Movies-TV

FANTASTIC SCI-FI MOVIE

I saw this movie when it came out in 1984 when I was a teenager. I thought it was a great movie then and it is still a great movie. It doesn't seem dated at all.
The movie is about a humanlike (cyborg) killing machine from the future that comes back to 1984 to kill a young woman before she gives birth to a boy who will be a leader in the future. A man from the future also comes back to try and save her from the Terminator.
The movie has a great story to it. It has a very dark and moody atmosphere to it mainly because of the perfect music that goes along with the movie. The plot line will really make you think all the way through. A very smart film. You will be on the edge of your seat all the way through with very few scenes to catch your breath.
The acting in it is superb. Arnold makes the perfect Terminator. Michael Biehn and Linda Hamilton have excellent chemistry together.
The special effects are very nice. Especially when you consider that computer graphics were not used back when this movie came out. The effects are very realistic and you will never say anything looks fake. You will probably be surprised when you watch the documentary. The effects don't seem at all dated like some movies during that time.
One of the main things that attracted me to this dvd is that they remixed the soundtrack to support 5.1 digital surround sound. It was originally in mono. It sounds awesome! I have seen quite a few action, sci-fi movies that have great multi-channel sound and this movie sounds the best so far. From the spaceships in the future to the machine gun fire, it totally surrounds you! Fantastic!
The extras including two documentaries and deleted scenes are worth the price of admission alone. Some very interesting facts about the movie that will make you say, "that's how they did that?!".
If you were too young when it came out at the theater or you have seen it on t.v. where it is edited to death you need this dvd. Especially if you have a 5.1 surround system, this is a must have for your collection. This movie is as fresh as it was in the mid 80's and will be fresh thirty years from now. A true classic sci-fi movie.

One of the all time best science horror pictures.

For those who have read other reviews by yours truly, this will be review, but I divide science fiction into three categories: true science fiction, science fantasy, and science horror. Often, science horror could be called true science fiction, because it is based on what could happen. However, true science fiction is focused more on the possibilities and human reaction, while the purpose of a science horror movie is to terrify you. This movie will terrify you.

This movie does an excellent job with its twists and turns in the plot; you will jump at least once by the time the movie is over. Schwarzenegger is excellent as the villain, and Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn turn in good performances. It also has a small role by Beth Motta, who I remember as being an exercise instructor for 20 Minute workout, an exercise program.

One challenge in science fiction is dealing with time travel into the past. This successfully achieves that goal.

I would recommend this movie.

a classic

***SPOILERS INSIDE***When i first saw this movie i was about 6 years old, and although it did not really understand what was going on in the movie it sure did impress me. Well being 24 now and seeing the movie for many times i can only say it's a classic. As with a lot of action/sci-fi movies the story is not all to great.. It got some big plot holes in it, the biggest one being that Reese is John Conners father. But i think people who complain about the story and think about it to deeply don't understand the movie. This movie does not try to tell a great story, this movies tries to give you action and the tension of being hunted by an unstoppable killing machine. And it delivers just that. The dark mood in this movie makes it all a little more tensive then it's sequels which rely more on action then on tension.I hear and read some people complain that the effects in the movie are looking old an dated.. What do they expect, of course they look out of date for todays standard, the movie is from 1984 you can not compare it with todays special effects. But for an early 80's low budget movie this film looks great and the special effect were really well done. And it sure got memorable moments, and i am not talking about the line "All be back" but who can ever forget the scene with the eye, or seeing the terminator skeleton for the first time.All in all this movie is one of the best movie of the 80's and in my opinion of all time. It's a true classic and created a legend, a must see for all action, sci-fi and of course Arnold fans.9.5 out of 10.0

Excellent movie, but.....................

I saw this movie for the first time back in 1987 (3 years after it came out), and I was blown away by the special effects and all that. But I look at it now, and I can tell how old it is. If you watch Terminator 2 before this, DO NOT expect this to be as good as part 2. Terminator 2 is alot better than this one, and the special effects look clean even 12 years later. Still, its a must see for all Terminator fans.

