Review of The Terminator (1984) by Rob S — 25 Jul 2015

This is a good science-fiction movie, and I especially like the paradox which involves the birth and existence of John Connor. Arnold Schwarzenegger is good as the titular character since his role calls for the acting skills he can provide: the acting skills needed for a robot.

The premise is simpler than I expected it to be: kill Sarah Connor to prevent the birth of a hero named John Connor. Sadly, there is not much characterization coming from Sarah Connor until the last few minutes of the movie. It is disappointing that the focus of the film is on Schwarzenegger since poor special effects make up the terminator's face once he tears his own eyeball out.

Sadly this film is nowhere on the same scale as the sequel, but I guess being made 7 years earlier, this movie was bound to have lesser special effects than the 2nd one. But it is not just the special effects; like Alien being compared to Aliens, this film just has less action due to less extras (in this case, less police) than the sequel, which makes for a less exciting adventure movie.

I didn't mind the movie, but I don't see all the fuss about why this is so iconic. I have more interest in the characters as well as the action in Judgment Day. Finally, I have to say it is really cool how The Terminator is both on the top 50 villains and top 50 heroes lists according to AFI.