With a very modest budget, The Terminator remains one of the most exciting and creative action films ever made. A non-stop chase with unrelenting suspense, black humor and first look at James Cameron’s post-apocalyptic future. On top of that, this one looks simple in its execution. The excitement comes from ideas that for the most part you could do at home with a few stunt guys and some pyro. For all the resources Cameron had for the sequel, this is a better film cause it’s free of the bloat and importance.
The tension remains high through a healthy sound mix of industrial noise. Even while Michael Biehn has to deliver a ton of exposition, it’s done while in flight, so there’s tire screeching, guns blasting, cars crashing and glass smashing. This must be the record for the greatest amount of momentum-killing dialogue that never actually kills the momentum.
Here is the Terminator as it was first designed. Without fear or feelings, it kills in broad daylight. It doesn’t get frustrated when Sarah Connor escapes, it just gets up and resumes the chase. With his impressive size and unsympathetic attitude, Schwarzenegger makes the Terminator into one of the greatest villains of all time. Cameron manages to make him funny as well. The limited dialogue brings some memorable lines including “I’ll be back”, which is great when seen in its proper context. (I also love the roommate’s answering machine message which ironically says “Ha, ha. You’re talking to a machine.”)
The Terminator can’t hide its low budget in spots, but that never detracts from the excitement. It’s a real shame Cameron never made a third film himself, because this is two-thirds the greatest trilogy of all time.
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