Night time, wind and electricity swirl around and the appetence of a naked Anry (Arnold Schwarzenegger.) Frightening in its self but only a taste of what is to come. It seems that he is invincible and is targeting all the Sara Connors in the phone book. Each one being dispatched more violently than the last. A less robust being (Michael Biehn) also appears the same way. He too is seeking Sara.
What is so intriguing about Sara Connors (Linda Hamilton)?
Who will find her first?
What effect can the outcome have on humankind?

I thought Arnold’s accent added to the character of the movie. It is the way one says “I’ll be back” that adds the threat.


Ranks among the most influential sf films   January 15, 2006
 14 out of 18 found this review helpful

James Cameron's seminal work has a mind-bending time-travel story that withstands repeat viewings even if the effects don't anymore. Arnie is perfectly cast as the ultimate scary robot representing the dark side of man's complex relationship with science and technology and our capacity for self-destruction. Though the catchphrase 'I'll Be Back' has been used countless times, Austrian Schwarzenegger's uber-muscularity and 'otherness' has a coldness and directness of purpose that is chilling, the cultural impact of this is felt even when it is almost parodied in T2:Judgement Day. The premise of the film is simple. In the future man creates intelligent machines that take over the world and bring man close to exinction. One man, John Connor, turns the tide against them. To prevent this from happening the machines send a cyborg back in time to kill John before he is even born. Most time-travel films stretch credulity and are full of plot holes and inconsistencies - but this one has a completeness that only adds to our sense of unease that this is a possible future for us to face. The effects were stunning at the time - and all the more impressive in our CGI-driven world for their use of stop-motion animation, complex make-ups and robotics. Although they do look a bit dated now their importance should not be underestimated. Linda Hamilton is well cast as Sarah Connor and it is very interesting to watch her transformation from ordinary fluffy 80's girl into strong, capable soldier/mother haunted by her knowledge of what is to come - even more so when you watch Terminator 2 when we see the effects this knowledge has on her and her relationship with her son, not to mention the startling changes in her physique. Michael Biehn is Kyle Reece, the soldier sent to protect her. He does well as the guerilla fighter struggling to make himself understood by Sarah, his harshness gradually softening as he leaves the future behind and grows close to Sarah. The poignancy of their one love scene is not lost amongst all the action, as we realise that underneath Reece's tough exterior is a virgin who has been in love with a photograph of Sarah that has not yet been taken. When we see that photo at the end of the film and know that she was thinking about him and his death there is a sense of loss on a personal level which allows us to connect with the coming fate of the human race. Sarah knows what is to come; but Kyle - actually living in that future, does not - even though it has already happened. Cameron's vision, his intelligent script, masterful use of special effects and the visual clues to the film's underlying message (note the name of the nightclub is 'Tech Noir') are not only a precursor to his later works and his status as one of Hollywood's most influential directors - but underline his strength as a storyteller, for whom special FX, however impressive they are, are clearly only the tool with which to tell a good story. This is an essential film to have in your DVD collection


The Terminator: Menacing Cyborg Wars   November 23, 2005
 17 out of 21 found this review helpful

People had made films with robots before The Terminator and indeed films had been made where the robots had turned on mankind, but nobody had made a film quite like this before. The triumph of this film is conveying the horrifying sense that these are the things that won't die, in the nightmare that won't end. The menace of the robots or cyborgs and their absolute refusal to lie down and die will fuel your nightmares for ages after watching The Terminator for the first time.

Arnold Schwarzenegger does not have much to say in The Terminator but the things he does say are full of impact and remembered by people who have never even seen The Terminator. Expressions like “I’ll be back” are very well known and much copied, but hearing it in the context it was intended sends a shiver down your spine. This film is a fierce, relentless ride with the central characters running from a ruthless killing machine, a cyborg that has been programmed to do one thing: terminate someone who could save mankind. This cyborg kills anybody or anything without the slightest doubt that it is going to reach it’s ultimate goal. As the story progresses the pace of the film keeps on increasing until everything on screen explodes all at once.

This Ultimate Edition DVD of The Terminator is the most impressive I have seen since watching the film in the cinema twenty years ago. In fact it is better than any cinema print because it is an improved digital transfer of the film. Along with the film there are an impressive array of extra features to enjoy, making this a absolute must for all Terminator fans.