It can't be bargained with, it can't be reasoned with

Rating: Null/10 (10 August 2003)

* * * * (4 out of 5)

The Terminator
Directed by: James Cameron, 1984

Tense and taut sci-fi action hit.
Tightly plotted, fast-paced and impressively put to life  all on a budget of mere $6.4m (!). That didn't stop director Cameron in re-inventing and re-energizing simple action staples like gun fights and car-chases. Cameron is at his finest here  there's a surging energy in the minimalistic violence  and his razor-sharp savvy approach to suspense and terror redefined the whole action movie genre.
Brad Fiedel's score is classic. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (career-shaping) robot is classic too, but it's Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn in the (human) lead roles that add texture and depth with some gripping performances.