THE TERMINATOR

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STARRING: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield, Lance Henrikson, Rick Rossovich

1984, 108 Minutes, Directed by: James Cameron

Description: A cyborg is sent from the future on a deadly mission. He has to kill Sarah Connor, a young woman whose life will have a great significance in years to come. Sarah has only one protector - Kyle Reese - also sent from the future. The Terminator uses his exceptional intelligence and strength to find Sarah, but is there any way to stop the seemingly indestructible cyborg? — Amazon.com

There are B-movies, and then there are B-movies. With this inventive and tautly-paced actioner, about a cyborg (Schwarzenegger when he hasn't struck it big yet) sent from the future to destroy his enemy before he is even conceived and the human also sent from the future to prevent this, shows what can be done on a cheap budget.

To my mind better than its successor (for pure freshness) this film shows a keen understanding and love of the sci-fi genre. Exciting and thrilling with enough black comedy, violence and car chases to appeal to even the most jaded action movie freak this one is a must see.

Although the stunts and special effects are nowhere as good as its sequel, The Terminator has an ace up its sleeve: a well-written and taut screenplay that doesn't tend to drift off into the occasional ponderous bits like in Terminator 2.
 

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