The Terminator series is one of my favourites. Not only is it a cool movie with lots of action, it is also a thought provoking idea. What if our increasing reliance on technology worked against us, instead of for us? Add an iconic character (the only fictional character to be in the Hall of Fame as both the hero and villain), and a blockbuster is born. Also, on a personal note, a highlight for me was when I got to meet Michael Biehn 🙂
The Terminator
Released: 1984
Directed by: James Cameron
Written by: James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd (and ‘inspired’ by Harlen Ellison – see video at bottom of this post)
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn
Plot: In the Year of Darkness, 2029, the rulers of this planet devised the ultimate plan. They would reshape the Future by changing the Past. The plan required something that felt no pity. No pain. No fear. Something unstoppable. They created ‘THE TERMINATOR’.
For: The ultimate sci-fi action movie? If not then definitely up there. Action, romance, thought provoking story, this film has it all. And a standout performance by Arnold.
Against: The music sucks, but that’s all I can think of for Against 🙂
Favourite Scene: The nightclub, the assault on the police station, & the gun shop – ‘Hey, only what you see pal!’
Rating: 5 Lukes
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Released: 1991
Directed by: James Cameron
Written by: James Cameron, William Wisher Jnr
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong
Plot: The same model of cyborg that once tried to kill Sarah Connor arrives in the present with a new mission – protect Sarah’s teenage son, John Connor, from an even more powerful and advanced Terminator.
For: Practically a remake of the first film, T2 ups the stakes with the introduction of the awesome T-1000, and putting the young future leader of the Resistance in jeopardy. Great action and story, and Linda Hamilton gives it her all as the nearly psychotic Sarah.
Against: The comedy bits are hit and miss.
Favourite Scene: The T-800 gets new clothes, the chase down the canals, everything at the Mall, everything at Cyberdyne.
Rating: 5 Lukes
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Released: 2003
Directed by: Johnathan Mostow
Written by: John D Brancato, Michael Ferris, Tedi Sarafian
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Claire Danes, Kristanna Loken
Plot: John Connor is now in his 20’s, and a new model terminator, the T-X, is after him. Another model similar to the one from T2 is sent back through time to protect John once again on the verge of the rise of the machines.
For: The new terminator is quite cool, the deleted scene showing the military inspecting the terminators is hilarious, and the end sequence showing the rise of the machines is well done.
Against: Nick Stahl can’t act. The inflatable boobs bit is terrible. Not very exciting.
Favourite Scene: The deleted scene showing the military inspecting the terminators.
Rating: 2.5 Lukes
Terminator: Salvation
Released: 2009
Directed by: McG
Written by: John D Brancato, Michael Ferris
Starring: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood
Plot: After Skynet has destroyed much of humanity in a nuclear holocaust, a group of survivors led by John Connor struggles to keep the machines from finishing the job.
For: Christian Bale is good. The CGI Arnie model terminator scene is well done. Good to finally see the future war.
Against: Sam Worthington is the most over-rated actor in Hollywood, his character is pointless, and he can’t act. Most of humanity has been wiped out by nuclear war, yet they all look quite healthy and there doesn’t appear to be any fallout. The terminator bikes are stupid. The idea of mobile terminators is fine, but why build them with the capability to be used by a human (by having handle bars)?
Favourite Scene: The T-800 model terminator
Rating: 2.5 Lukes
Special extra bit – see the alleged true story of the origins of the Terminator:
