--- title: "The Terminator: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-terminator/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-terminator" critics_score: 89 critics_reviews: 7 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Terminator (1984): what the critics said Critics' score 89 from 7 reviews: 7 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are consistently positive, with praise centred on James Cameron’s tight direction, sustained tension and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s casting as the relentless cyborg. Critics repeatedly credit the film’s momentum to economical storytelling and sharp writing, rather than action alone. Schwarzenegger’s machine-like performance is the clearest point of agreement, while Linda Hamilton earns praise for grounding the science-fiction threat in Sarah Connor’s bewilderment and growing awareness. Several reviews also find that the film retains its force despite dated details. The differences are chiefly matters of emphasis, with no substantial dissent over whether the thriller works. Time Out notes minor weaknesses in the make-up and one dated scene, but treats them as small distractions. The New York Times has a more consequential reservation: the volume of mayhem dulls some scenes. Even that review praises the suspense and performances, leaving the consensus firmly favourable rather than divided. ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 5/5. The review highlights the powerhouse strengths of Cameron’s original hi-tech nightmare and its perfect casting of Schwarzenegger as the violent cyborg and Hamilton as the bewildered waitress. Maximum excitement is generated from the first frame through to the climax, with witty writing and sharp detail in hard sci-fi action. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-rcvi5t/the-terminator/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 5/5. 15 June 2015. The critic calls James Cameron’s 1984 sci-fi cheapie damn close to perfect and ridiculously great, with slam-bang direction, relentless pace, sharp dialogue and driving synth score. Minor flaws are noted in makeup and one dated scene, but everything else works. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-terminator) ## Empire — Clark Collis Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2011. The critic hails the film as a chillingly efficient thriller whose success stems from Cameron's obsessive determination despite limited resources and studio skepticism. Schwarzenegger's iconic, robotic performance as the unstoppable cyborg is singled out as the element that turned the modest production into a cultural phenomenon. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/terminator-review/) ## The AV Club — Tom Breihan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 9 September 2016. The piece celebrates the film as a game-changing, relentlessly tense action-sci-fi hybrid that launched Schwarzenegger as a star and influenced the genre. Cameron is praised for his virtuoso focus and tension-building, with Linda Hamilton highlighted for grounding the story. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-terminator-makes-arnold-a-star-and-changes-action-c-1798251750) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 25 June 2015. The film stands up tremendously well after 31 years with outrageous verve and blistering excitement. Cameron could stand toe to toe with Carpenter and Spielberg on the strength of this picture, with Schwarzenegger's performance singled out as tremendous and essential. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/25/the-terminator-review-return-of-the-classic-80s-action-behemoth) ## Evening Standard — Alexander Walker Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The re-issue review praises the 1984 sci-fi thriller for its enduring appeal as a tense time-travel story. Schwarzenegger is highlighted as hulking and menacing in the role that defined his early screen persona. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-terminator-7433336.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Ellis 24 October 2014. The critic praises the film as a taut, visceral sci-fi actioner and the best of its kind since The Road Warrior. Schwarzenegger is singled out as perfectly cast and the standout element, with Cameron commended for lean, economical direction. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/terminator-review-movie-1984-743708/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin 26 October 1984. The film is a B-movie with flair and suspense, with Schwarzenegger well cast as the monster automaton sent from the future. The story follows Sarah Connor's growing awareness of the threat and is carried engagingly by Hamilton and Biehn, though excessive mayhem dulls some scenes. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/26/movies/the-screen-terminator-suspense-tale.html) ## Variety — Variety Staff 31 December 1983. The Terminator is a blazing cinematic comic book full of virtuoso moviemaking, terrific momentum, solid performances and a compelling story. The clever script and Schwarzenegger's machine-like portrayal as the cyborg are singled out as strengths. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1983/film/reviews/the-terminator-1200425896/) ## Collider — William Fischer Rating B. 26 October 2022. The critic views the film as a modest, low-budget production whose small scale and practical effects enhance its appeal rather than detract from it. They highlight the effective character arc for Sarah Connor and the tense, character-driven story amid its action elements. [Read the review](https://collider.com/terminator-review-james-cameron-arnold-schwarzenegger-small-story/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-terminator.md