The Terminator Movies

[Jason C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jason C]

Sci-fi action would be my favorite genre and the original Terminator is a big reason why. I know this will sound silly to cinephiles, but when you consider the genre THE TERMINATOR is a brilliant film. Much of that is the pacing. Most sci-fi has to slow down so it can explain itself. Much of The Terminator's story is being told by Reese as he's weaving in and out of traffic at dangerous speeds or evading detection. It also has terrific casting. Michael Biehn is a better actor than you'll see starring in most action films and even bit parts are filled with recognizable genre actors like Dick Miller as the Pawn Shop Owner. The score is perfect as well.

The UK Blu-ray is a revelation. The previous R1 DVDs and Blu-ray are garbage. There is so much detail on the UK BD its like watching the film for the first time. Its almost distracting as details that were previously obscured now shine through. The semi bursting into flames is one the most amazing scenes that has ever graced my television. The color timing of some scenes does appear to be different, but in every case I noticed, it was for the better.

http://www.screenshotcomparison.com/....php?id=148675

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Pretty big difference in those caps, thanks for the link.

[sukebanboy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sukebanboy]

Evidently the rights go back to James Cameron in 2019 and the plan is to churn out two features before that happens.

So, let the raping of the franchise begin!

[Richard--W a straight arrow Find all posts View Profile Close Richard--W]

I thought THE TERMINATOR was one franchise that would be left alone by the no-talent hacks with access to financing.

Both THE TERMINATOR and TERMINATOR 2 are among the best sci-fi films ever made. Intellectually, Cameron's grasp of political and social issues has always struck me as simplistic and uninformed at best, but the context into which he puts TERMINATOR 2 works as storytelling, and it's a story well-told. The film is more ambitious than the first, with a richer story to tell and fleshed-out characters. The growth in Linda Hamilton's character, and in her acting, was the biggest surprise. Plus, she was hot. I mean smokin' hot. The effects are startling. Especially the liquid-mercury man played by Robert Patrick who could disguise himself as linoleum. And there's some great humor (John Connor calls the Terminator a dork which Arnold seems to be). It's a big-screen entertainment that's 100% successful on its own terms. I don't mind the changes.

TERMINATOR 2 sets up many possibilities for the franchise to continue but the inspiration tapers off after that.

I love many sci-fi movies going back to the 1940s. I refrain from listing them all, but The Thing From Another World (1951), Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Fantastic Voyage (1966), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), The Andromeda Strain (1971) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1978) are among them.

[Nolando Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nolando]

The films' grasp of quantum theory is a pop-music approach but at least it set up enough of an idea for Futurama to take it to the inevitable/appropriate next level (rather than sending the guy who's going to be your dad into the past, become your own grandfather instead).

[Chris Kewley Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chris Kewley]

I agree with everyone on the first film, sci/fi action at it's best & like Jason C this film is a big reason why I love the genre. I'm going to break away from the pack & say I didn't really like the second film upon release, Arnie as a good guy just felt so wrong to me that the ground breaking SFX couldn't save the film coupled with Furlong's character. It has grown on me since then. The third film I thought was a decent film that recieves too much negitive press, the last film for what ever reason I enjoy way to much. Bale's acting maybe the reason, I really can't put a finger on why I like this film as much as I do. I know we're talking the movies here, but I really enjoyed the TV show & the direction it was taking, still haven't seen the final episode.

[Nolando Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nolando]

Do you mean the Sarah Connor Chronicles? It was alright, I thought, but when you're relying on such acting luminaries as Brian Austin Green and Lena Heady to lead your show you might be in a shite state of affairs... The final episode kinda redeemed it all, tho', IMO.

That said, Summer Glau as the good terminator was fun (and fun to look at). Too bad they didn't get to develop the blossoming storyline of John Connor finding a way to bang his hot protective robot.

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

A bit of an update on the new movie by way of Total Film:

"Laeta Kalodgris and Patrick Lussier have been hired by Skydance Pictures to pen a new script, details of which remain clamped firmly under wraps.

Skydance's David Ellison recently joined the project to co-produce alongside his sister Megan, and it seems now as though serious steps are being taken towards making this one happen.

Whether or not Arnie will be involved in any capacity remains to be seen, but Megan Ellison has confirmed that the picture will be R-rated, which should go some way to appeasing sceptical fans."

So at least the R-rating ensures some decent sci-fi violence? ;)

[Alex K. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Alex K.]

Where else could you take the franchise? You could either remake either of the first two films (which was done in Part 3) or set it during the apocalyptic future (which was done in Part 4) and that's about it. I would be surprised if they didn't do a flat out remake.

[Jason C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jason C]

Where else could you take the franchise?

They could have Skynet send Arnold to the Biff Tannen future to kill Doc Brown, thus saving us all from seeing BACK TO THE FUTURE III. John Connor sends Shia LaBeouf so he can ride a hover board and be killed by Arnold, saving us from him making any more films.

[Alex K. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Alex K.]

Or this:

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Bleeding Cool says that Arnold will be back for T5.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/01/...medium=twitter

[Jason C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jason C]

I'm sure I'm alone in this but I wonder if we've reached the point where the 80's Arnold could be in T5? I thought it was convincing in SALVATION and it's not like he'd need to emote much.

[Johnny Stickman Way Out Hep Cat Find all posts View Profile Close Johnny Stickman]

I love the first two; they're childhood favorites. I think they both hold up well as brilliant and fun sci-fi flicks. I don't mind Edward Furlong, actually, I might say that I love the guy. Him and Edward Norton should team up for a sequel to American History X. In regards to number three, even though the second film didn't leave viewers with a 100% positive vibe, it was still really depressing to know we are all screwed with the turnout of three.

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

So supposedly Arnold is on board for part 5 and it's going to shoot in early 2014.

He's also going to do King Conan and Twins II.