| The Terminator (1984) Cast:Arnold Schwarzenegger,Michael Biehn,Linda Hamilton,Paul Winfield,Lance Henriksen,Bill Paxton,Brian Thompson Schwarzenegger stars as a hulking cyborg who is sent back to 1984 from the furure to kill a seemingly innocent woman played by Linda Hamilton in this exciting classic which became a genre landmark not because of it's action but because of it's excellent story that redefined the genre in the 80's. The Terminator in comparison to it's sequels and really the genre that it created remains the champion of the genre it inspired. However as a stand alone film this movie would be just an excellent thriller but with the sequels tacked on the movie takes shape as a mystical story. The Terminator movies ask the question can you change history by time travel and knowing what the future brings. Indeed the most interesting part of the movie is the beginning title card which explains "The battle of the future wouldn't be fought here in the future but in the present, tonight..." This of course kicks off the theory that no matter how indestructable our machines are, they are no match for fate. It's a religious message, almost. Sure the robots are being sent to deal the humans our death blow but fate dictates that even our most advanced technology can't change what is meant to happen. Comparingthis with how people buy guns to protect themselves from a would be killer and through this angle, the movie takes on fascinating levels. Also more fascinating is the cynical edge towards our technology. In which our technology has enslaved us. Something that isn't too far fetched to think about. After all, in the age of our technology aren't we very dependent on our computers, vehicles and basically everything. Indeed the story of The Terminator tells us that our technology can be used against us and indeed will enslave us because we know it's only a matter of time before another war breaks out. It's also interesting that the technology of the picture is played ruthlessly cold and efficent by Arnold Schwarzenegger who destroys a police station and never gets angry or discouraged by those around him. Other powerful scenes show Schwarzenegger trading on Linda Hamilton's weaknesses, such as her mother and anyone she would have contact with and although the ending is somewhat cynical it does have an upbeat message that technolgy can be conquered, at that the battle was won in the future. The Terminator is of course one of my favorite movies and it really is a remarkable movie.D.James Cameron**** |