Icon SF action thriller

Rating: 10/10 (22 September 2009)

This is one of the great classics in the SF action genre (along with Alien), and a terrific example that budget and quality are remarkably unrelated. The big breakthroughs are made on tights budgets. It has a truly original concept, really well performed. I can't find any big holes in the plot like too many movies have. I can't even find small ones. Well, except for the time travel paradox of course.
The whole story is tight, extremely well planned and executed. There doesn't seem to be a single second that isn't well timed. Of course, the actors help - not a single bad performance. Not only are Hamilton and Biehn doing their parts nicely, and stone faced Arnold of course, but all the side roles are just as fine. Cameron seems to have been doing the best directing of his life.
25 years after its release, only some animations in the end feel dated (and to be frank, they were pretty bad even back then, certainly a budget problem). Today, the animations would be smoother. Let's accept that as it is. All the rest is 100%, as close to perfect that an action movie can get.
It also stands as an example that action doesn't come from numbers of bad guys. One is much better than hundreds.
What is there not to like? Again, some crude animations. And if you just don't want action you want to watch something else, certainly. There is blood, gore and violence. And if you don't like nudity there is a scene or two to skip. and you have to accept that time travel works despite that it doesn't. If you want Arnold as a hero and speaking more, this is not for you. But I don't say that as criticism to the movie, only stating what should keep some from it.