Terminator for the sci-fi action fanatic

For those who haven't seen it yet, the first Terminator movie is an awesome thriller about a rampant cyborg sent to terminate Sarah Conner.

It's a classic movie story that so many people remember. A mysterious cyborg is sent 40 years into the past to kill Sarah Conner. Sarah is the mother of John Conner, the future leader of humans who would lead the revolution against the evil robot empire of DynaNet in the future. Kyle, one of the revolution soldiers, is sent 40 years in the past to protect Sarah.

It's an awfully simple plot, and the Terminator, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a mindless killing machine who can smash his hands through windows, crush bones and shoot shotguns and machine-guns from motorcycles. "The Terminator" is pretty intense, with guns and explosions peppered through the movie.

This is a memorable film for Sarah Conner actor Linda Hamilton, who would later play the futuristic law enforcer, Robocop. And the love story is surprisingly compassionate. While we've all seen the masochistic male terrorist with weapons of mass destruction many times before, this is one of the first films in which the heavy-duty robotics to help humans in the post-modern world turns against humans to apparently start a wicked apocalypse.

Michael Biehn also does a splendid job as Kyle Reese, the no-holds-barred guy who provides most of the dialogue. Ladies will no doubt swoon when they see his steamy sex scene with Sarah. And his flashbacks (or flash forwards?) of his life in the future are pretty dramatic, portraying a post-war slum world of burning oil drums, filthy streets and starving humans.

Of course, director James Cameron was probably better known for that film with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the one of the corniest romances ever made in the history of cinema. But "The Terminator" was a great start, with minimalist special effects and hard-hitting drama. And yes, the animatronic robot in the end sequence is somewhat primitive nowadays, but he still is pretty damn scary.

Brilliant!!!

I have seen this film hundreds of times and I still think it's great. It has great special effects ( for its age) and a great story. I love it.

Doesn't get any better

T2 was good, but T1 was better. I remember seeing this on a big screen when it first was released. My buddy had no idea about what the movie was going to be and both he and I were knocked out. All T2 was was to some extent "more of the same". But for true movie thrills and excitement, T1 gets my vote.

this is cool

terminater or however you spell it is cool but gorie the most gorieest part is when he cuts his eye ball my mom closed her eyes

when he did that and i didi'nt and i'm 7

Good but bad effects bring it down a star.

As we all know, this is the film that cemented Schwarzenegger's spot in the action-brawn firmament, and it was well deserved. He's chilling as the futuristic cyborg who kills without fear, without love, without mercy. James Cameron's story and direction are pared to the bone and all the more creepy. The Terminator robots are pretty cool looking, and the fact that this film causes you to think. Yes there are alot of explosions and a sex scene, but this film doesn't insult your intelligence. If you're going to buy this, get the MUCH BETTER sequel Terminator II: Judgement Day.

Another great movie...

I remember watching Terminator the first time when i was really young and i really didn't understand what was happening. Now that i'm older and the Special Edition Terminator is out. I watched this movie last night and now it completed the whole story i was missing from Terminator 2. Which I have watched a Million times. Anyways. (...)

The best of the best movies ever on the planet, galaxy & the entire universe

The Terminator simply has to be my number 1 favourite movie of all time. When the first time I saw the film I fell in love with it about 15 years ago. The truly original idea of the story-line is amazing about a cyborg is sent from the future on a deadly mission. He has to kill Sarah Connor, a young woman whose life will have a great significance in years to come. Sarah has only one protector - Kyle Reese - also sent from the future. The Terminator uses his exceptional intelligence and strength to find Sarah. The movie was emotionally & psychologically thrilling and made so dark & sinister that give the tensive mood for the film. A well made for 80's film and I was surprised when I heard that it made with a budget of $6.4 million because it looks more expensive e.g. the nuclear war in Los Angeles 2029. I loved every second of it and the best scenes are:1. When the terminator killed Ginger & her boyfriend.2. Shootout at the nightclub (A classic scene in film history).3. Self surgery on his wrist & eye.4. Shootout at the police station.5. When the terminator was driving the lorry.6. When he unexpectedly rose from the fire as an endoskeleton after that it was a nail biting experience to the end.The line "I'll be back" is simply the best quote for any film because the audience never expected his position of coming back. Although it is on the IMDb top 250 but it should have been No 1 top place because I have never seen a better movie than this. I've seen it about 100 times and I'm still not fed up. The Terminator gave me the passion about films and my verdict is 1000, 000/10. It's nearly about 25 years old and people still watch it. The 80's was the best decade for movies e.g. An American Werewolf in London, Gremlins, A Nightmare in Elm Street & Predator, the list is endless. Anyway no matter whatever happens there will never be a better film than The Terminator.

