The Terminator

James Cameron

1984

2.00

Synopsis

In the post-apocalyptic future, reigning tyrannical supercomputers teleport a cyborg assassin known as the "Terminator" back to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead insurgents against 21st century mechanical hegemony. Meanwhile, the human-resistance movement dispatches a lone warrior to safeguard Sarah. Can he stop the virtually indestructible killing machine?

Your Movie Library

Cast

Arnold SchwarzeneggerThe Terminator
Michael BiehnKyle Reese
Linda HamiltonSarah Connor
Lance HenriksenDetective Vukovich
Paul WinfieldLieutenant Ed Traxler
Bess MottaGinger Ventura
Rick RossovichMatt Buchanan
Earl BoenDr. Peter Silberman
Dick MillerPawnshop Clerk
Shawn ScheppsNancy

Recommendations

100
Austin Chronicle
Director James Cameron and producer Gale Anne Hurd (both of whom co-wrote the script) demonstrate their storytelling virtuosity.
100
Variety
A blazing, cinematic comic book, full of virtuoso moviemaking, terrific momentum, solid performances and a compelling story.
100
Dallas Observer
The movie's scares are intense, but the notion that the Terminator would move on to politics is even more frightening.
91
Entertainment Weekly
Kineticism and suspense, combined with strongly conceived characters....Made Cameron a talent to watch. [13 Jan 1995, p. 67]
90
Time
Plenty of tech-noir savvy to keep infidels and action fans satisfied.[26 Nov 1984, p. 105]
88
Premiere
A model of economic storytelling....It raised the bar for movie action to a bionic level. [1 Dec 2003, p.13]
80
TV Guide Magazine
An amazingly effective picture that becomes doubly impressive when one considers its small budget.
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
An efficient, cold-blooded sci-fi splatter movie that never makes the mistake of forgetting that on some level it is deeply ridiculous.

The Terminator

Synopsis

Your Movie Library

Cast

Recommendations

Loved by

Seen by