The Terminator

Name: The Terminator
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Released: October 26, 1984
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn

1984

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 1189 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 1189 Ratings

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The Terminator

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Movie Details & Credits

Orion Pictures | Release Date: October 26, 1984 | R

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn

Summary: A cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent from the 21st century to present-day Los Angeles to assassinate a seemingly innocent women whose child will play an important part in the world from which the killer came. [MGM]

Director: James Cameron

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 107 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Tom Huddleston

From the slam-bang direction to the relentless pace to the not-a-word-wasted dialogue and even the driving synth score, everything else about The Terminator just works. Read full review

100

Dallas Observer Luke Y. Thompson

The movie's scares are intense, but the notion that the Terminator would move on to politics is even more frightening.

100

Marjorie Baumgarten

Director James Cameron and producer Gale Anne Hurd (both of whom co-wrote the script) demonstrate their storytelling virtuosity. Read full review

Premiere Staff (Not Credited)

A model of economic storytelling....It raised the bar for movie action to a bionic level. [1 Dec 2003, p.13]

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

An amazingly effective picture that becomes doubly impressive when one considers its small budget. Read full review

Jay Scott

An efficient, cold-blooded sci-fi splatter movie that never makes the mistake of forgetting that on some level it is deeply ridiculous. Read full review

Janet Maslin

A B-movie with flair. Read full review

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User Reviews

timone

Jun 12, 2018

Well, ladies and gentlemen, here it is. The one you all been waiting for, The Terminator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and directed by James Cameron. And get this: my old friend Jacob Dimmock, he is a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger and I think everybody's a huge fan of him. This is the firstWell, ladies and gentlemen, here it is. The one you all been waiting for, The Terminator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and directed by James Cameron. And get this: my old friend Jacob Dimmock, he is a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger and I think everybody's a huge fan of him. This is the first film I've ever looked that has an 100% rating from critics from Rotten Tomatoes and one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's best films. You can't really go wrong. It's just unbelievable. OK, I'm going to tell you the details. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays an evil cyborg aka The Terminator sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 (the film is been released in the year 1984) to kill Sarah Connor played by Linda Hamilton before she gets pregnant to the boy who will one day become a savior against machines in a post-apocalyptic future. So he walks naked and comes across the three punks. One was played by the memorable Bill Paxton and two of them I don't know. One of them said ''Nice night for a walk.'' and ''Nothing clean, right?'' and The Terminator starts copying what he is saying and he says ''Your clothes. Give them me, now.'' and the punk leader says ''Fxxx you, axxxxxe!'' so the Terminator starts beating the punks and kills one of them by punching through his chest, pulls his fist out full of blood and holding his heart and one of them takes his clothes off and makes him wear them. I didn't know he punches through his heart at first because all I can see is a pool of blood but I think my brother had a reaction from that scene what The Terminator had just did. Then we see Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese as an soldier from the future (one possible future) sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor and the first chase scene is gripping it's dark. There's a scene where Sarah goes to the nightclub where the 80s party songs are on is a scene where she's been tracked down by The Terminator and Kyle Reese but Reese protects her from The Terminator before he kills her. I love the pacing and directing for this scene, it's unbelievably brilliant. Now the second chase scene where Kyle drives away from the cyborg Terminator and explains to Sarah that The Terminator can't be bargained with and can't be reasoned with and doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear and absolutely will not stop ever, until she is dead. Now the scene The Terminator is cleaning himself by cutting through his wrist and wipes his face and eyes but pulls his eye out and use a cloth to clean through his eye patch and as you can see Arnold looks so different when he get the cloth out of his eye and you can clearly see that his eye is an robotic cyborg skeleton. OK, there is a shootout scene after Arnold famously says his memorable favourite quote of all time that many people has impressed and blown away by is ''I'll be back.'' I bet he says that at every single movie he does. And there's a scene where the person says ''Hey, you got a dead cat in here or what?'' and The Terminator chooses the possible response choosing Yes/No or What?, Go away, Please come back later, Fxxx you, axxxxxe and Fxxx you. He chose by saying ''Fxxx you, axxxxxe.'' I even chuckled at that scene. And that it, that's the end of it. I didn't tell about The Terminator killing the wrong Sarah Connor or the ending cause I think you and the audience in the world have already know that movie by heart. Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn't talk much in this film because The Terminator is so quiet and keeps in character while filming. That's why his character is so great in this film. Linda Hamilton is great in this so is Michael Biehn and all the actors and actresses who did their fantastic portrayal in this movie. Well, guys, I guess you've all know this movie by heart and James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd did their fantastic job making this film. Even the special effects at the end looks sort of Stop-Motion-ish. I don't know, it looks like it's from the older films like Sinbad and King Kong and all the other dinosaur films. Jeez. Anyways, The Terminator is one of my favourite films of all time along with the others like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Highlander, Goldeneye, Bird On A Wire and many more. So I guess this is it then. 10/10. Favorite of all time. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BasilZero

Jul 16, 2023

One of the best movies made in all time. The suspense and horror elements were top notch. The only movie in the series (Until Salvation) that actually took the storyline or timeline serious. Very dark, very tense especially the future scenes. Great cast of characters and a great villain.One of the best movies made in all time. The suspense and horror elements were top notch. The only movie in the series (Until Salvation) that actually took the storyline or timeline serious. Very dark, very tense especially the future scenes. Great cast of characters and a great villain. Watch this movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JakeH

Jun 19, 2008

This movie was down right action packed. Arnold Schwartezennager rules!!

5 of 7 users found this helpful

bfoore90

Jul 24, 2019

In my opinion, The Terminator needs no introduction. It's classic sci-fi mixed with elements of horror with Arnold Schwarzenegger becoming a pop culture icon in a role that required little to no dialogue. Its a testament to how good low-budget films can be

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

grandpajoe6191

Sep 17, 2011

"The Terminator" is a loud,noisy action "block bluster"; pretty good CGI (considering it was 1984), solid acting from Mr. governor, a dull but appealing story. Expect fun.

9 of 10 users found this helpful91

TedDawson

Nov 6, 2019

In 1984 a movie did not have more than one storyline and a dozen script reviews plus 1 year postproduction for CGI... So my Vote is from a 1984 view...

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JaredC

Jul 2, 2007

"I am the Terminator," what agay type of movie this is. Sure some of the action scenes were pretty sweet but overall the movie totally completely sucked. Thumbs down for James Cameron.

1 of 31 users found this helpful

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