90s Movie Review - Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Director: James Cameron
Genre: Action/ Science-Fiction
Runtime: 137 minutes
Year: 1991
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick

Description: A cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger), identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), must now protect her young son, John Connor (Edward Furlong), from a more advanced cyborg, made out of liquid metal.

Review: “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is the proof that sequels can be better than the original. Where “Terminator” was already an amazing movie, this movie manages to top that. Because many sequels have repetition, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is new and original and one of the best movies in the genre.

This is partly because of the script by James Cameron, who also directed the film. He gives enough new insights to keep the movie fresh and spectacular.

Arnold Scharzenegger and Linda Hamilton both return, but their roles are different this time. Arnie plays a good Terminator. He was send back in time to protect John Connor. Sarah Connor is admitted in a mental institution, because she keeps telling everyone that machines will kill everyone. This so called judgment day will wipe out all of humanity. Another, more advanced, Terminator was also send back in time. His task is to kill John Connor.

This is definitely the highlight of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career. This guy breaths action and his one-liners are classic and quotable. Linda Hamilton portrays one of the most memorable female ass-kickers and Robert Patrick as the evil Terminator, does a fantastic job to portray him as cold as steel.

“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is the best movie of that year and probably even the best science fiction/ action movie ever made.

Rating: 5/ 5

80s Movie Review - The Terminator

Director: James Cameron

Genre: Action/ Science Fiction/ Thriller

Runtime: 108 minutes

Year: 1984

Starring: Arnold Schwarzengger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Lance Henriksen, Paul Winfield, Bess Motta, Earl Boen, Rick Rossovish, Dick Miller, Shawn Schepps, Bruce M. Kerner, Franco Columbu, Bill Paxton, Brad Rearden, Brian Thompson

Description: A human soldier (Michael Biehn) is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine (Arnold Schwarzenegger), sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman (Linda Hamilton) whose unborn son is the key to humanity’s future salvation.

Review: Who would have dared to think that “The Terminator” would be a successful classic that still has a huge fan base to this day. The film directed by James Cameron was launched in the 80s as a B-movie, but the success was unprecedented. I am also a huge fan of the film, partly thanks to the special effects that were amazing at the time. And of course the way Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays the murderous cyborg, what eventually became his most iconic role.

Young Sarah Connor becomes the target of a maniacal cyborg who was sent to the past to murder the mother of the future resistance leader John Connor. In the future mankind will fight against murderous machines that seized power after a nuclear war. The resistance sends soldier Kyle Reese to the past to protect the unsuspecting Sarah and eliminate the ruthless cybernetic organism.

It was Schwarzenegger’s breakthrough role and since then it’s hard to picture anyone else in the role. Because he wasn’t director James Cameron’s first choice. Not, everyone knows Schwarzenegger and his most memorable role, even if they never saw any of the Terminator films.

The film is over 30 years old and the action film still impresses. Especially the scene in the dance club is very iconic and well-crafted. “The Terminator” is a dark and exciting film that contains a depressing atmosphere and bombastic action. It’s a great film that entertains from start to finish. I still think the sequel from 1991 is better, but “The Terminator” is, without a doubt, one of the best sci-fi action films out there.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

80s Movie Review - Predator

Director: John McTiernan
Genre: Action/ Horror/ Thriller/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 1987
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Shane Black

Description: A team of commandos on a mission in a Central American jungle find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior.

Review: Like “Alien”, predator is not of this world. When in “Alien” a group of astronauts discover this life form on a distant planet, in “Predator” it visits us on planet earth. It hunts and preys on humans during hot summers.
Dutch is the leader of a special units group of commandos, who get send out in the jungle of Guatamala to find a hostage. Not the hardest task for this group, but that’s just the beginning. When an unknown being starts killing his men.
“Predator” is influenced by “Alien”, who would eventually meet up in some cross-over movies. The first half hour of the film is a typical 80s action movie. When they took down all the guerillas, it seems like the end. But it’s just getting started.
“Predator” is a combination of horror, violence and a dose of action, but is also filled with some really cool one-liners from Arnold Schwarzenegger. The special effects are a bit dater, but the design of Predator itself still impresses.
“Predator” is one of the 80s movies I love watching, mainly because of Arnie.

Rating: 4 / 5

Marry, Kiss, Cliff - Round 13

Round 13: James Bond (“Bond”-series), Jonathan Trager (“Serendipity”) and Dutch (“Predator”)

Marry: I would definitely marry Jonathan Trager. The things he does to find the love of his life, that’s just amazing.

Kiss: I choose muscles, I would go for Dutch! He’s the real deal when it comes to tough guys. And he also has some cool one-liners.

Cliff: I’m sorry James, but you’re going down. He’s actually a male slut and technically he’s also an alcoholic. He drinks way to much martinis. And when I push him off a cliff, he would probably survive in some mysterious way. With flying shoes or a parachute up his sleeve.

