Sci-Fi Terminator 1, 2, & 3: Review and Discussion Thread

[FlawlessVictory]

T3 isn't bad. Sure it's essentially another "Terminators chase John Connor" movie, but the ending was awesome.

The ending was the only good thing about T3.

T3 isnt as bad as many say. Aside from franchise errors, its the overuse of humor and self-parody approach that kills it for many. I might even agree with Rotten Tomatoes' general consesus - not nearly as good as the first two, but a welcomed addition

Anything after T2 is unnecessary and not a welcome additon, IMO, especially with how T3 turned out. Since they felt the need to continue the franchise, T2 should have been followed up with a Terminator Salvation type film. T3 should have never been made.

And yes, the humor was terrible and killed it for me. And the scene where Arnold is reprogrammed and struggling with himself is dreadful.

As I said in another thread, the James Cameron films will never be topped. They're masterpieces.

Salvation was a summer blockbuster film. And as a summer blockbuster, it was perfect. The only way to top the first two movies, is by having James Cameron on board directing it, which will most likely never, ever happen. And the sooner people realize that, the better.

Agreed.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Question: Are multiple Terminators allowed to travel through time to arrive at the same point in time? Because, if so, after being unsuccessful in trying to kill Sarah Connor, why weren't a whole army of Terminators sent back to ensure they would not fail again and take out their target?

 

[The Guard]

Seriously? Your inabilty to understand does not make it stupid. You just dont get it.

And its much simpler than Warhammer is making it seem. Linear or non linear time changes nothing in relation to Kyle. See my super simple time line above. If that doesnt help then may i suggest you read more science fiction. Maybe some Clarke or Bradbury?

I understand it perfectly. I still think it's kind of stupid. And it's hilarious that you all think you need to list out the dates and what happens so I'll get it. I get it. I just think it's stupid.

As for your opinion on the movie i could not disagree more (especially concerning character). Its too bad you are either too young (or saw the movie far too late) to put it in its proper context. Nearly everything about it was groundbreaking for its time and i think the movie has aged incredibly well. Then again i was a science fiction nut before it came out and was lucky enough to see it before it got ripped off a thousand times.(shrugs)

I guess I shouldn't be suprised. You have some impossibly high standards and seem to be much less forgiving of other writers work than of your own.

The basic concept is interesting. Yes, the effects were groundbreaking. If by aged incredibly well you mean that a movie that was made in 1984 still looks like it was made in 1984, hey, I agree with you. The movie itself is not particularly well written, even though it features some interesting concepts. You're welcome to believe it is if you wish. But to me, the writing is about the level of every other action movie in that timeframe.

Stuff like "I came across time for you Sarah" does not an incredibly well written movie make.

Impossibly high standards? Why, exactly?

 

[TNC9852002]

I'm re-watching Terminator 1, literally, right now.

I can't believe how little I remember about this movie....

 

[Dark Victory]

I re-watched all three the other day and glad I did. I remember back in the day used to watch Terminator 1 and 2 on VHS just about every day and it was great watching them again after so many years. I should've skipped T3. Damn, talk about poor CGI. The greatest part of the first two were the practical effects, and Jonathan Mostow pretty much ignored that idea. Don't forget poor casting and story.

 

[nathaniel]

'Terminator 2: Judgement Day' Movie Review:

How do you top a great movie? By making a terrific sequel.

Simply put, this is one of the best films ever made. Director James Cameron stacks the bar for what he brought with the first-installment and adds a whole-new layer with this installment. More fun, more action, more characters, more subplots, pretty much more of everything.

The only real thing that fans of the original may want to cry about when viewing this one is that it's not quite a "horror film". The last one viewed the villain as being somewhat of a horror figure. Although the villain we have in this one is fantastic, it's hard to call him a "horror villain" as Arnold played the role back in '84.

However, if you're able to look beyond that one simple factor. You've got yourself some cinema-treasure here.

