Review of The Terminator (1984) by Abdullah A — 02 Jul 2015

This film has its moments (all of which from Arnold), but I'm sorry, I think I am the only one who thinks that every single film critic shut down all their logic and skills when reviewing this film.

I am young, so I'm not part of the generation of fans that this film has. I went into this hearing all these great things about it and how it's an absolute classic and the 100% ratings from everywhere, so of course, my expectations were high and I was just excited as a fan of good films.

Now, I'm glad this film happened because T2 is one of my favorites and a true classic, but this film was awful. I'm not talking about the VFX or the time traveling inconsistensies - I don't really care about that.

But every aspect of this film is really just from mediocre to even less. The characters were so inconsistent and all over the place, especially Sarah Connor (and man, the line delivery timing in this is either incredibly awkward sometimes or just plan off), just like the writing and the directing.

SO many moments felt so forced (like the cliches...). There were some really dumb moments and characters, like the jump scares (the only acceptable one was the one at the end, but the Kyle one on the officer in the initial chase - WHAT?!?!), all the extras were so poorly acted (I'm not asking for great acting from them; I just don't want to notice it), every single scene was an assault on logic and sense (the character inconsistencies and logical flow of the events and the characters), and there is not enough violence to justify it as a "just fun action film", especially because it takes itself so seriously.

I wish I could go scene by scene to really support my point, because for sure, it's an unpopular one, but I doubt anyone would be willing.