James Cameron is finally releasing his backlog of game-changing films on 4K. The recent releases of Titanic (1997), The Abyss (1989), and True Lies (1994) have had varied reception but mostly praise on the painstaking process of achieving clear visuals and eye- (ear-) popping sound. I am happy to report that The Terminator (1984) is on the high end of the spectrum, bursting with purple lasers and accurately rendering the darkness of the myriad of night scenes, even clear enough to see Arnie’s bouncing member when he first arrives from the future. It’s only fair that if Linda Hamilton (Terminator franchise) has to bare it all, that the men show it off as well.
Clocking in at 1 hour and 47 minutes, this is Cameron’s shortest film, not including Piranha II (1982). This film is lean, mean, and all action.
With the lasting legacy that is The Terminator franchise, spawning multiple sequels, a ride, and launching the Governator into superstardom, it’s easy to forget this film’s humble roots. Shot for around $5 million, the production faced studio pressure to stay on schedule. The scrappiness of the production, shot guerrilla style without permits, really shines through on screen. It feels like an insular chase film, but, at the same time, there is an epic feel to the action and the world-building which gives the film a certain gravitas.
The iconography is brilliant. James Cameron has an eye for great storytelling. The leather outfits and shades for Arnold Schwarzenegger (Conan the Barbarian), the fight sequences in future L.A. with the machines crushing skulls and hunting survivors of the shoot out in the Tech Noir club, these will go down as some of the best action the ‘80s had to offer, immediately jacking the film into the pop culture zeitgeist. Casting Michael Biehn (Tombstone) and Linda Hamilton proved to be great bets as they both do such a great job encapsulating characters that are larger than the sum of their parts. Linda is Sarah Connor, the mother of the resistance, Beihn, the father, and, after watching T2 (1991), coming back to see this, you can recognize that weight.
Upon further reflection and gleaning snippets of information from the special features, there was a mindful and deliberate way the machines were depicted. The ever-growing conspiratorial threat of AI and machines taking over may be able to tip their hat to this film and its grim post-apocalyptic vision of the future.
Cameron has a penchant for explosive action, a certain “cool” factor that the likes of Michael Bay (Bad Boys) try to replicate, but it’s this perfect blend of technical proficiency and arrogant swagger on a large scale that captivates an audience with the wow factor while staying true to the story and the characters. It’s not just noise.
Overall, revisiting this classic in 4K will be an absolute treat to anyone who wants to upgrade their collection. The images are stunning, even seeing more clearly the prosthetics and makeup only adds to the experience and the truly “B movie” feel this film leans into. The sound is amazing, clearly making out the words as explosions boom and techno music throbs in the background. The only unfortunate thing is that the special features are all ported over from previous DVD and Blu-ray releases, nothing new for this release. C’mon, Cameron! Leave the jungles of Pandora and give the people what they want!
The Terminator Previously Available Special Features:
- Creating The Terminator: Visual Effects & Music
- The Terminator: Closer to the Real Thing
- Unstoppable Force: The Legacy of The Terminator
- Seven (7) Deleted Scenes
Available on 4K UHD and digital November 19th, 2024.
For more information, head to the official Warner Bros. Pictures The Terminator webpage.
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Categories: Films To Watch, Home Release, Recommendation
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