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The Terminator
By Ken Feil,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Terrific sci-fi action, but too violent for some.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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The Terminator
Community Reviews
Based on 47 parent reviews
Watch out for nudity and sex scene
Now an iconic film that still reverberates in popular culture
What's the Story?
The story of THE TERMINATOR begins with the arrival of a pumped-up, naked Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is "The Terminator," a cyborg sent from the post-apocalyptic future where machines have taken over the world via nuclear Armageddon. His mission is to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the woman who will eventually become the mother of the leader of the future resistance. Soldier Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) is sent back as well; in this case to prevent the Terminator from carrying out his mission. Reese must protect Sarah long enough for her to give birth to her son, John, who will lead the fight against the machines.
Is It Any Good?
Co-written and directed by James Cameron, this is an excellent vehicle for his facility with sci-fi action and spectacle. It also highlights themes like humans versus machines, the destructiveness of war, capitalism, and the questioning traditional gender roles that are common in his films.
The Terminator is more serious than the second two movies in the series. Schwarzenegger's character bears none of the playful ambiguity of the sequels; he simply kills. True, he does utter the infamous phrase, "I'll be back," a promise that the character utterly fulfills, but the effect is less ironic than horrifying.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the conventions of action movies like The Terminator and director James Cameron's statements regarding corporate culture, unchecked technological development, and nuclear war.
What do you think of Sarah Connor's transformation from sweet, defenseless damsel-in-distress to strong and independent action hero?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 26, 1984
- On DVD or streaming: February 21, 2001
- Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Linda Hamilton , Michael Biehn
- Director: James Cameron
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Orion
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Run time: 108 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- Last updated: October 14, 2023
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