The Terminator (1984)

Rating: 9/10 (25 February 2020)

Directed by James Cameron. Starring Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen, Earl Boen, Bess Motta, Rick Rossovich, Dick Miller. (R)
In arguably his most iconic role, Schwarzenegger is perfectly cast as a cyborg sent back in time from a post-nuclear holocaust future to kill the mother (Hamilton) of the leader of the human resistance; Biehn is the human soldier that goes back to protect her. Pulse-pounding hybrid of science fiction, action and horror set a new standard for genre filmmaking going forward; like "Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior" before it (an influence on this film, per director Cameron), pic was made on a limited budget, but stretched the dollar for maximum stunt-and-special-effects spectacle. Effective blend of cold-blooded, hard-edged violence and surprisingly sensitive human interest; the characterizations may not be deep, and the paradoxes don't warrant scrutiny, but it's so fast-paced and well-made that such quibbles aren't worth worrying about. Major influence on the tech-noir style alongside "Blade Runner," and firmly put its young, ambitious director on the map. Bill Paxton has a bit part as a street punk. Followed by several sequels, a television spin-off, comic book series, etc.
88/100