During a post-Civil War Wyoming winter, a stagecoach bearing a bounty hunter (Kurt Russell), his foul-mouthed prize (Jennifer Jason Leigh), an ex-Union officer (Samuel L. Jackson) and a lawman (Walton Goggins) makes it's way towards Red Rock. The worsening snows force them to shelter at a general store occupied by a caretaker (Demian Bichir), a cowboy (Michael Madsen), Red Rock's hangman (Tim Roth), and an aged Confederate general (Bruce Dern). As the blizzard traps them within-possibly with no escape-resentments, greed, and hidden agendas emerge that might destroy them before the elements do, in Quentin Tarantino's moody and stylish sagebrusher.
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This movie is like a greatest hits. It's got Tarantino alumni, broken storytelling, witty dialogue and blood, lots of it. At nearly three hours, the movie never gets boring but watching the blood splatter just got old. Sure that's one of the director's trademarks but at one point you just have to wonder, can he show us something else? The best part was Ennio Morricone's ominous score well worthy of the Oscar. Another thought, wouldn't the movie work better on the stage? It takes place in one room. Being filmed in Panavision 70mm seems a bit of a wasted opportunity. Good but not great, but I still look forward to his next film.
The Terminator features a wonderful 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that is remarkable for a film released back in 1984. A few specks of dirt appear on the print, but they're extremely minor and don't hinder the experience in any way. This disc includes a brand-new 5.1-channel Dolby Surround transfer that showcases a significant amount of power and depth. It also contains the original mono track, which lacks the strength of its companion but does have a balanced level of sound. This special edition of The Terminator contains an impressive collection of supplements that should please its many devout fans. The highlights are two well-done documentaries that provide plenty of background material. "Other Voices" is a comprehensive new extra that includes basically everyone involved with the film in a significant capacity. "The Terminator -- A Retrospective" features an informal conversation between James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1992 about their experiences making the film. The other major inclusion is seven deleted scenes that are more interesting than the usual throwaway moments. Cameron offers commentary on each cut and tries to explain why he made the deletion. There's also a large still gallery that contains numerous drawings and photographs in five categories. The most interesting section includes artwork by Cameron of his original concepts and storyboarded sequences. This disc offers fans a chance at reading Cameron's original film treatment. Written in 1982, it's very extensive and includes the basic structure for the final version. There are also several original theatrical trailers and television commercials included on this release.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Even though Judgement Day was a great follow up, I still prefer the original because of its unique story. The special effects are dated, but the action and performances are solid. Linda Hamilton rocks as the mother of human salvation. Michael Biehn is totally underrated. Arnold, however, steals the show. Absolutely scary and badass, he is the Terminator and pretty much tears up every scene. The action never lets up and that police station raid is the best part of the movie. Yes, JD knocked it out of the water, but the original is a classic.
Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) is an upstanding family man whose wife and daughter are brutally murdered during a home invasion. When the killers are caught, Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), a hotshot young Philadelphia prosecutor, is assigned to the case. Over his objections, Nick is forced by his boss to offer one of the suspects a light sentence in exchange for testifying against his accomplice. Fast forward ten years. The man who got away with murder is found dead and Clyde Shelton coolly admits his guilt. Then he issues a warning to Nick Either fix the flawed justice system that failed his family, or key players in the trial will die. Soon Shelton follows through on his threats, orchestrating from his jail cell a string of spectacularly diabolical assassinations that can be neither predicted nor prevented. Philadelphia is gripped with fear as Shelton's high-profile targets are slain one after another and the authorities are powerless to halt his reign of terror. Only Nick can stop the killing, and to do so he must outwit this brilliant sociopath in a harrowing contest of wills in which even the smallest misstep means death. With his own family now in Shelton's crosshairs, Nick finds himself in a desperate race against time facing a deadly adversary who seems always to be one step ahead.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Gerard Butler plays a family man who plots revenge on his wife and daughter's murderers and the judicial system who gave one of them a lighter sentence. "It's not what you saw. It's what you can prove in court," explains the DA played by Jaime Foxx. What happens afterward is a series of explosions, traps and bloodshed brought on by a man in solitary confinement. That's the best part of the movie. The script, however, is not as clever. "It's complicated. He's very smart and very angry," explains one character. All the actors commit to the bad dialogue and make for an entertaining thriller.