Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Michael Biehn,
Linda Hamilton,
Paul Winfield,
Lance Henriksen
... see more
Endlessly imitated, The Terminator made the reputation of cowriter/director James Cameron -- who would go on to make 1997's titanic Titanic -- and solidified the stardom of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The ... read more
Directed by: James Cameron
Release Date: October 26, 1984
DVD Release Date: September 3, 1997
Stats: 28,910 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (28,910)
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December 26, 2011
In a post apocalyptic future where humanity has been made all but extinct by rebellious technology, a relentless killing machine is sent back in time to assassinate the mother of the human resistance leader who represents their only hope of salvation. The original Terminator film... read more
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October 9, 2011
Though the Sequel is far more superior, this film is still fantastic. The effects for the time still look impressive, the plot is very creative and original, the acting is great, The music is incredible, and the action is fantastic. Arnold does one of his best performances with t... read more
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August 30, 2011
A classic and I love it, but the sequel is better and this is an iconic role for Arnold, I love this film.
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July 31, 2011fb729949618This film made Arnold. It also set a huge standard for other films as far as action sequences go.
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June 28, 2011
The Terminator. Not everyone will like it, but it's a 1 in a 100 chance you'll find someone who doesn't. I don't know what was so great about the movie. The acting was good, but not great like in other movies like Forrest Gump. The dialog had some memorable moments, but nothing l... read more
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June 12, 2011
James Cameron's seminal classic reveals an apocalyptic Los Angeles torn apart by nuclear war in the year 2029. Machines headed by a network called 'Skynet' are hellbent on wiping out the human race upon becoming self-aware, however there is a human resistance led by 'John Connor'... read more
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May 30, 2011
James Cameron's classic action thriller that made Schwarzenegger a star and influenced action cinema like few other films of the 80s. While some of the effects and especially the keyboard-driven soundtrack (which also includes the fantastic and iconic main theme of course) did no... read more
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May 9, 2011
James Cameron's first official film (not counting the sequel to Piranha) is a monumental film experience. The plot is fairly simple. Cyborg sent back through time to kill the mother of the leader of a futuristic resistance that wage war against machines.But the way that it's hand... read more
Critic Reviews
An efficient, cold-blooded sci-fi splatter movie that never makes the mistake of forgetting that on some level it is deeply ridiculous. Full Review
As a souvenir of a kind of B-grade action cinema that has all but vanished, The Terminator should find a small place in the heart of every movie addict. Full Review
This is a monster movie, and the monster's role fits Mr. Schwarzenegger just fine. Full Review
The Terminator is a blazing, cinematic comic book, full of virtuoso moviemaking, terrific momentum, solid performances and a compelling story. Full Review
The movie's strength is that, like The Matrix, it combines action with ideas. Full Review
Remains a surprisingly meditative work, its concentrated visceral bursts not unlike punctuation marks among something more brooding, even prayerful. Full Review
Throughout his extraordinary, legend in his own time career, James Cameron has done very little that cannot be legitimately considered well ahead of its time. Full Review
I remain perpetually amazed by how magnificently Cameron keeps the tension up... there is not a single moment that isn't operating at 100%. Full Review
A cyberpunk picture that flirts with emotional resonance but mostly focuses on the gut...testosterone-fueled, estrogen-boosted action melodrama. Full Review
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