The First Terminator Is The Best Terminator.

Rating: 10/10 (27 December 2010)

Plot: A cyborg was sent to the past from a post apocalyptic future where humankind is fighting self-aware machines. His mission: the termination of Sarah Connor, the future mother of the human resistance leader. Her only hope for survival is a human soldier that was also sent back to the past to protect her.
You'll love The Terminator if: You want a very good Sci-Fi\Action\Thriller film with good characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat. What I love in The Terminator is that instead of cardboard characters that pose for the camera it has very good realistic characters that get hurt, are always very afraid and very, very vulnerable. Especially Sarah Connor is a real character that changes throughout the film and while Linda Hamilton who portrays her isn't exactly a hottie she shows us that its better to have charisma than a supermodel trying to act, something very common nowdays when it comes to female protagonists. Unlike the sequels the T-800 in this movie is ready to kill you without a second thought. If it grabs you you're dead! If he shoots at you and you aren't covered you're dead! It never stops, it never gets tired and will make you feel the tension of the characters. Finally while The Terminator has some plot holes and logic gaps, (mostly time travel paradoxes), it doesn't offend the intelligence of the viewers.
You'll hate The Terminator if: You wanted a more Sci-Fi oriented film rather than an action one or if you wanted something "louder" and with a bit of comedy thrown in. The first movie is nothing like T2 or T3 where 2/3's of the movie is all about loud explosions and slightly humorous situations. The chase scenes while very intense are simple they are just chase scenes and not a redecoration of a whole city!!! The Terminator is a way darker film where humor is non-existent when in T2 or T3 you would actually laugh with some of the scenes involving the T-800. Also while the plot is considered Science Fiction there is a greater deal of Action here than actual Sci-Fi stuff
FINAL VERDICT: Great Sci-Fi\Action\Thriller\Chase film (7.7/10)
[+] Nicely directed. Great Action\Thriller atmosphere. Wonderful acting from Hamilton who portrays a "real" evolving character.
[-] A bit slow paced at times. Not for "Hardcore" Action or Sci-Fi fans. Not a movie you'll see more than 2-3 times.
Also Check: Alien (1979) - Predator (1987) – Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) – War Of The Worlds (2005)
P.S.: My purpose in all my IMDb Reviews is not to say "I like\don't like this movie" but to help you decide whether YOU will like it or not since everything is all about taste and expectations IMO...