Action Masterclass: The Terminator - Action as Storytelling 

The Terminator is the purest expression of the series spirit as of yet. None of the sequels even comes close, not even the excellent T2. Inhuman. Cold. Raw. Dead serious. That's what Terminator is all about.

It's a love story wrapped in a horror flick inside an action film. Badass and iconic in every way imaginable.

Now I wanna watch Terminator again.

Perhaps that is why The Terminator is my favorite of all the terminator films. Do not get me wrong. T2 is really good, but I like The Terminator more.

I've never seen a buildup and gunfight as well done as the one The Terminator did in Tech Noir.

Terminator 1 can also be considered a Horror movie.

One thing I always admired about the original Terminator is how it doesn't do the "throw fight" that its sequels and so many others do. The opponent harmlessly throwing the hero around for the sake of action. The Terminator in this goes for the throat every chance he gets. It's very clear if he actually gets his hands on you, you are very dead.

Great video! Also, look at Michael Biehn's face when he fires the gun. His expression shows so much determination. I think he practically merged with his character.

1. this film has vibes for days. 2. creating memorable characters that don’t really say much, also an achievement

Just in case your curious....my bio-father was the third punk and was the one wearing Arnold’s jacket. “Finding Grooveopolis” has the original jacket in Kickstarter

Golden age of movies The 80s

The Terminator is definitely one of my favorite villains. He doesn't growl before he attacks, he doesn't hesitate, he's scarily competent, and he's nearly invincible. I don't know if you've done it yet, but I'd certainly be interested in hearing your take on Tom Cruise's villain in Collateral. Which weirdly, I like for almost all the same reasons despite them being so different.

This movie will not get old. Ever. It's a testament to the hidden potential behind every B-movie out there, and how good things can get with economical direction, lean storytelling, and a carefully picked cast.

Great description. I couldn't agree more. Most people think I am crazy when I say that the first "Terminator" is my favorite one. It's because of sequences like this. By the time this sequence takes place, you are so invested in the character of Sarah Conner it's like you are running right next to her the entire rest of the film.

Love this movie so much, it will never get old. In fact, it just keeps getting better.

Could not agree more. This film is a great piece, even today it's still wonderful low tech SF. We care, we thrill, simple.

The way Arnold gets up with the Uzi shooting after Reese shoots him is Epic.

The Terminator is one of those films you don't remember being as good as it is. I really like your videos. They make me realize why many modern films are so bad. Huge budget, lot's of CGI and many times that is all they really have.

The first Terminator is still my favorite of all the films. I think my favorite thing within the film that Cameron does is how he briefly "wakes" Sarah up from the nightmare. After the Tech Noir shootout and car chase scene which to Sarah was the impossible happening, a surreal horrible dream, being with the police is like waking up from that dream and being told by her parents everything is all right. Just like mommy and daddy explaining that monsters aren't real they explain that the Terminator was probably whacked out on drugs and also wearing a Kevlar bullet proof vest. They bring in the psychiatrist to explain that Reese is crazy, she doesn't have to believe what he said. Then Whinfield lets her sleep on his couch, puts his jacket on her, she gets to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed. The nightmare starts to fade, Sarah is coming back to reality, she is starting to feel safe. Then the Terminator shows up and starts shooting and killing everyone in the station. It all starts again. It's this tonal shift from nightmare to, for a moment or two, sobering up to reality then back to nightmare again that, for me, intensifies horror/thriller aspect of the film and makes me feel stress for the character of Sarah all the more. I love it.

It's usually almost as if you're not allowed to speak your opinion on that The Terminator is your preferred Terminator film, even above T2, but here, I feel right at home. Beautiful analysis of such a chilling scene! The Terminator is one of my all-time favourite films.

So how did it all go so wrong? How did it go from this timeless classic to Terminator: Dark Fate? That is a tragedy worth telling.

No Terminator sequel or spinoff will ever compare to Terminator and Terminator 2. Every Terminator movie after Judgment Day sucks.

i used to tell my mother that i want the theme to be played at my funeral, at the tender age of six. needless to say, i was slapped sooo fucking hard...love terminator. 🔫😎

Plus it contains one of the best love stories ever.

T1 is just so good, the terminator walking in stop-motion near the end of the film still creeps me out lol.

Am I the only one who favours the first movie over any of the sequels? I just love the love story in it. Kyle Reese is the best hero ever, so human, so cool. Arnie is a much more "believable" and therefor scarier terminator than something liquid metal.

TERMINATOR(1984) - The Original and Best! IMO

Don't forget the excellent sound track overlapping the action scene which perfectly mimics the pacing of the scene. How it also slows to focus the audiences attention of the impending and menacing murderous intentions of the Terminator. A Cameron classic.

I used to watch this movie a lot in my early teens over 20 years ago.... A VHS copy taped off a Laser Disk... Thank you Cousin! He was cool, had a Pioneer Laser Disc home theater set.... I recently watched it again, and as a kid all these "human" elements are lost on a younger audience... Kyle is so sweet...