Those men and their killing machines.

My Take: Revolutionary for its storytelling and influences to the genre. Highly regarded as one of the best sci-fi films of all time, James Cameron's brainchild THE TERMINATOR, released in 1984, has severely suffered a sort of dated feel. Suffering in comparison to the ever-advancing technology, the special effects and make-up have dated real badly from the low-tech technology available at the 80's to today. But in its heart, THE TERMINATOR still holds true with its story and anti-war message that still holds truth and never is too preachy, in fact not at all. THE TERMINATOR may not be the place to locate revolutionary special effects and action scenes, but it's in the writing department where the true heart of the film lies, as is its success. Arnold Schwarzenegger is still one of the creepiest bad guys around as the cold, emotionless cyborg from the violent future sen back to modern 1984 to kill a woman (Linda Hamilton) who will spawn a son who will lead humanity against a rebellion against war-machines in a futuristic war. Michael Biehn has gone surprisingly out of steam as a hero, so is Hamilton's character who rarely does anything more than play second-bananas. But THE TERMINATOR still holds a story and some key moments to hold its audiences. In other words, it still is a classic remnant of its age, an age where writing goes first above effects and star players.Rating: **** out of 5.

Killing machine will get you!

Arnord's first really good movie and Cameron's firs classic.
Linda Hamilton is a perfect choice for Sarah Conner's shoes.
At the beginning of the film she is like anyone young woman,
who has a job and she likes to have fun with her frieds. Something changes when terminator finds her and try to kill.
She have to escape, if she wants to live. At the end of the film she fights agaings terminator and finally beat it. Kyle Reese has a vital part of this film because he protects Sarah Conner and will be her unborn child father. This enjoyable action movíe! Arnord acts like a robot and kills like soldier.
He don't care about anybody expect his mission to kill Sarah Conner. This film provides something for anyone: kids like to see great action, woman loves to see Sarah and Kyle's romance, man likes car driving situations and elder peolle will enjoy a fine sript.

This is what happens when the future meets the past

You get a very interesting Horror/sci-fi film that stamped James Camron, and Arnold Schwarzenegger around the world.


This movie is about Sarah Conor(Linda Hamilton) who's unborn son will be the turning point of the war with the machines. But the machines refuse to go out like some chumps. They send a rithless machine, the T-model 101(Arnold Schwarzenegger to waste her like a coke can. This is the only time you'll see Arnold as a ruthless mo'fo but it's undeniebly an unforgettable performance. But the humans send one of their own, a human who knows the situation. Cyle Reese (Michael Biehn) is sent to protect her, but the million dollar question is, can they do it, or will they be ruthlessly slaughtered by the heartless machine.

The one thing I like about this film, is the fear it presents. It seems nothing that Cyle and Sarah do can stop him, not even a police force of 30 men with shotguns and assult rifles even stalled this baaaaad dude. It makes the Terminator feel almost invincible. Even the dated special effects at the end, where the terminator looked fake, made him look scary. If he moved realistic, I dunno, but with him moving fake, accually mad him look scarier.

