Schwarzenegger Shines in James Cameron's Breakout Film

Rating: 7/10 (14 October 2019)

What makes The Terminator work so well is the simplicity of its story, which is told so effectively. It has a straightforward and engaging narrative that is easy to follow for the audience. Given the fact that this is a science fiction story that deals with time travel, credit must be given to the well-written script from James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd.
The main cast in this movie does a great job and bring their characters to life. Arnold Schwarzenegger gives a terrific performance as the titular character, creating one of cinemas most iconic villains. His complete lack of reasoning or empathy makes him terrifying. Michael Biehn is very likeable in the role of Kyle Reese and gives it his all, while Linda Hamilton is solid in the role of Sarah Connor. Paul Winfield and Lance Hendrickson are also memorable in their small parts as a lieutenant and detective, respectively.
The movie includes some fantastic action sequences, including a shootout in a police station and most notably, a sequence which takes place in the Tech Noir nightclub, where the tension soars to fantastic heights. The action throughout the movie is gripping and violent with Brad Feidal's iconic score taking them to the next level. Feidal's music is epic and emotional when it needs to be while also evoking a sense of dread whenever the T-800 is on screen.
Despite its low budget, the film does a good job with the special effects, in particular, the few scenes that are set in the future. The T-800's prosthetic arm and the cyborg skeleton design are also magnificent. Some effects haven't dated as well as others, however. An animatronic head is used in a small number of scenes after the T-800 injures his eye, which never looks convincing and takes the viewer out of the movie.
The final action sequence in the factory doesn't have the same edge of your seat excitement as the rest of the film. This is down to the use of stop motion effects which feel jarring compared to the gritty, realistic style of the rest of the movie.
The weakest element of the film is the love story between Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese. It never feels convincing or believable, given that the characters have only known each other for a single day. The sex scene between the two characters is also incredibly awkward, with the camerawork and editing making it feel like an 80's music video.
Overall, The Terminator is a great, fast-paced action movie. It put James Cameron on the map and gave Arnie his career-defining role. While it isn't perfect, it's essential viewing for fans of science fiction cinema.