The Terminator 4K UHD Review
“The Terminator” is a sci-fi classic.
Written by James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd, 1984’s “The Terminator” is the film that started an ongoing franchise that continues to this day. The premise is simple- A violent cybernetic android designed to look human (the titular Terminator) travels in time from the year 2029 to 1984 in Los Angeles. The Terminator’s mission is to kill Sarah Connor and thereby stop the birth of human resistance leader John Connor (the real threat to the conquering self aware AI Skynet). The Terminator isn’t the only one traveling back to 1984 though. Human resistance fighter Kyle Reese has also been assigned to the time period to protect Sarah Connor and hopefully stop the Terminator from carrying out its mission.
Even though “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is a more sophisticated and thrilling chapter in the Terminator saga, the original is still 2nd best. Before he came obsessed with the ocean, CGI, action spectacles, and motion-capture, director James Cameron showed real promise as a filmmaker with this raw, gritty, noirish action sci-fi film. Sure, it becomes a glorified chase movie with the seemingly indestructible Terminator following Kyle and Sarah everywhere they go, but the prescient rise of AI plot mixed with the creative world building captured audiences. It doesn’t hurt that there’s so many iconic moments here from the exoskeleton special effects by Stan Winston, “I’ll Be Back,” and the rise of one of cinema’s best heroes with Sarah Connor.
Of course, “The Terminator” also skyrocketed Arnold Schwarzenegger to superstardom. Sure, he was in the Conan films before, but this took his career to the next level. It was the role he was born to play. Linda Hamilton also shines bright as Sarah Connor who goes from a normal woman to a hardened hero. Michael Biehn (a James Cameron movie regular back in the day) is also a total badass as Kyle Reese.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.85:1 2160p. How does it look? It’s no secret that the recent 4Ks of James Cameron films have angered a lot of physical media and film lovers. The AI remastering of “The Terminator” may rub some the wrong way, but this transfer largely impresses. It doesn’t appear overly glossy, still contains some film grain, and features sharper image quality.
Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? The Atmos track is nothing short of dynamic. The future scenes, the moody Brad Fiedel score, the shootouts, it all sounds better than it ever has on home video.
Extras:
* Digital copy
* 7 deleted scenes with optional commentary by James Cameron
* “Creating The Terminator: Visual Effects And Music” covers the miniatures and the score.
* “The Terminator: Closer To The Real Thing”- A featurette on sci-fi, technology, robotics, and the crossover between fiction and reality.
* “Unstoppable Force: The Legacy Of The Terminator” is all about the success and cultural impact of “The Terminator.”
No comments yet.
Share This Blog
Robert Ham
dmanderson
Andrea
nicklyons1
DVD Corner 
Leave a comment