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 107: Escape Plan

Director: Mikael Håfström

Genre: Action/ Drama

Runtime: 116 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Caviezel, Amy Ryan, Sam Neill, Vincent D’Onofrio, Vinnie Jones, Curtis Jackson

Description: When a structural-security authority (Sylvester Stallone) finds himself set up and incarcerated in the world's most secret and secure prison, he has to use his skills to escape with help from the inside.

Review: After “The Expendables” there is another movie starring two of the biggest action stars: Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. It follows the story of Ray Breslin, who tests prisons on security. He gets locked up voluntarily and then tries to break out to show the prison’s weaknesses. When Ray gets the offer to test a new prison, he doesn’t doubt one second, but the minute they take him in he does start to doubt it. The warden says he doesn’t know him, Ray’s evacuation code doesn’t work and it seems impossible to escape without knowing the blue print of the prison or help from the outside.

“Escape Plan” starts like a typical prison break movie. Like the stereotypical prisoners: the man who can get things, the white Aryan, the sadistic guard. More important than the actions is the interaction between them and the ingenious way to escape. The movie has many imperfections and the solutions are sometimes so far-fetched, it doesn’t help its credibility. Besides, the most secure prison in the world looks very futuristic. It could have been a cinematographic good looking piece, with the feeling you’re always watched and more depth and perspective. The first 20 minutes weren’t all that great. Once Arnold Schwarzenegger enters the stage, it becomes fun. It’s just fun to see Schwarzenegger and Stallone together, because I grew up with those guys. The planning of the break out and the interaction between the two is entertaining as hell. The scenes in the prison were cool, as soon as they cut away from the prison I was bored.

You get what you expect from Stallone and Schwarzenegger, and I think that’s we love about them. Every movie fan is just thrilled about the idea of those two together, and so was I. I would pay money to see a movie with the dumbest plot ever if Stallone and Schwarzenegger star in it. Jim Caviezel, as the warden, was a pretty good bad guy by the way. That surprised me. Other characters and actors didn’t impress me very much.

I didn’t expect anything good and this movie isn’t very surprising. But it’s enjoyable to watch and it entertained me.

Rating: 3/ 5

Best & Worst: Arnold Schwarzenegger

He may not be the best actor in the world, be Arnold Schwarzenegger is one hell of an entertaining guy. He has quite a few bad flicks, but also many great and memorable movies. Here are my picks for best and worst Arnold Schwarzenegger movies.

  

 

Probably not the most surprising pick, but it’s just the truth. “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is an awesome movie, a movie that can even make the tough guys cry. Schwarzenegger is the perfect actor for this role and he nails it!

Honorable Mentions: “Total Recall”, “Predator”, “True Lies”, “Last Action Hero”, “The Running Man”, “The Terminator”

 

 

Well, it is in fact one of the worst movies ever made. Nothing makes sense in this movies, not even Arnie’s well known one-liners. And he was really trying to make it good, it’s just isn’t

Dishonorable Mentions: “Junior”

Quotables: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

It is my brother’s favorite movie and also one of mine. So, why not share the best quotes from that movie with you. Here we go…

The Terminator: Why do you cry?

John Connor: You mean people?

The Terminator: Yes.

John Connor: I don't know. We just cry. You know, when it hurts.

The Terminator: Pain causes it?

John Connor: No, it's when there's nothing wrong with you, but you hurt anyway. You get it?

The Terminator: No.

The Terminator: I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.

Cigar Biker: You forgot to say please...

 

 

Sarah Connor: [voiceover] Watching John with the machine, it was suddenly so clear. The terminator, would never stop. It would never leave him, and it would never hurt him, never shout at him, or get drunk and hit him, or say it was too busy to spend time with him. It would always be there. And it would die, to protect him. Of all the would-be fathers who came and went over the years, this thing, this machine, was the only one who measured up. In an insane world, it was the sanest choice.

Dr. Silberman: You broke my arm!

Sarah Connor: There's 215 bones in the human body. That's one.

The Terminator: [John starts to cry] What's wrong with your eyes?

[the T-1000 has fallen into a vat of molten steel]

John Connor: Is it dead?

The Terminator: Terminated.

John Connor: You just can't go around killing people.

The Terminator: Why?

John Connor: What do you mean why? 'Cause you can't.

The Terminator: Why?

John Connor: Because you just can't, OK? Trust me on this.

[the Terminator has promised not to kill anybody, but to get into the hospital he shoots the guard in the legs]

The Terminator: He'll live.

 

 

John Connor: Jesus, you were gonna kill that guy.

The Terminator: Of course; I'm a terminator.

John Connor: We got Skynet by the balls now, don't we?

Sarah Connor: [to The Terminator] So, what's your story?

John Connor: You're not here to kill me - I figured out that for myself. So what's the deal?

The Terminator: My mission is to protect you.

John Connor: Yeah? Who sent you?

The Terminator: You did. Thirty-five years from now you reprogrammed me to be your protector here - in this time.

John Connor: This is deep...