The Terminator and Terminator 2 are the best and there is no other terminator movies for me afterT2

I just now watched The Terminator for the first time since I was a little kid. I've seen T2 many, many times and I had always thought of the first one as a low budget, good-for-what-it-is first attempt by James Cameron to make the film he REALLY wanted to with a big budget, which he eventually got to realize with T2. Upon revisiting The Terminator, I can say with confidence that it is not only the better of the two films, but among the greatest of great action films. The pacing of this film is absolutely unreal, and the economy of storytelling is legendary. It's a thrill ride with fully-fleshed-out science fiction themes of causality, destiny, and the unbreakable bond of family that are far more complex than one would anticipate from a genre film. The characters feel real, and we get to know them well enough to care about them deeply. When Kyle Reese dies, we feel genuine sorrow for Sarah's loss, and for to the life he never got to have. But the film ends on a somber yet hopeful tone that brings the story fully circle.

your voice over commentating the slo mo part actually makes the scene even more intense.

This movie influenced my youth so much, my first tattoo was of a bar code on my left forearm.

Excellent work, big fan of Terminator, hope to see more.

Currently binge watching your videos man. They're great, thanks for making them!

Very well said and thought out video. Thank you for taking the time and effort to create this perfect breakdown of an incredible scene!

One of my all-time favourite films. You've given me different perspectives from which I can appreciate the movie even more. Great video!

Thanks for your great and thoughtful insights with kickass narration

Extraordinarily well said. Spot on. The dance club scene is simply perfect. Great work on these videos!

Excellent analysis of what makes the action storytelling of this film work so well :)

dude your videos are just perfect.

Wow man, brilliant video. I've always felt there's so much more to Terminator than what most people perceive and you perfectly worded those things.

Sorry this is 4 years late but I grew up watching action movies, almost exclusively, and this sequence is the one that was burned in my mind as one of the best ever. Thank you for articulating why that is.

Great look at my favourite movie. You really broke it down a lot and encouraged me to think more about it.

Fantastic! I now appreciate this movie even more.

This movie is so important to me! I love this movie so much its part of the fabric of my life, it occupies my thoughts, it ignites my passion and powerful nostalgia. Thankyou JC

Another detail is how Reese struggles to get people out of his shooting line, further establishing how compassionate he truly is. Meanwhile, the Terminator Guns down everything in his way with not regard for collateral.

I'm very glad you broke down this scene. The club scene in the terminator is one of the best added action scenes in movie history. This is one of my favorite movies. Subscribed

WOW. Thank you, having been a Jim Cameron fan for 23 years, this has vastly expanded my appreciation of T1.

great work good to see your back

I loved this video! Great work and I look forward too more! I'm also very happy that you bring up that the 1st Terminator is a horror/sci-fi/thriller film. Everybody is so custom to say it's an action film (and it does have action elements), but I think that is due to T2 and the sequels being big action films. Glad I'm not the only one that thinks The Terminator is basically a futuristic slasher movie.

I very much agree. The first movie will always be my favorite in the series. Love the horror/thriller feel that the first one has. Plus the soundtrack is the best in the first one.

YOURE BACK

This short essay is so good, it gave me goosebumps! I tip my hat to you sir.

spot on analysis

Really enjoy your videos! Thank you!

I want to add the fact that sarah connor is lower in the frame next to kyle reese in most the scene until the transformation when she became the "sarah connor" of the future and it's around the truck explotion before entering the factory. in that scene she is higher than kyle, who had being shot and from there until the end of the movie she take the leadership. is a great example of a character evolution, supported by the mise e scene en scene. Love T1, best love story ever! " I came across time for you, Sarah. I love you; I always have.”

Always loved this film, but got to see it for the first time in theater a couple years ago on classic night before Genysis came out, as I wasnt born yet when it released originally. My girlfriend had never seen it before at all. Really gave me a new apreciation for this film, especially when we watched Genysis right after. This and Aliens are two of my favorite movies of all time, and will forever cement James Cameron as one of the greatest directors ever for me.

Fantastic breakdown mate

Sergio Leone didn't use slow-mo, but he used the concept. Dragging out the pre-violence and then the shots are fast! 2 geniuses: Leone and Cameron!

I just adore your channel. You provide concrete analysis based on theory. And you do it in such a way that is both educational and entertaining. I'm impressed by the technical level and production value in your videos. I mean, I enjoy watching reviews etc. However, videos like this one has content that is more unique. And then I just really love The Terminator. It's probably in my Top-3 of all-time-favourite films. Thank you very much for this video!

The voiceover-audio is just so damn crisp!

Great work - really interesting watch!

Just stumbled upon your channel and you have great content! Keep up the good work! I really like what you're doing! Its really nice having someone analyse actions film! Love you. :)

Just like many other things in life…goes to show that technology and money is no replacement for actual execution. The slow, Deliberate motion and details speak VOLUMES. No multimillion CGI experience in the world can replace that

*This specific version of Terminator theme song that you hear in the background is really hard to find on RU-vid nowadays.* 😞

You are back

he's back, Rossatron's back ,long time no see man,welcome,dont leave now :)

Great video. I remember doing a shot-by-shot analysis of the Tech-Noir scene when I was in College and my film professor had never even seen it. (for shame!) It blew my mind that if you watch it in slow-motion, the T-800 actually gets to fire off a shot at Sarah that barely missed before being knocked over by Kyle's shotgun blast, which I never knew before. For me, it actually made the tension of the scene that much more epic.

