stage the characters mention it wouldn’t be possible for such technology to happen for 40 years, and now 40 years later the real world is considering using AI for certain jobs…
This doesn’t bode well…
There are plenty of amazing action pieces, especially in a few great car chases where The Terminator and Reece shoot at each other, and then the police station shoot out too.
There are some slight pacing/timing issues – such as The Terminator’s ability to transport himself from Sarah’s apartment to the bar she’s at before the police even leave the station – but I did find the connection between Sarah and Reece quite organic – and how they grew close.
The third act showdown, in which Sarah and Reece fight the now endoskeleton Terminator is pretty incredible for the era it was made, and the explosions are well done – with the actors (obviously nowhere nearby in reality) looking like they’re really going through this ordeal.
Growing up, I watched T2 first, and I was always surprised by how innocent and pure Sarah was at the start of this film, but by the end – having survived The Terminator’s attack, losing Reece and becoming pregnant – with a promise of an unknown future, it’s no wonder she does become hardened like in later films.
Overall
Terrific start to the franchise with amazing performances by the lead three.
Some of the graphics/effects are ‘slightly’ dated, but that doesn’t take away from the rest of the film.
Near perfect in every way.
4.5/5
Please also check out my Podcast on Youtube, where we review a new movie every week! Please subscribe!
Ryan's Movie Reviews 