What I love so dearly about this one is that it has a simular structure to the first-installment of the franchise. We open with a glimpse of the future (post Judgement Day). In a simular encounter to the first, John encounters both Terminators inside the mall; with the villain wielding a pistol (T-1000) and the hero wielding a shotgun (T-800). Ala the first, the odds are obviously stacked against the heroes as the villain is far more advanced than they are. Skip to the end where we find the hero and the villain have their final encounter, where the villain obviously has the upper-hand, where the battle itself once again takes place at an industrial factory. You could make references between both films pretty much sequence-by-sequence, and normally people bashing the film first leap to that truth. But those people tend to forget that the best sequels to anything expand what the original brought to the table, and 'T2' certainly does just that.

Another thing that haters of this film may also "hate" about this film is that there are a lot of (so-called) "cheesy" moments added in the mix. And to that, I say that it's there to provide comedy-relief. If you really can't stand comedy-relief in this movie, go look at movies closely simular to it (eg. 'The Dark Knight').

I honestly don't know why people tend to complain about things like this in movies, where the majority of movies obviously take place in "fantasy" worlds. If not, they take place in our own world with their own "fantasy" elements. Once again, the people who aren't fans of this kind of stuff in movies need to quit being so damn jaded.

Away from all that, saying great things about this film is all I can do. I love every single bit of this film. From opening-to-end, from performances-to-effects, from action-to-characters. This film is simply magnificent.

However, one thing that always fascinates me about this particular film is the message it sends. I always considered this film to be the "R-Rated Film For Everyone". Why? Well, because the message is for everyone. What is that message?... How 'bout a Terminator not killing anyone? How 'bout the questions it leaves in our heads? From "Why do we need machines?" to "What's our future?"

According to this film, the future is simply what we make for ourselves.

In closing, this movie is simply terrific. But, at the same time, is something more.

Rating: 100% ~ Cinema-perfection at it's finest hour.

Yes one of the greatest films of the genre made by the master of it of it. people seem to be making this film to be "cheesy" or "poor" simply to make themselves feel better that TS is an average summer movie attempt,not great but not very good, that brings none of the epic feel T2 brought us.

the T-1000 has to be the most frightening sci fi ovie villain with very few lines ever he sits alongside the Alien creature, also made by the master cameron.

 

[thejon93]

Yes one of the greatest films of the genre made by the master of it of it. people seem to be making this film to be "cheesy" or "poor" simply to make themselves feel better that TS is an average summer movie attempt,not great but not very good, that brings none of the epic feel T2 brought us.

the T-1000 has to be the most frightening sci fi ovie villain with very few lines ever he sits alongside the Alien creature, also made by the master cameron.

I gave 'Terminator Salvation' a 57%. Overall, I wasn't really pleased with what they shipped out. But, it was tolerable. My problem with 'Salvation' is that it's simply hollow. There's only eye-candy, where you can say "wow" over. But there's nothing special brought to the table with 'Salvation'. Basically, I consider it to be a failed-attempt. I'm hoping that if they make more they can improve. But they'll have to do some heavy lifting (IMO) now if they want to get the sequel into quality-territory.

 

[co2]

I so wish Cameron had done a T3 about 12 years ago instead of going off to become King of the World with that movie that made a couple of bucks. He had talked about doing another Terminator with Arnold and obvisously had some ideas.

I remember after T2 came out my mind was going crazy with ideas for the third movie.
I always fantasized that it would be about the early days of the future war where an adult John Conner meets a member of the resistance, who is a tough, former military operative that so happens to look like Arnold. John discovers that Skynet's new plot is to destroy a young Kyle Reese so he finally convinces Arnold's character to help rescue Kyle,all the while fighting early Terminators, like the T-600. Hell, even Robert Patrick could have played one of Arnold's men that betrays him for Skynet at some point. I even would have been OK with Arnold sacrificing himself for John and Kyle by the end.

That's the T3 movie that was stuck in my head since '91, but alas, it was never meant to be. I think I just convince myself that is what happened. It would be a much more pleasant world.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Question: Are multiple Terminators allowed to travel through time to arrive at the same point in time? Because, if so, after being unsuccessful in trying to kill Sarah Connor, why weren't a whole army of Terminators sent back to ensure they would not fail again and take out their target?

Reese clearly said in T1 that the humans had captured the Skynet head quarters and found the time displacement equipment after the Terminator had been sent through. What he didnt know, or us at that point, was that a T-800 and T-1000 were sent to two different time frames. Also Reese didnt know a T-800 was reprogrammed and sent back to protect John after he went through.

