20 Reasons Why You Rock: The Terminator

James Cameron is an absolute genius when it comes to filmmaking. How many men could make masterpieces like The Terminator and Aliens and then go make something like Titanic? From a fans perspective, we can complain about how long it takes for Cameron to make a film but that wasn’t the case way back when. During the 1980’s he was responsible for such movies as The Terminator, Aliens, Rambo: First Blood Part 2, and The Abyss. Whether he was writing the script for or directing the film, James Cameron has unknowingly earned his way into my heart as a go-to director who can do no wrong. It was only fitting that during a recent re-watch of 1984’s The Terminator, I was inspired to jot down some of the reasons I think that this movie ROCKS and I’m happy to share them with you now…

#1. Dueling Introductions- The intro to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator is pure awesome. The intro to Michael Biehn’s Kyle Reese is equally cool if not more so. You can tell that they are different types of people without being told that.

#2. The way the film shows how the two travelers do everything is top notch. How they get their clothes. How they get their firearms. The two of them couldn’t be more different, even though their missions are the same to begin with… locate Sarah Connor.

#3. The future here is just so damned bleak. As much as you want to see more of this world, this might be the perfect amount to fulfill you without giving too much away.

#4. It’s hard to make things shoot lasers and not look crappy but they do it well here.

#5. “Come with me if you wanna live.”

#6. Being Stalked- The night club shootout really reinforces the idea that this movie is horror. The Terminator isn’t your typical slasher but he has Michael Myers levels of motivation to get to Sarah, and in true horror fashion, he’s un-killable.

#7. Biehn delivers all the info to Sarah as they attempt to escape. She’s just been through a whole hell of a lot and is believing him even though he sounds like a madman. Seeing The Terminator getting shot a dozen times and just stand back up might explain that a little.

#8. “A sort of retroactive abortion.” The doctor could have been a throwaway character but he has great lines in multiple movies.

#9. Just the Two of Us- “It’s just him…..and me.” Why not send 20 guys back to protect her? I dunno….but we know for sure that it was blown up after the two of them came through and that makes his mission all the more important.

#10. Body horror with him cutting his wrist and eyeball out. The effects are a little dated but what the hell can you expect from a movie in 1984. There aren’t a lot of camera tricks either. Lots of love and respect to Stan Winston and the effects team.

#11. When I was a kid all I ever wanted was a full length feature film about the future war. When it finally came, it wasn’t very good. Be careful what you wish for.

#12. Love Conquers All- Maybe the best love story in film history.

#13. I love that the Theme song just doubles as the love making song.

#14. Nothing to See Here- Terminator just riding a motorcycle around with an assault rifle on his shoulder.

#15. The massive explosion from the semi truck is *chef’s kiss levels of good.

#16. Bye Bye Skin- From the flames and wreckage, it emerges and looking totally amazing. What an iconic design?

#17. Kyle goes down like the boss that he was. Movie heroes weren’t meant to survive.

#18. The half Terminator dragging itself across the floor heading towards Sarah is the thing of nightmares.

#19. You’re Terminated Melon Farmer- I’ve always loved the fact that Sarah got the final kill and the final one liner. The 80’s really were a great time for memorable female action heroes and Sarah Connor is among the best.

#20. What would have happened to the Terminator if he had succeeded in killing Sarah? Would he just be out there hanging out until someone recognized him and a SWAT team showed up?