Welcome back!

Great video. Very informative.

Love this 😊

Another great video! This is another perfect movie for me. Every step is not out of place, even the music. The movie would not be the same if it didn't have intense terminator music. Even the Tech Noir music (You Got Me Burning) was perfect for the action/slow motion sequences. It is all just blended so flawlessly. Some movies are 90% good and have some mis-steps that seem out of place or could have been done better but not this one imo.

The more distorted theme given to this film made it really intense and creepy, fitting the mood of this movie perfectly. It was changed to be more motivational for the second as the second has a completely different tone and has to fit with the more action tone.

Terminator is a master piece...Terminator 2 is a like a second master piece

We agree: 1 of my tops ever too!

I just got it on bluray but my collection is mostly dvd still. It still looks really good. The pacing of the movie is really good and it keeps you watching. The slow mo scene at the bar is just awesome. I watched t2 way more times but t1 is something special for sure.

Damn, I've tried explain similar things and you outright nailed it.

I also really appreciate how Terminator II gave the audience some credit, when it came to explaining this stuff. Show Don't Tell in the sequel. They did a little of it, but when the T-1000 came out, and showed off all it's tricks, they didn't have to stop and explain that this is a more advanced liquid metal shape shifting Terminator. Yeah, we get that, and the T-800 in that played the part of Kyle Reese. Yeah, we get that too, because we saw The Terminator. Quite often, even in Franchises like Alien, where they didn't have to explain anything except for what the Nostromo was carrying, they stop, and explain "Previously on Alien" in AlienS, the sequel.

Man, I miss your video essays

Michael biehns such a underrated actor was used as a last minute replacement for another actor by Cameron as marine in aliens after original actor got in trouble with the Law and he owned corporal Hicks role brilliant there too.

The Terminator is a wonderful merging of The Forbin Project (and to some extent Wargames), and Cyborg 2087. So although not an original idea in itself The Terminator is a brilliant fusion of old ideas, that has seen it become a classic in its own right.

Excellent channel

great analysis

+Rossatron I have always loved The Terminator... But my mum - Meh! She overthinks it and has never liked it for its 'Illogical Story' - But JESUS if anyone could convince her to watch it its you! In fact, I am enjoying your work so much... There are so many other films I would love to hear you analyze... If only to give people a view point that 'Hey you don't like this film - but look, here is what you did NOT appreciate when you first saw it...' - Two great examples would be The Dark Crystal (A Film I love... But very under appreciated) and The Black Cauldron (Disney trying to go dark... It BOMBED but is it really that bad?) Great Work! Really want to see more....

''Everyone uses special effects to tell a story...I told a story and included special effects''. ~ George Lucas

Always appreciate a reminder of how good The Terminator is especially your point about the 1984 threat Sarah Conner is facing when she is at Tech Noir. It could still be a great film even if she is 'only' up against a human 'phonebook killer'. The way Cameron ups the ante by showing us the extent of the threat as you say, makes this film by far the best in the franchise.

great article!!!

This video has one huge flaw: it's too short!! Come on, don't be shy. This movie deserves it.

Man, T1 overall has this "cold" look and "feel" in its environments. Or maybe it is just me who saw and felt it that way.

the first movie is easily the best written movie from the entire series... T2 is groundbreaking in terms of special effects, and T-1000 is easily THE BEST villain in history of cinema, but T1 is still a superior movie...

"Excellent!"

When the terminator is running after kyle and sarah at the end of this clip is that the only time we have seen a terminator run? I know arnold walked fast during some scenes in T2 but i dont remember seeing a terminator flat out run (well other ten also in terminator genesis when young arnold runs towards old arnold in their fight)

Another point. When Kyle gets out his shotgun and is rushing to push people aside to get a clear shot, because of good editing, you always feel as if he is going to be just too late. This of course adds to the suspense.

excellent videos....u have a new subscriber

never forget the comics! some of my favorites that made a just as great as sequel as judgment made, plus the soundtrack(X

James Cameron is the master of his kind His *editing* his *build up* his way of *building character* & *tension* My favorite work of his is Titanic I hope you can make an essay about it I know you mostly review & create essays on action films but i believe it's worth your attention At times it can be horror & At Times it carries drama & as the movie progresses you feel the chaos growing getting out of hand & stakes feel real enough that you care not only about Jack & Rose but other poeple like those musicians & the architect Mr.Andrews and so on.

Such a good movie

The Terminator is a classic. I'm 21, and I use to watch this everyday on Video Tape

This is by far one of the best uses of slow motion in films. Too many directors overuse slow motion to show bullets fly or punches impacting....in Terminator it's used to built tension of an immediate threat, a do or die moment then erupts. Quite frankly it's brilliant.