Run For Your Life

Rating: 9/10 (23 March 2008)

Director James Cameron sends Michael Biehn (as Kyle Reese) from a post-nuclear war future to destroy cyborg Arnold Schwarzenegger (as "The Terminator") before he kills Linda Hamilton (as Sarah Connor). Why? Surviving historical records of the future show one "Sarah Connor" will bear a son who will grow up and help defeat a new "race" of Earth controlling Machines. Any questions?
Director Cameron's "The Terminator" perfectly captures the look, and feel, of Los Angeles in the mid-1980s. Cameron's ability to thrillingly direct is the film's greatest strength; he mesmerizes. Mr. Biehn and Ms. Hamilton are a great hero team. Mr. Schwarzenegger is much more of a special effect than an actor, which means he is perfect in this movie. You're always going to have "flaws" in this type of film; though, note, the "time paradox" problem is explained by a quick reference to possible future realities (plural). Of more concern, story-wise, is the weakness in The Terminator's arm, early on; it doesn't quite fit the growing depiction of indestructibility. Obviously, there were some flaws in the cyborg's limbs. Whatever, "The Terminator is an exciting, stylistic triumph.
********* The Terminator (1984) James Cameron ~ Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield