100% classic stuff.

Rating: 9/10 (20 December 2004)

The Terminator has everything - action, romance, slight humour and a brilliant storyline. The reason the story line is so good, is because unlike a lot of films these days, this film could become a reality. The idea of machines and computers taking over our world is a definite possibility, as they will indeed become cleverer than us. (fact)
But getting back to the film, the special effects are what most caught my eye. Indeed, by todays standards using stop motion animation (plasticine models moved one frame at a time) is dated, but I feel this made the film seem scarier some how. Just seeing the T-101 's endoskeleton walking down the corridor at the cyberdyne factory sends shivers down my spine, because the animation looks so scary - a brilliant piece of directing by James Cameron. This is were Terminator 3 failed, because the CGI (computer generated images) just isn't scary. One things for sure, you can't beat hand produced special effects, and Stan Winston has done a stunning job. in both T1 and T2.
Of course, this film has some great acting in it as well. Micheal Biehn does a good job of not being able to adapt to 1984. What I like is the good choice of actors. Neither the character Kyle Reese or Sarah Connor are absolute superstars that have glamorous looks, and thats why Cameron chose them. He made us see how the character of Sarah Connor could have happened to any one. (providing they have an unborn son, as you'll see in the film)And as Sarah keeps asking herself in the film "why me?" Cameron doesn't need to unravel an answer, but suggests that she is just a normal citizen, who has been given this terrible ordeal. But in kyle Reese's (Micheal Biehn) eye, she is very important.
Cameron uses some good directing techniques, especially with the music. The theme tune has a simple electronic style to it, but it stays in you head for ages! But for a low budget movie, music composer Brad Fiedel does a great job, mixing tension, with classic piano music in the scene were Sarah and kyle spend a bit of time 'in bed'. The piano music immediately reminded me of the piano music used in Titanic. So it seems Cameron hasn't lost his touch for music.
By the 2 disc special edition DVD to get extra features, including commentary, trailers, 'the making of T1' and some deleted scenes, which I have been puzzled why there were deleted. One shows some FBI or special agents removing the terminators main chip right at the end, and slips it inot his pocket, explaining how it got to the cyberdyne factory in T2.
You really can't fault this film. For a low budget film, its been put together simply and the outcome is great.