1984
Directed by James Cameron
This is a film I have seen many times, as it is one of my mother's favorites. It seems we watch it every year around her birthday and I think lately she has tried to make it a thing to watch it on Christmas. It's not quite keeping with the spirit of the holidays. Die Hard is a much more logical choice.
In 2029, mankind is at war with machines. Two beings are sent from 2029 to 1984 Los Angeles. One is a cyborg sent to kill Sarah Connor to prevent her from conceiving and eventually giving birth to the leader of the resistance movement in 2029. The other is a hot young guy sent to protect her from the cyborg. Was that a shitty summary or what? Time travel movies are always so complicated.
This is often classified as a science fiction/action film, but at times it doesn't feel that way and it certainly is not what James Cameron meant it to be. It feels a lot more like a slasher movie. You have a killer that is seemingly unstoppable, and the resourceful girl that somehow outlives all her friends. I happen to adore slasher films, so I really enjoyed this.
I am not sure I could adequately defend this against criticism. But it is a fun movie with great pacing and great twists.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
It is rumored that Julia Louis-Dreyfus was chosen to play Sarah Connor but turned it down because of Saturday Night Live commitments.
O.J. Simpson was in the running to play The Terminator, but producers didn't believe he would be convincing as a cold-blooded killer.
Kyle Reese only smiles once in the entire film.
Ready for another surprise? I quite enjoy this one. I will just quote back to you .. "I am not sure I could adequately defend this etc etc.." but it is what it is.. and, unlike the follow ups, not over reliant on special effects.
ReplyDeleteI echo your five stars for this, will always be a masterpiece to me. I love that your mother is such a big fan, for some reason I just never imagined this would be anyone's mum's favourite film!
ReplyDeleteFunny you mention Julia Louis-Dreyfus, I'd never heard of her til last week when I watched the film Enough Said, also one of James Gandolfini's last roles. Quite enjoyed it and thought she was great, so now started on VEEP and then onto Seinfeld (which I feel like I should have seen already).
I can't believe that you liked this one too Ray! Next you are going to start praising the Sound of Music!
ReplyDeleteDonald, I love Enough Said! I just watched it again recently but had to stop at the couples dinner scene because it was so awkward.
I LOVE THIS MOVIE! I am sorry I had to shout, but I got really excited. The Terminator is so scary and I remember the first time watching this and thinking "He just keeps coming at them! Run, Sarah, run!I"I watch this movie again and again so I can relate to your Mom.BTW,that one smile of Kyle's, well, let's just say, that was...wonderful. I think this is a fun movie.
ReplyDeleteI admit, I am in partially in love with Kyle.
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