The Terminator films have left an indelible mark on popular culture since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s unstoppable killing machine first burst onto cinema screens in 1984. Directed by James Cameron, the original film introduced audiences to the relentless, time-traveling T-800 cyborg assassin known as the Terminator, portrayed Schwarzenegger, that was hunting Sarah Conner, the mother of the future’s saviour. A ground-breaking piece of guerrilla filmmaking, the film featured state of the art special effects done on a budget visual effects and a striped down storyline that, while not original, set the stage for a series that would captivate audiences for decades to come.
The franchise then sat dormant for over half a decade while Cameron waited for effects to catch up with his vision. When Terminator 2: Judgment Day released in 1991, audiences were introduced to a paradigm shift in the form of the T-800, now reprogrammed to protect John Connor. The film not only showcased revolutionary computer effects but also delved deeper into the themes of fate, humanity, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. With its unforgettable action sequences, Terminator 2: Judgment Day solidified its place in cinematic history and put the Terminator franchise at the peak of the science fiction genre.
Cameron left the franchise after the second film but Schwarzenegger remained for four further instalments over the next 30 years. However, without the creator’s single-minded drive for perfection, each film fumbled the concepted and, ironically for a time travel story, relied to much on the past rather than crafting a future for the franchise.
Now, Netflix has produced the anime series Terminator Zero, which has received the franchise’s best reviews since the first two film by breaking the shackles of the past and telling its own story. Whether this can reignite the film series remains to be seen but people are once again talking about the Terminator.
Here are our rankings for the Terminator films.
6. Terminator Genisys (2015)
5. Terminator Salvation (2009)
4. Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines (2003)
3. Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
2. The Terminator (1984)
1. Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
What’s your ranking for the Terminator films? Comment below.
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After Terminator 3, enough was enough for me. At least for the cinema, because Sarah Connor Chronicles on TV with Lena Headey as Sarah Connor was interesting for a time. Like many who would have preferred Terminator 2 as the optimistically best closure, it’s certainly the best Terminator film for me. Thank you for this list to help us celebrate the 40th anniversary for the Terminator universe.
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