In the post-apocalyptic future, reigning tyrannical supercomputers teleport a cyborg assassin known as the "Terminator" back to 1984 to kill 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?… Expand
I can't. Nobody goes home. Nobody else comes through. It's just him - and me.
It's funny really, writing a review for The Terminator these days just feels a little pointless, I mean anyone who wanted to see it would have done so already. In truth the effects work is a little creaky now but that doesn't matter, they were awesome in 1984. It's a ripper of a story awash with high energy action, rip-snorting characterisations and tech-noir atmospherics. It's place in the pantheon of science fiction films is assured, its influence on the genre undoubted, while the lead cast members cemented themselves in the sci-fi hall of fame.
No more needs to be said really, The Terminator is a kinetic live action comic book of a movie, classy movie making, paced to precision and featuring a story that's brilliantly complex and utterly compelling. 9/10… Expand
100%
Jodie
OhJodieBaby
Created:2/18/2017
Updated:6/23/2021
Writing a review for a movie this old does indeed seem pointless, but since this is one of my favorite films I thought I would review it anyway.
In my opinion The Terminator is a beautiful, yet tragic love story set in the back drop of the future and the past. A soldier from the future is sent to the 80's to save the leader of the resistance (John Connor) mother from a High Tech Cybernetic Killing Machine. We all know that. What I loved was that this soldier, Kyle Reese volunteers for this suicide mission. He volunteers for one reason because, he had fallen in love with this woman, Sarah Connor. Though they were separated by several decades of time and Judgement Day, her son tells him these tales of his mother Sarah and gives him a single picture of her, purposefully pushing Reese to fall for his mother and this is the reason for him traveling through time to do the nearly impossible. Save and protect Sarah Connor to save the human race in the future and kill a super bad ass T-800 with low tech weaponry and a reluctant Damsel.
Bullets flying and bombs booming make this movie highly entertaining. The storyline, ridiculous as it is, is fantastic and had everyone in the 80's and 90's quoting this SciFi film. It's always a good watch. It holds up nicely overtime.… Expand
90%
Gimly
Ruuz
Created:3/19/2018
Updated:6/23/2021
I know saying this puts me in the minority, but the first _Terminator_ movie is actually my favourite of the franchise. That's not a knock on the second movie, _Judgment Day_ is **awesome**. But I really dig the lower down, dark, sci-fi horror vibe of the original (it **is** a knock on every movie in the series that came after _T2_ though).
Schwarzenegger as the titular Terminator is inspired casting. Firstly, any restrictions he had in acting ability back in the 80s are brushed aside by the fact that he's playing a cold, unfeeling machine. And can you imagine someone who looks like that coming after you? Forget the fact he's got an arsenal in his back pocket, forget the fact that he's got a near unstoppable metal exoskeleton, Arnie is already a machine! Being hunted by that man would be terrifying, and you feel that in the performance of the leads.
_The Terminator_ is one of the best movies I've ever seen, and I have seen - a lot.
_Final rating:★★★★½ - Ridiculously strong appeal. I can’t stop thinking about it._… Expand
60%
Kamurai
Kamurai
Created:7/29/2020
Updated:6/23/2021
Good watch, might watch again, and can recommend.
I have no idea what just happened, I just watched the 2020 version, and it doesn't even look better, and there doesn't seem be a lot of info on the situation.
It has decent practical effects, it's a got plenty of action in a machine chasing a woman aided by a soldier from the future.
Arnold carries an odd amount of weight as an emotionless cyborg, but Linda Hamilton shores up the rest. I don't think it is Michael Biehn's fault, but Kyle Reese is kind of a forgettable character in this.
The depth of this action movie is just on the concept of time travel, and whether or not you can truly change the future.
This is a good movie, but it lacks something really special for the time of 2020, it's more important as a precursor to the sequel.… Expand
100%
GenerationofSwine
Created:1/12/2023
Updated:1/12/2023
Here we go, the movie that started it all and wasn't Arnold believable as a robot? He came across as threatening and creepy as all get out, and the thick accent really played for the role.
