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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
Terminator, The
Universal acclaim
Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 23 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Action | Sci-fi | Suspense/Thriller
Written by:
James Cameron
Gale Anne Hurd
Harlan Ellison
Directed by: James Cameron
Release Date:
Theatrical: October 26, 1984
DVD: September 3, 1997
Running Time: 108 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: R
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield, and Lance Henriksen
A cyborg (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)
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Aliens Aliens of the Deep Avatar Ghosts of the Abyss Terminator 2: Judgment Day Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Terminator Salvation The Abyss Titanic True Lives
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site All Films Considered: James Cameron
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten
Director James Cameron and producer Gale Anne Hurd (both of whom co-wrote the script) demonstrate their storytelling virtuosity.
Read Full Review >Variety Staff (Not Credited)
A blazing, cinematic comic book, full of virtuoso moviemaking, terrific momentum, solid performances and a compelling story.
Read Full Review >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.
Entertainment Weekly Glenn Kenny
Kineticism and suspense, combined with strongly conceived characters....Made Cameron a talent to watch. [13 Jan 1995, p. 67]
Empire Mark Dinning
A tense, slickly executed thriller.
Time Richard Corliss
Plenty of tech-noir savvy to keep infidels and action fans satisfied.[26 Nov 1984, p. 105]
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 Staff (Not Credited)
An amazingly effective picture that becomes doubly impressive when one considers its small budget.
Read Full Review >The Globe and Mail (Toronto) 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 >Chicago Reader Dave Kehr
Schwarzenegger is presented as a lumbering slab of dumb, destructive strength--the image is more geological than human--and Cameron plays his crushing weightiness against the strangely light, almost graceful violence of the gunplay directed against him. The results have the air of a demented ballet.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 23 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Jay H gave it a9:
One of the best sci-fi films ever made, brilliantly done with an imaginiative and powerful plot. Excellent special effects, well acted and relentlessly fast paced. This one will have you on the edge of your seat throughout.
Jake H gave it a10:
This movie was down right action packed. Arnold Schwartezennager rules!!
Jared C gave it a0:
"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.
Robert R. gave it a9:
One of the great sci-fi adventure films to date. This one is actually a little creepier than T2. Schawrzenegger has some funny lines. I'll be back!
Tech gave it an8:
The storyline and scripts are great. But with better effects this movie would have rocked.
Anonymous gave it an8:
For its small budget, Cameron creates a film that feels much more expensive than it is (for the most past), going to show how skilled a director he is. The 80's cultural elements feel annoying, but it makes that scene where Arnold blasts his uzi in the club even better.
Mike gave it a7:
This is a good movie, BUT it shows that it was on a tight budget.
