Today might be my last day on Ciao (But don't give up hope!) I would like to thank everybody for the...
Today might be my last day on Ciao (But don't give up hope!) I would like to thank everybody for their ratings and comments that encouraged me to write more. I wish I'd had the net at home so I could have made more friends on here. Watch This Space!
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In the year 2029 robots and machines have risen and are wiping out the human race. In an attempt to stop the Resistance, the machines send an indestructible cybernetic organism (Arnold Schwarzenegger) back to the year 1984 to kill the leader's mother (Linda Hamilton) before he has even been conceived. The Resistance learn of this and in a desperate move to stop their leader from being terminated, send Lt. Kyle Reese (Michael Beihn) to protect Sarah Connor at all costs!
The entrance of the terminator is dramatic, with electricity flying everywhere and rubbish being blown across the floor. he arrives naked as only living matter can pass through time. Reese also appears in the same style, except that he is human and so falls to the ground injuring himself, showing the difference between the two enemies. It then becomes a race to find Sarah, the Terminator is slowed down by the fact that he has no idea where she is, only her name. And so has to go through the phonebook until he finds the correct woman. Reese however
has a photograph of her but can't find her whereabouts. The tension mounts as they both get close to the target....
I won't ruin the film for those of you that haven't seen this amazing film yet, so I'll just say that the rest of the film consists of car chases, gun fights, a police station being infiltrated and a tanker! It's almost non-stop action and really gets your pulse going!
Originally, Arnold Schwarzenegger was giving the role of Kyle Reese, the hero of the film. But after much discussion with the Director (James Cameron) it was decided that he could play a much better role as the Terminator (The lead role and star of the film). This was the best move he ever done as it was a massive success and showed off the muscular giants acting talents. He spent a lot of time perfecting his movements to look like a menacing machine. His eyes move before his head to portray a surveillance camera and he twists his body round before turning. Never does he smile or have any other expression except a blank face with no emotion. Everything about the Terminator is excellent and very convincing and nobody else could have pulled it off. Even his voice (though he only says around 160 words) is with no emotion and sends a shiver down my spine! This is the film that Arnie's famous catch phrase originated, "I'll be back!" When he says it, you know that he WILL be back!
Michael Biehn plays the best part he has ever done (I think anyway...) as Reese. At times he really does look like he is lost and doesn't belong. An excellent performance through the entire film.
Linda Hamilton also plays a great part as Sarah Connor, a feeble waitress with nothing going for her. She soon toughens up towards the end which begins her character change for the next film. Linda plays the part like it was made for her and you really feel for her as she is so weak at the start but the Terminator is so strong
James Cameron is the brains behind the whole film. He had a dream of a robot rising out of rubble of fire, and wrote the whole film from the image. Not only did he write the film, but he designed the Terminator's insides and the other machines briefly seen throughout. He is also the Director and does a magnificent job of getting the plot out without slowing the film down. For example, While Reese explains who is to Sarah; they are being chased by police and the Terminator. Keeping the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the whole film! There are also some deleted scenes and original artwork. A just lovely package!
Spoiler alert!! (Do not read if you haven't seen the film yet!) The DVD extras are a wonderful insight to how the film was made. This includes explanations of how low the budget was and how they had to use simple techniques to get amazing results. For example, at the end where you see the crushed remains of the Terminator, they explain that it was a piece of foil with an LED and cigarette smoke close to the camera, who would have guessed that?! And the best bit is seeing the scale model of the tanker that explodes; I never knew that it was a model until I watched this! The attention to detail is just superb and is what makes the film what it is.
(End of Spoiler!)
Overall: 100% The best film ever made? I think it is! Great action and actor performances with a strong plot and great pace. Will chill you to the bone watch the Terminator Kill Sarah's flat mate and her fella! A must see and an excellent DVD with the best extras relevant to the film! Buy this if you have any sense!!! I highly recommend it!
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Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Another brilliant review !! I still remember the first time I watched this, and how impressed I was with it - that excitement still holds true after all this time. Generally reviews with spoilers don't go down too well, but you gave advance warning, (and I'd already seen it loads of times !!). Scott
The Terminatorwas the film that cemented Arnold Schwarzenegger's place in the action-brawn ... more
firmament, and both his and the movie's subsequent iconic status are well deserved. He's chilling as the futuristic cyborg that kills without fear, without love,...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
In this blazing sci-fi classic, Arnold Schwarzenegger is perfectly cast as the fiercest ... more
and most relentless killing machine ever to threaten the survival of mankind! From the Oscar winning director of 'Titanic' this fast-paced, cleverly conceived, rip ...
Advantages: the best film ever? on a a great DVD?! you're damn right its true Disadvantages: the original 1984 subtitles do not appear at the beginning
Advantages: Uncommonly good storyline for an action film, super special effects, imaginative design, excellent value DVD Disadvantages: Many won't enjoy it for its occasionally-graphic violence
tom1clare 07.03.2004 (10.03.2004)
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Review of Terminator
![The Terminator (Two Disc Special Edition) [DVD] [1985]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78529423.jpg "The Terminator (Two Disc Special Edition) [DVD] [1985]")
![The Terminator [Special Edition]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/99374436.jpg "The Terminator [Special Edition]")
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