Well, it's been forty years since the debut of one of cinema's most innovative sci fi thrillers, you know that low budgeted film that springboard the careers of filmmaker James Cameron and especially Arnold Schwarzenegger who is featured as the titular Cyborg assassin, so in honor of its 40th Anniversary milestone, MGM has dropped a 4K ultra high Def Blu-ray disc of this gamechanger classic and here are my opinions:
Set sometime in May of 1984, a Cyborg from a dystopian future, where machines are now the dominant "species" while the remains of humanity, is left fighting for their lives, has been dispatched into the present day, with one objective...to kill the mother of the resistance: Sarah Connor!
Listen, and understand! That Terminator is out there! It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... ever, until you are dead!
According to James Cameron, this concept had appeared to him via a fever dream, while visiting Italy. However, major influences can be attributed from various sources within media. Such as an episode from The Outer Limits, ("Soldier") Anime series such as Tatsunoko's Casshan or in the case of Comicbooks, X-Men Days of Future Past and of course Deathlok but I digress.
Despite the major influences, the rest of the Terminator’s worldbuilding seems original enough within its context. In pursuit of the Cyborg, is Kyle Reese, a soldier of the resistance led by John Conner, who has been to prevent the T 800 from committing “retroactive abortion "But can he save Sarah in time, if not prevent global destruction?
With 40 years in, The Terminator is still an exciting watch, from start to finish.
The story and pacing flows well without any lags or fillers as you are engaged in what happens to Sarah which starts off as your average day, waiting tables at a thankless gig, while going through your basic life of a young adult woman, only to enter a hellish nightmare when being stalked and pursued by an indestructible automaton!
While many see this movie from Sarah's point of view, the narrative is equally shared by Kyle's perspective as told via horrific flashbacks brought on by his experiences in a post-apocalyptic future.
Terminator has a few comedic breaks to balance out all the dramatic moments. The banter between Lt. Traxler (Paul Winfield of Gordon's War, Damnation Alley & Star Trek: Wrath of Khan) and Hal Vukovich played by veteran actor Lance Henriksen was great for laughs, albeit temporarily and of course, there’s that scene where Termy is given multiple choices when responding to a janitor.
Linda Hamilton gives a variety of performances akin to a heroine’s journey, whether it’s her vulnerability and doubt, within the first quarter of the film, or accountability and survival instincts during the latter stages.
What's defining about actor Michael Biehn's portrayal of Kyle Reese is how he became Sarah's protector, shutting off any emotions like this coping mechanism but after spending more time, with Sarah, confessed his true motivation for going back in time to save her.
Within the Terminator's bleak setting, there lies that unforeseen love story, which served as this intriguing plot twist. Of course, I would be remised had I not mention Arnold Schwarzenegger's role as the Terminator. His monosyllabic dialogue was very credible, when portraying an emotional disconnected cyborg killing machine who cleverly deceptive, as proven when impersonating Police officers or Sarah's mother after disposing of them.
It's "That guy, Dick Miller"! R.I.P.
Arnold's adlib "I'll be back" became such a huge catchphrase that it is still to this very day, repeated in the lexicon of popular culture. What I love about the Terminator, is that he has absolutely, zero fucks to give! He’s ruthless relentless, cunning and will kill anyone who gets in the way of his objective. Yet it isn’t personal for him, just an assignment he was pre-programmed for. He’s one of Sci Fi’s favorite villains along the ranks of Darth Vader but lacks the complexity or story depth in comparison to the Sith lord’s background and honestly, doesn’t need to be.
Underneath its sci fi premise, The Terminator can be compared to a nightmare-fueled horror film that displays frightening imagery, bleak atmospheric moments especially from the future, that fear element when the menacing T-800 encounter his prey be it Sarah's bff, Ginger, Matt, the precinct staff, and especially Sarah during the penultimate scene, all accompanied by Brad Fidel’s impeccable soundtrack!
It's moments like these, that demonstrates why The Terminator isn't your average Science fiction film and most of this, would not have been achieved without the talents of Stan Winston's practical effects much prior to the advent of CGI. Sure, it may seem dated nowadays, however still appreciated for what little Stan and co. had to work within the confines of a low budgeted Movie. The HK models, futuristic weaponry and makeshift vehicles, broaden Kyle's dystopic view.
As with most Science Fiction films, Cameron's classic thriller is somewhat of a cautionary tale with Man's dependence on technology i.e. A.I., can potentially cause adverse consequences if left unchecked. Skynet was a NORAD defense grid whose artificial intelligence who became aware to the extent of prejudging humanity, thus setting off a nuclear holocaust.
Automation is killing jobs and may work its way up to terminating human beings, somebody may want to keep that nutbag Elon Musk in check. Just saying.
Terminator’s popularity and influence had spawned so many rip-offs and pop cultural references, throughout films, Television, toys or videogames! It’s more than just a movie, but a phenomenon!!
The UHD transfer as with Cameron’s previous Aliens release is a noticeable improvement thanks to a superior bitrate with both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos respectively, and while this 4K transfer may point out some outdated aesthetics from practical effects at that time, it’s not off-putting in the least as the movie still holds up in both quality and immersion.
Putting Less Extras onit!
Except for the high-quality transfer, this disc is pretty much barebones. You're not given any recent bonus materials, instead, archival interviews from 20 years ago. The disc lacks any updated commentaries and that's unfortunate, especially when first adopters are paying roughly $30 mostly for the improved visuals.
Although the disc comes with a digital voucher, it’s only redeemable for Fandango’s streaming platform and not Movies Anywhere which is the go-to option for various applications. Overall, unless you're a fan of the first Terminator which to me is arguably the best out of the series, I would wait for a sale or hold onto your OG Blu ray. Think I'm "WRONG"? Feel free to invest and make the call!