 

[scatterax]

I so wish Cameron had done a T3 about 12 years ago instead of going off to become King of the World with that movie that made a couple of bucks. He had talked about doing another Terminator with Arnold and obvisously had some ideas.

I remember after T2 came out my mind was going crazy with ideas for the third movie.
I always fantasized that it would be about the early days of the future war where an adult John Conner meets a member of the resistance, who is a tough, former military operative that so happens to look like Arnold. John discovers that Skynet's new plot is to destroy a young Kyle Reese so he finally convinces Arnold's character to help rescue Kyle,all the while fighting early Terminators, like the T-600. Hell, even Robert Patrick could have played one of Arnold's men that betrays him for Skynet at some point. I even would have been OK with Arnold sacrificing himself for John and Kyle by the end.

That's the T3 movie that was stuck in my head since '91, but alas, it was never meant to be. I think I just convince myself that is what happened. It would be a much more pleasant world.

um, have you seen TS yet? it should make you happy.

 

[co2]

um, have you seen TS yet? it should make you happy.

yes, but aside from future war, it was nothing like what I descibed.

 

[nathaniel]

The future war of TS just didnt have that hit and run desperation of those small amazing scenes in the original terminator movie when Kyle is dreaming, the terminator ships scanning the devastated city with the floodlights and the small resistence fighters huddled in the rubble was just great scary sci-fi.

 

[scatterax]

yes, but aside from future war, it was nothing like what I descibed.

well the aronld-ish guy you talked about made me think of marcus in TS

 

[Ace of Knaves]

The future war of TS just didnt have that hit and run desperation of those small amazing scenes in the original terminator movie when Kyle is dreaming, the terminator ships scanning the devastated city with the floodlights and the small resistence fighters huddled in the rubble was just great scary sci-fi.

It hasn't got to that stage yet though. I think if they make a 5th it will be in that time frame, probably more focused on Kyle Reese.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Anything focused on Reese is fine with me. I just want to see him build his paranoia put more. He was a bit in this film.

 

[souvlaki]

I so wish Cameron had done a T3 about 12 years ago instead of going off to become King of the World with that movie that made a couple of bucks. He had talked about doing another Terminator with Arnold and obvisously had some ideas.

I remember after T2 came out my mind was going crazy with ideas for the third movie.
I always fantasized that it would be about the early days of the future war where an adult John Conner meets a member of the resistance, who is a tough, former military operative that so happens to look like Arnold. John discovers that Skynet's new plot is to destroy a young Kyle Reese so he finally convinces Arnold's character to help rescue Kyle,all the while fighting early Terminators, like the T-600. Hell, even Robert Patrick could have played one of Arnold's men that betrays him for Skynet at some point. I even would have been OK with Arnold sacrificing himself for John and Kyle by the end.

That's the T3 movie that was stuck in my head since '91, but alas, it was never meant to be. I think I just convince myself that is what happened. It would be a much more pleasant world.

By having Arnold in the future saving Kyle Reese with John Connor you completely ruin the mythology already established in the first movie. Kyle Reese doesn't know what Arnold looks like, and that's why he didn't spot the T-800 until he went after Sarah. Terminator Salvation made the same mistake, and it's a dumb one in my opinion. Reese should never see Arnold before he is sent back to 1984.

 

[American_Hobo]

T1 - 8/10
T2 - 10/10 (Best movie ever)
T3 - 7/10 (Very underrated movie, and better than Salvation)

Terminator 2 is one of my all-time favorite movie.
Even before I bought T2 DVD, I I don't remember how many times I've seen the movie.
If I have to choose the greatest movie ever for the last 50 years, T2 gets my vote. That's how great this movie is.

 

[co2]

By having Arnold in the future saving Kyle Reese with John Connor you completely ruin the mythology already established in the first movie. Kyle Reese doesn't know what Arnold looks like, and that's why he didn't spot the T-800 until he went after Sarah. Terminator Salvation made the same mistake, and it's a dumb one in my opinion. Reese should never see Arnold before he is sent back to 1984.

ahh, but you are forgetting.."This is not the future my mother warned me about." Judgment day has been pushed back as well as a whole host of other things have been changed. If one thing can be different, anything can be different. Time is unfolding in a different way. Otherwise, where is the jepordy?

