LogFAQs > #913357764

#11 - The Terminator (1984)
Genny - 4
Inviso - 7
Scarlet - 8
Charon - 14
Stifled - 14
KBM - 15
Karo - 17
Snake - 19
Johnbobb - 23
JONA - 23
Wickle - 28
Total: 172

"I feel like The Terminator is objective best movie in its series. Though this doesn't necessarily make it my favorite, it is a solid enough film that it does make me question it (unlike Alien vs. Aliens where the answer is obvious)." ~Genny

"What is there to say about The Terminator that hasnt been said countless times by countless critics and analysts over the years? This is just an extremely strong time-travel sci-fi movie. I like the fact that the two time travelers (Reese and the Terminator itself) are introduced in such a strange and unexpected fashion. And were also introduced to their character via actions. The Terminator walks up to the street punks and rips out one of their hearts to get some clothes; Reese runs from the cops and has to be far subtler in his approach. It really highlights the David and Goliath nature of their rivalry. Meanwhile, we then get introduced to Sarah Connor, living just a normal, uneventful life until she finds out that two other Sarah Connors were killed, and starts to panic. The rest of the film is her trying to reconcile her role in not just this time traveler battle, but also in the salvation of the future. Its just a tight, well-paced story, and I think the writers did a good job of making Sarah the audience stand-in, so Reeses explanations and world-building work all the better." ~Inviso

"What It Is: Michael Biehn must save Sarah Connor when Kenny Omega comes a-callin', or else she will not be able to give birth to the most important figure of the 21st century... Chuck Bartowski.

Why It Matters: It kicked off one of the most well-known franchises in cinematic history, and it firmly started Arnie's career.

What I Think: It's awesome. For a film without much heft to it, it handles everything with a measured sense of pacing and suspense, keeping everything taut and maintaining a high level of stakes throughout. Everything feels like it matters in this film, and Michael Biehn does an admirable job of passing off the torch of badassery to Linda Hamilton near the end. Of course, the non-performance by Arnie is excellent. He clearly knows that he can't act, so doing nothing in a movie is a great career move. I really could give this a better write-up, but I feel like everyone else will say why this is a great little piece of sci fi history, and I'd rather get back to watching this episode of The Good Doctor than add sentences to something no one is going to read anyways." ~scarlet

"Though outshined by the sequel, the original is still an important and well-crafted classic. The twist with John sending his own father back in time to impregnate his mother is rather interesting, and it's too bad Kyle Reese didn't make it through the film because I quite liked him as a character. Then again, he will be born again... gotta love time travel. Anyway, even though Arnold didn't invent the role of unstoppable, cybernetic killing machine he plays it so efficiently that you'd think he did. I still feel like he makes a better protagonist, but it's hard to deny how imposing of a force he is in this movie. Not to mention his always quotable repertoire of one-liners." ~Charon
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"It is too easy being monsters. Let us try to be human." ~Victor Frankenstein, Penny Dreadful