Arnold in this one is the scariest out of the terminators, because the protagonist wasn't a machine, but a human. T-1000 is the best because liquid metal seemed nearly indutuctable. The T-X is just, well T3 shouldn't have even been made. I mean T3 made the hairstyles on the wemon in this film look sexy(Well maybe)

James Camron's carrer was made, and Arnold's carrer skyrocketed way up. This may have been low budgeted, but high hearted. This film is second to the clerverly made sequal that continued the plot so flawlessly, and this film makes T3 look like junk. Anyone who loves sci-fi or horror, go check this out. Anyone who saw T2 but not this, need to check out the begininer.

peace

Still Arnold's best

I've seen every Arnold film, and this is still my favorite. Groundbreaking story and makeup effects. Vivid music score. Satisfying performances.Arnold is the T-800, a cyborg sent back in time to kill the future mother of an important war figure. Kyle Reese was also sent back in time, to stop the T-800!!Many people love the even greater effects of the sequel and enjoy that one more. But I believe sometimes less is more, and this being such a fresh story is unbeatable.I'm looking very forward to Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines this July.I'll Be Back!***1/2/****

Classic 80's sci-fi thriller

The Terminator is a viscerally enjoyable film that is filled with heart-thumping suspense and pure adrenaline rush. A small but witty sci-fi flick has now been regarded as one of the best movies in its genre. This creation stemmed from the minds of genius director, James Cameron who concocted a taut tale of time travel of a future terminator brought back in time to kill a woman destined to bear the unborn who would battle the future.The minimal acting of Schwarzenegger was an inspired piece of casting for the unstoppable killing machine. Cameron concocted a taut tale of suspense. The terminator is an efficient killing machine, devoid of emotion and interested only in one end, the death of his target.With a relatively low budget, Cameron squeezes out the most by providing jarring action sequences such as the Police station assault and final climatic showdown starting with the chase. The special effects were amazing for this scale and Stan Winston's endoskeleton revelation at the end is cinematic glory. The musical score works within the action providing an eerie feel, though 80ish it was relevant at that time.A movie for serious sci-fi lovers of gut-wrenching violence and non-stop action, the Terminator is staple sci-fi masterpiece.

THE PITS!

This was the worst movie ever. It's not as bloody as the 2nd. Too boring

"Sarah Connor?" "Yes?" (gunshot)

In one of the greatest sci-fi action movies of all time, this amazing film was a breakthrough in cinematic history. Brilliant small-time director James Cameron became a hot property with his highly original screenplay and masterful directing in "The Terminator." It also brought a somewhat known, former bodybuilder champion Arnold Schwarzenegger into the ultimate action hero and brought him A-list status. This film is pure genius!

In the year 2029, the world is rural wasteland. The machines, ruled by super-computer Skynet, has taken over. The human resistance, led by the brave John Connor, rallies the rest of civilization to go up against the machines. They win after a hard fought war. To change the past, Skynet sends an "indestructible" cyborg, the Terminator(Schwarzenegger) back through time to Los Angeles 1984 to assassinate Sarah Connor(Linda Hamilton), John's mother, to prevent her unborn son from saving mankind. The resistance intercepts by sending one of their own, soldier Kyle Reese, back through time to protect Sarah from the unstoppable Terminator, who feels no pity, remorse, or fear.

I love Arnold. His "I'll be back" line is the greatest, or one of, movie line in history. His best role ever doesn't have that many lines, but his demeanor, fiercing look and powerful screen presence makes him the perfect choice for the Terminator. Michael Biehn(Kyle) and Hamilton also give great performances whose characters onscreen can't help but love each other and fear the cybernatic organism after them. Director Cameron, who would go on on to make "Titanic" and "T2", balances great innovative special effects(a bit primitive nowadays) and fine action sequences.

The DVD ain't too shabby either. It has a good picture and new digital sound transfer, documentaries, deleted scenes, trailers and storyboards!

"I'll Be Back"

James Cameron broke through the Hollywood unknowns with this lower-budget sci-fi tale of a cyborg traveling back in time to assassinate the mother of the future leader of the machine resistance. Linda Hamilton gives a stand-out, career-making performance as Arnold Schwarzenegger skyrocketed to fame following this classic.

Arnie's best

This film is a sci-fi classic. The story is about time lines and how one event affects another. This film is great. I like the idea of the machines and if you watch closely, one sees Arnold's movements become mechanical, especially in the bar scene. I heard the idea came from and old Outer Limits episode, from the early 60's, starring Lenord Neymod (Spock) as the robot. In the end, the circle is complete and the flashbacks, or flash forward melt into the present. This film is a classic, and watch for the cameo appearance of Bill Paxton.