19.4.10

Monday Movie: The Terminator


James Cameron's first proper film as director (charitably ignoring Piranha 2) is essentially structured as a typical serial killer film, albeit with numerous apocalyptic embellishments. But while The Terminator may revolve around Arnie's career-defining role as a relentless cyborg assassin, Michael Biehn's doe-eyed, raving performance as a fugitive from a future war is arguably more convincing; Linda Hamilton is a cut above the usual final girl; even Paul Winfield and Lance Henriksen manage memorable turns as misguided but well-meaning cops.

Yes, okay, the sequel may provide a great deal more in the way of both spectacle and humanity, but it achieves this by building on the remarkable mythology of the original. As a future history, the bleakness and intensity of this film's mechanised, post-nuclear genocide is second to none.

4 comments:

gnome said...

Think I could stand watching The Terminator one more time...

Tinker said...

After the namesake of the film becomes your state's Governator, watching it just isn't quite the same...

Pacian said...

@Gnome: Maybe even twice!

@Tinker: Ah, yeah, I forgot about that aspect! o_O

gnome said...

Nah, I also need time to watch the porn remake...