Exciting early Cameron

Rating: 8/10 (8 February 2000)

This is, without a doubt, Arnie's best film. Other actors can portray other terminators, it is true-but only he can play THE Terminator! Granted, he's not the most accomplished actor in the world, but here he makes an imposing presence as an unstoppable killing machine. This is, of course, the one that made him a big star.
Likewise, it put James Cameron on the map, representing a fresh start after the universally despised "Piranha 2", which is, as of this writing, unseen by me, and likely to remain that way for a long time, which is probably for the best.
It's interesting to notice that "Terminator" cost only $6.4 million, yet Cameron wound up making the most expensive movie ever made-you know what I'm talking about! (Otherwise, where have you been the past 100 years?)
Putting all that aside, this is sci-fi action in its purest form, never letting up, moving inexorably to a terrifying conclusion! This grim picture is deeply permeated with a feel of impending doom. Watching it, you wonder if the resistance will succeed, or if humanity is destined to be wiped out by the very machines it built.
Rating: ***1/2 (out of ****)
108min/Released by Hemdale through Orion Pictures