When it was released in 1984, “The Terminator” became the newest entry into the science fiction classics hall of fame. It was universally praised for its non-stop action, consistent pacing, ground-braking special effects, and innovative storyline and plot. “The Terminator” tells the story of a cyborg assassin sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, who would give birth to a son who would save humanity from the machines.
Director James Cameron and producer Gale Anne Hurd (both also co-wrote the screenplay), achieved all of this on a shoe-string budget of $6.4 million. “The Terminator” was an immediate hit at the box office for Hemdale Film Corporation, Pacific Western Productions, Euro Film Funding, Cinema ’84, and Orion Pictures.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is perfect for the title role. His lack of method acting abilities, his mechanical delivery, and even his Austrian accent makes him a perfect AI terminator, with only about one hundred words of dialogue. “I’ll be back” has become a catch phrase in the English language.
The rest of the cast is also fantastic. Linda Hamilton was pulled from CBS-TV’s “Beauty and the Beast” for the Connor part. Michael Biehn stars as Kyle Reese, a human resistance fighter also sent back in time, but to protect Sarah Connor. Paul Winfield and Lance Henricksen portray LAPD officers, and Bill Paxton has an early appearance in his career in a small part as one of the troublemakers who confront Arnold when he arrives in 1984 at the Griffith Observatory.
Before viewing the outstanding sequels of 1991, 2003, 2009, 2015, and 2019, be sure to take a look at the very watchable original “The Terminator” on DVD.
The Terminator (1984)
cinema
My Review
When it was released in 1984, “The Terminator” became the newest entry into the science fiction classics hall of fame. It was universally praised for its non-stop action, consistent pacing, ground-braking special effects, and innovative storyline and plot. “The Terminator” tells the story of a cyborg assassin sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, who would give birth to a son who would save humanity from the machines.
Director James Cameron and producer Gale Anne Hurd (both also co-wrote the screenplay), achieved all of this on a shoe-string budget of $6.4 million. “The Terminator” was an immediate hit at the box office for Hemdale Film Corporation, Pacific Western Productions, Euro Film Funding, Cinema ’84, and Orion Pictures.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is perfect for the title role. His lack of method acting abilities, his mechanical delivery, and even his Austrian accent makes him a perfect AI terminator, with only about one hundred words of dialogue. “I’ll be back” has become a catch phrase in the English language.
The rest of the cast is also fantastic. Linda Hamilton was pulled from CBS-TV’s “Beauty and the Beast” for the Connor part. Michael Biehn stars as Kyle Reese, a human resistance fighter also sent back in time, but to protect Sarah Connor. Paul Winfield and Lance Henricksen portray LAPD officers, and Bill Paxton has an early appearance in his career in a small part as one of the troublemakers who confront Arnold when he arrives in 1984 at the Griffith Observatory.
Before viewing the outstanding sequels of 1991, 2003, 2009, 2015, and 2019, be sure to take a look at the very watchable original “The Terminator” on DVD.