If I had to rank these films

T1: 4.5 out of 5
T2: 4.5 out of 5
T3: 2.5 out of 5
TS 3 out of 5

I really have a hard time deciding which I prefer out of the first two. T1 had the better, more compelling story, but T2 was an unparalleled powerhouse of a ride.
T3 had decent action but at times even the action was incredibly cartoonish. It added nothing to the series.
TS had some bad acting and the story went the wrong diredtion IMO, but the action was intense and the effects were good, and I give it credit for trying something different and adding to the story.

 

[FCEEVIPER]

1. Terminator - 10/10

2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 8.5/10

3. Terminator Salvation - 7/10

4. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines - 5.5/10

 

[Rac]

So, I just rewacthed all three.

The Terminator - 4½/5
It's still really good. Minor flaws.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 3/5
Oh well, seems like I had forgotten my nostalgia glasses. Should have been more on the tone with T1. Stupid humor all over the film. T-800 is too human like. Yeah yeah, "leaning computer", but still. T2: Final Judgement fanedit seems to remove most the humor. I'd like to watch it, if I could find it.

Terminator 3: The Coming Storm - 4/5
What a great fanedit. Removes all the stupidity; the "jokes", timeline screwings etc. It's now more serious and brooding, like the first one.

 

[The Guard]

Yeah, I rewatched T2 the other day as well. Amazing action and effects, decent score, cheesy as hell everything else, and Hamilton's acting is just all over the place. And young John Connor may be THE most annoying character ever created who isn't Jar Jar Binks.

 

[Deaths Head II]

I rewatched all three to prepare for Salvation a few days ago.

The Terminator - 8.5/10
The effects have aged poorly, the film feels extremely 80s, and some of the acting is cheesy. Still, it had an intriguing story that makes me want to keep watching. It also offers something no other Terminator film really does as it feels more like a horror slasher-style film. Despite all it's faults, I still find to be a really good film.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 10/10
Wow. It's still a classic. Watching it again made it even better as I picked up on things I missed the times I watched it before. Still one of the best sequels of all time and one of the best sci-fi action films of all time.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines - 6.5/10
I actually don't hate this film as much as most people but it's pretty obvious it has it's faults. The only two things that save it from mediocrity are Arnold and the ending. I kind of like Arnold's mannerisms in this film save for the obviously cheesy joke moments. Having him do things like choke John Conner to get him angry and basically kidnap Katherine feels very appropriate for a machine. Unfortunately, unlike the first two films, Arnold's Terminator is the only character that really makes me want to keep watching.

 

[Rac]

So, I just rewacthed all three.

The Terminator - 4½/5
It's still really good. Minor flaws.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 3/5
Oh well, seems like I had forgotten my nostalgia glasses. Should have been more on the tone with T1. Stupid humor all over the film. T-800 is too human like. Yeah yeah, "leaning computer", but still. T2: Final Judgement fanedit seems to remove most the humor. I'd like to watch it, if I could find it.

Terminator 3: The Coming Storm - 4/5
What a great fanedit. Removes all the stupidity; the "jokes", timeline screwings etc. It's now more serious and brooding, like the first one.

Oh, I forgot to mention that Nick Stahl was the best John Connor and should have been in Salvation.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Here are mini-reviews. I can do lengthy ones if people want, though they'd require me rewatching them right before making a review.

The Terminator - 10/10

One of the greatest Sci-Fi movies ever, and in my top 10 favorite Sci-Fi films.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day - 10/10

Just when you think the series can't top the first, we get one of the greatest sequels ever made. Choosing between the two is hard for me.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines - 4/10

Just...ugh. Bad acting, poor humor, and few redeeming qualities. Bad, bad, bad movie!

Terminator: Salvation - 4/10

Just as bad as T3, though maybe slightly more watchable. Big missed opportunity, and shoudl have stopped at T2

 

[PWN3R]

Really shocked that there has been NO mention of the Sarah Connor Chronicles yet. Almost finished with season two and it is a nice continuation of the stories told from T1 and T2. **** FOX for canceling, although I was extremely late to hope aboard.

It completely ignores T3, so that's a plus.

My ranking:
Terminator
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Terminator Salvation
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

I love the franchise and all its possibilities. It truly is a shame Cameron will never revisit it.