When you say 1984 to some people, they might immediately jump to George Orwell’s 1949 dystopian novel of the same name. A cautionary tale about the dangerous direction the future may take, it is ironic that in the year 1984, a powerful film titled The Terminator would be released in theaters.
Directed and co-written by James Cameron (famous for mega films like 1997’s Titanic and 2009’s Avatar), The Terminator follows a startling story about a cybernetic assassin sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill a woman named Sarah Connor because one day her unborn son will save humanity from total extinction. Terrifying, Sarah’s only hope is that Kyle Reese, a soldier from the Human Resistance in the post-apocalyptic future, follows the lethal cyborg back to 1984 to protect her.
Simple enough to follow, what drives The Terminator is the sheer impending doom that no matter how hard you try, you cannot escape the relentless attack of this emotionless machine. With this lurking over your head, there is also no question that the steady pace of the film keeps your attention. As much an Action, as it is Science Fiction, you could argue that The Terminator tilters into Horror as well. A tremendous accomplishment in filmmaking, not since 1979’s Alien, or thereafter, has any other been such a trifecta. Ironic, considering the much glossier, Hollywood-vibed Terminator 2: Judgment Day from 1991 would surpass the original film in popularity by leaps and bounds, historically, some would argue The Terminator is the most intense experience.
Looking deeper inside, The Terminator tackles many ideas we considered Science Fiction back at the time of its release. Although, decades later you can debate whether it is premise is plausible with technology companies’ unhealthy obsession with artificial intelligence development. A theory some may laugh in your face about if you bring it up, while others will give a long, hard stare of concern, Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd’s The Terminator script could be seen as prophetic… just like Orwell’s 1984. Essentially, The Terminator is also a cautionary tale, but most overlook this factor because it is wrapped in an action-packed film with some great special effects and explosions. Not said to degraded viewers, perhaps everyone needs to take a closer open-eyed look at what this film was truly trying to say.
Furthermore, while The Terminator acted as a springboard that turned Arnold Schwarzenegger into a decade-defining film star, the performance of Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese and Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor should never be overlooked. In fact, while we must look to The Terminator franchise and immediately think of Schwarzenegger, there is no denying that Biehn was the hands-down star of the original film. Powerful, Biehn’s Kyle Reese is human, yet you feel a scene of safety that even though he bleeds, he will stop at nothing to protect Sarah Connor. On the other hand, Hamilton’s Sarah Connor is flawlessly portrayed as frightened and insecure, before quickly transforming into a strong-willed woman who dominates in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
With so much to analyze and discuss, The Terminator did not go unnoticed in 1984… because it won numerous awards for writing, make-up, and more. It also is recognized as one of the most influential Science Fiction films of all time, and of course, the foundation that built a mega-franchise of six films, a television series, video games, and endless merchandise. A tremendous legacy, now for the first time The Terminator emerges on 4K Ultra HD.
A release conceding with the film’s 40th anniversary, on November 19, 2024 Warner Bros. offers fans a chance to own in a single disc 4K format. Also available digitally in 4K, most will gravitate toward this physical format… especially with the holidays approaching. This considered, you get the film in a new 4K transfer with High Dynamic Range, and truthfully it is an upgrade from the 2K edition released to Blu-ray in the past. Extremely clarified, the images are sharp and bright, and the detail is exceptionally rich. Enough to warrant the investment, the physical package features new art and a slipcase, which may not be as exciting to some fans as the original theatrical artwork, but it is still serviceable. Joining this you also have comparable special features from older releases which include deleted scenes and two enjoyable featurettes.
So, the next time someone says to you they are excited for the future where artificial intelligence will do all the work for them while apathy sets in, just ask them, “Haven’t you ever seen The Terminator?” A good point of discussion, it is also recommended to pick up The Terminator in 4K Ultra HD, because Cryptic Rock gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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