And then, of course, the plot was so unbelievable that it sucked everyone right in, from the start you suspended your disbelief because you knew it was going to be one heck of a ride.
The cinematography was absolutely brilliant, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly for the first outing of the Terminator franchise and we got to see Sarah Connor transform from a frightened waitress at the start of the film, to someone that would become on of science-fiction's best known heroes by the end of it.
It was a truly fantastic film.… Expand
90%
The Movie Mob
mooney240
Created:2/11/2023
Updated:2/11/2023
**James Cameron’s first film immediately showcases his unparalleled mastery of sci-fi action films and world building making The Terminator the gold standard of sci-fi thrillers.**
The Terminator franchise has its ups and downs, but it’s hard to deny its iconic status and significant impact on pop culture. Many would pick Terminator 2 as the pinnacle of the franchise, but for me, it’s the first one. While T2 made considerable upgrades to the original in every way, The Terminator was the directorial debut of James Cameron and in his first time in the director’s chair, made a groundbreaking sci-fi masterpiece that has spawned five sequels, a tv show, video games, merchandise and so much more. The story and world established by this film are so rich and vast and a real credit to Cameron’s writing ability. However, my favorite part and the reason The Terminator holds its place as the best in the franchise for me is the character of Kyle Reese. A war-hardened marine for the future who has suffered and fought to survive his entire life travels to the past or protect Sarah Conner, the mother to the savior of humanity in the coming war. Michael Biehn’s performance is tough and heroic but carries the terror and suffering of all the years resisting the machines. He was my hero as a kid and every the namesake for my son! As important as John and Sarah Conner are to the Terminator story, Kyle Reese is its heart. The first film has dated effects (although incredible for its day) and a lower budget than its sequels, but the horror tones and fascinating characters will always make it one of my favorite films.… Expand
70%
CinemaSerf
Geronimo1967
Created:3/26/2023
Updated:3/26/2023
Arnold Schwarzenegger arrives in 1984 Los Angeles, in his birthday suit, and on a mission. Firstly, to get some clothes then to eliminate all the "Sarah Connor" folks listed in the phone book. Moments later "Kyle" (Michael Biehn) arrives with the aim of thwarting this dastardly plan - and soon the race is on. Meanwhile, "Sarah" (Linda Hamilton) is blissfully unaware that she is a target until the news bulletins start reporting the brutal slaying of her namesakes. She is spooked, and takes refuge in a night club while the city's finest head to her rescue. Thing is, Arnie is not just a big muscly bloke, he's a big muscly killing machine - and a nigh-on immortal one at that. "Kyle" and "Sarah" now have their work cut out just to stay alive while they try to concoct a plan that will destroy her nemesis before it destroys them - and pretty much everyone else it comes into contact with! Aside from the synthesiser music - which has dated quite badly - this film still holds up as a solid and entertaining sci-fi horror film. True, the script is never top of James Cameron's priorities, and here is no different, but the pace of the film and the sparing but effective use of the special effects build to quite an exciting crush-endo that is good to watch with a surprising degree of jeopardy right until the very end. Hamilton is not a very good actress, but as the momentum builds she gels well with Biehn making the whole thing well a worth a watch on a big screen even now, almost forty years on.… Expand
100%
Narate
Created:1/1/2025
Updated:1/1/2025
"_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!_"
What's there to say that hasn't been said already? It's an incredible sci-fi thriller that is so good because not only is the story fun, but Cameron makes it look so good even back then before he blew up. Arnold is terrifying, Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn were meant to be and the score gives me chills.… Expand
90%
Dr_Nostromo
Created:2/26/2026
Updated:2/26/2026
90/100
The future, being controlled by machines but losing to the human resistance, sends back a Terminator to kill the resistance leader's mother before she gives birth to him and the resistance sends back a soldier to save her. One of the classic thrillers of the 80's by newcomer James Cameron, is still just as exciting today as it was then. Arnold Schwarzenegger in his initial outing in the iconic, bad-ass role that he would never outdo. Great action, gunfights, car chases, twisted story line, all moving at a breakneck pace that will keep you glued to your seat. -- DrNostromo.com… Expand
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