Hello everybody my name is Jarrod and as an avid geek myself, I felt compelled to write this little bit here to tell you about the “Terminator” films. It’s nothing too in depth or anything like that. It is just a few things about each film and what I think about the overall franchise. So here goes.
Time traveling robots in leather pants, and a plotline that could give you a headache. The “Terminator” films seem more like a Saturday morning cartoon rather than one of the best film franchises in the world. I know some of you may disagree with that, but this is just one man’s opinion. For those of you that do not know the story of these intrepid characters – let me explain a little about it all.
“The Terminator”
The first film in the franchise stars Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor, Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese, and Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator. This film was our first glimpse into the horrible future that James Cameron had created, but it showed us that no matter how powerful an enemy are – the human spirit will never stop fighting.
The film has Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese chased by the Terminator who was sent back in time to kill Sarah, and prevent the birth of her son John Connor – who will one day lead the human resistance against the machines who have taken over the world. Kyle Reese is a soldier from the future who volunteered to come back in time to save Sarah from the Terminator. Kyle tells of the future from which he is from and why the Terminators were built. Kyle and Sarah eventually fall in love, and later it is revealed that Sarah is carrying Kyle’s baby. They eventually destroy the Terminator but at the expense of Kyle’s own life. Sarah is left all alone and emotionally wounded by the end, and that is what leads us into the next film.
“Terminator 2: Judgment Day”
In this film John Connor (played by Edward Furlong) is now a young boy who lives with a foster family after Sarah is put into a mental hospital. Having suffered a mental breakdown about the impending “Judgment Day” that is going to occur on August 29, 1997. Having failed to terminate Sarah the first time, the machines decided to terminate John this time around and sent a new breed of Terminator back in time. The T-1000, a metallic alloy Terminator who can morph his body into different pointy things – and people. Another Terminator was sent back in time as well, but had been reprogrammed by the human resistance from the future to protect John Connor in the past.
I’m sure that I could go on about how the two Terminators eventually battle each other and who wins, and so on, but I figure that just about everyone on earth has already seen this film at least once. Therefore, I’ll save you the trouble and just move on. If you haven’t seen it … Ummm ? Well what are you waiting for? Watch it already would ya!
This film made the franchise what it is. The digital effects created for the film were amazing and started a new revolution in filmmaking. James Cameron set the bar as high as someone could possibly set it. How could another film even match the story, and visuals? At the time, it was the most expensive film in Hollywood.
“Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”
The third film changed everything. John Connor was played by Nick Stahl, his future wife was played by Claire Danes, and once again the T-800 Terminator was played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. In this film, they are running from the T-X Terminator played Kristanna Loken. In the film, John does not accept his fate and spends most of the film running from his destiny. With a confusing plot line, hardcore fight scenes, and some great moments mixed with corny jokes – it was the laughing stock of the franchise.
“Terminator Salvation”
This fourth film in the franchise makes up for the third one. In this film, a young Kyle Reese (played by Anton Yelchin) is on the run with Marcus Wright (played by Sam Worthington). Marcus Wright is a human/cyborg hybrid, who, wakes up in the future with one objective – to get to John Connor (played by Christian Bale this time around). In this film, John Connor is the leader of a small resistance group, but still takes orders from the top brass. He knows what the future holds, and knows what has to be done to keep the human race alive. John is thought to be a prophet of sorts with his knowledge of the future. Most of his predictions are coming true, but sooner rather than later. In the film, Marcus Wright fights the machine side of his programming and chooses to help the human resistance. John must put his trust in a machine once again after spending his whole life learning to hate them.
The film takes some twists and turns, but the overall experience, is well worth the trip. It is the greatest of all the films in the franchise, and if they continue on this path then a new generation of filmgoers will get to experience the groundbreaking films in the “Terminator” franchise.
Ladies, and gentlemen this is just one man’s opinion of the films. If yours is different that’s fine, but if you like it keep reading Geek Nation. I will try to keep up with the newest of films. So, be good and keep safe.
