The movie that inspired "The matrix"

Rating: Null/10 (15 July 2003)

Every big fan of the "Terminator" saga knows that this movie helped inspire popular movies like the matrix, which is why this movie is so good. Back in 1984, James Cameron's "The Terminator" brought a unique approach to the science-fiction genre with this original popcorn action/sci-fi flick. This movie has long since reached the status of a cult classic as well as it's follower, "T2 : Judgment Day". It's probably a little too soon to be calling "T3 : Rise of the machines" a classic. I hope it'll become one in the near future. Even though both these sequels are excellent, "The Terminator" has some sort of class unseen in the sequels.
Here are a few good things about "The Terminator" :
1. THE STORY Unseen before in previous movies. The future calls for help in the past. A warrior is sent to protect a woman to assure the safety of humanity in the far future.
2. THE SPECIAL EFFECTS Stan "The man" Winston is visually creative with all those unbelievable effects he presented in the movie : 1) The scenes of an apocalyptic world 2) The terminator operates on himself 3) The killing machine walking down the street.
3. THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT Sarah Connor (played by Linda Hamilton) goes from a naive waitress to a very strong woman (as seen in T2) and Kyle Reese (played by Michael Biehn) is not your ordinary type of hero. He's also strong an never quits believing in freedom and the end of the war against the machines. Sarah and Kyle eventually fall in love. Finally, the terminator (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a perfect predator and villain who hasn't been played so well by other actors.
4. THE SCRIPT AND DIRECTION I personaly think that James Cameron is a sci-fi genius (as seen in "Aliens", "The Abyss" and "T2"). In this picture (actually his first), Cameron wrote an original screenplay and directed it as a movie, bringing a very dark approach to the sci-fi genre and crafting a world of terror where machines control humans. He also wrote funny unforgettable one liners like "I'll be back". This is indeed his best picture.
5. THE VIOLENCE/GORE is wisely used to show off a darker aspect of terror and being in danger. Without the violence, it's uncertain if "The Terminator" would be as good.
These five things are pretty hard to describe because everyone feels different about something. This is how I feel about this movie. It's a fun ride to hell where you'll be kept on the edge of your seat as the plot unfolds the terrible destiny awaiting humanity.
The cast and crew did a great job on this movie. Big Arnold is frightening, Linda is gorgeous and Michael is unbelievably good. Here's a piece of James Cameron's imagination. I hope everyone can find something they like in this movie no matter what genre you're interested in. Watch this movie again and again and again. It's the kind that gets better and better. I rate it a great big 10.