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 49: The Expendables 3

Director: Patrick Hughes

Genre: Action/ Adventure

Runtime: 126 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Kelsey Grammer, Antonio Banderas, Glen Powell, Victor Ortiz, Ronda Rousey, Kellan Lutz, Jet Li 

Description: Barney (Sylvester Stallone) augments his team with new blood for a personal battle: to take down Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), the Expendables co-founder and notorious arms trader who is hell bent on wiping out Barney and every single one of his associates.

Review: It’s again time for an adventure with some of our favorite action stars: “The Expendables 3”. As the driving engine behind the film series, Sylvester Stallone managed to find some new actors. Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson and Harrison Ford are added to the cast. Alongside the ‘oldies’, we also get some new young stars. Kellan Lutz is probably the only one that will ring a bell. Bruce Willis isn’t part of it anymore.

The movie starts with a lot of action. Barney and his team have to save an ex-Expendable, named Doctor Death. During their next mission, Barney finds out that Stonebanks, an Expendable gone bad, is still alive. All he wants is to go up against him one more time, especially after severely injuring Caesar. Barney doesn’t want his other friends to get hurt, so he decides to set up a new team. But it’s not that easy to exchange experience.

Just like how The Rolling Stones still keep coming back and fill concert halls, “The Expendables 3” will attract audience. The storyline is never the strong point, although there is a more emotional side to it this time.

Introducing Wesley Snipes and Antonio Banderas to the franchise is a smart move. Their loud characters often manage to make you laugh. The search for the new generation, led by Kelsey Grammer, is more fun than the new group itself. All of them are easily replaceable. Mel Gibson is very convincing as the villain.

The action is again of a high level. If you liked the previous movies in this series, “The Expedables 3” gives you again what you expect. The formula hasn’t stopped working yet and another sequel isn’t unthinkable.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 134: The Expendables 2

Director: Simon West

Genre: Action/ Adventure

Runtime: 102 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Liam Hemsworth, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, terry Crews, Jean-Claude van Damme, Chuck Norris, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture

Description: Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.

Review: The first movie, “The Expendables” from 2010, was a disappointment for many people. At least for a movie with almost every big action star in Hollywood, fans were expecting a great action no-brainer. I found it highly enjoyable and I was happy to see a sequel.

The stars from the first film are all present. Barney Ross and his companions are send to Eastern Europe to intercept a safe with classified information in it. This simple operation fails and it falls into the wrong hands.

There isn’t anything more to say about the story. From the start of the film, action is all over the place. It’s badass and non-stop entertainment. It’s great to see the old tough guys show their muscles. The movie is filled with humor, shoot outs and explosions. “The Expendables 2” stays fun and especially the combination of action and wit is great. And some cheesy one-liners, (please don’t take them too seriously) are present as well. It’s clear that all the actors enjoyed making this movie.

The story is bad and some scenes are a bit odd. And dialogues with more than five sentences are hard to find. Why is this movie so much fun? It’s an adrenaline rush, pure action from beginning ‘till end. It’s exactly what you would expect from a movie like “The Expendables 2”, so no disappointments.

I don’t feel guilty liking this second movie. It’s very entertaining and a guarantee for a great movie night.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 44: The Last Stand

Director: Kim Jee-Woon
Genre: Action
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville, Peter Stormare, Rodrigo Santoro, Luis Guzmán, Jamie Alexander

Description: The leader of a drug cartel busts out of a courthouse and speeds to the Mexican border, where the only thing in his path is a sheriff (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his inexperienced staff.

Review: With the comeback of action star Arnold Schwarzenegger you expect muscles, cool one-liners and explosive action. They are all present, but not like back in his glory days. But his role as sheriff of a dull town is perfect for him and his constraints.
The escape of Cortez is spectacular, but because he spends most time in a racecar you don’t take him too seriously as a villain. There is not a lot of tension when it comes to confrontation with Cortez. Peter Stormare, as sidekick villain Burrell, is a more intimidating bad guy. The last shootout in the town is the most exciting scene of the movie and we see that Arnie is still one of the best action heroes. He even busts out a couple of fun one-liners.
Director Kim Jee-Woon made a visually good looking movie and the camerawork is also pretty impressive. Arnold Schwarzenegger is in his element as sheriff. He’s still not a fantastic actor, but I always like to watch his films. Arnie is back!

Rating: 3/ 5

Best of... Arnold Schwarzenegger

Now he's the gouvenor of California, but he used to be a succesful Hollywood actor. Not one of the best, but he certainly made some fun movies and I think he one of the most beloved action heroes. Here are my favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger films.

"The Terminator"
I think this was his big break. In the first Terminator movie, he was a bad guy and he was after Sarah Connor. Complex plot, but super original.

"Commando"
A great 80's action flick! It's not one of his best, but surely worth watching. If you like action, you like this.

"Predator"
How awesome is this! "Predator" is so creepy and Arnold was so cool. When I saw it for the first time I seriously thought he was the most amazing soldier ever.

"The Running Man"
An 80's film but way ahead of its time. This movie is a parody of today's reality TV shows. And Arnold proves that he doesn't only have muscles, he can actually act.

"Total Recall"
This is an intelligent and complex science fiction thriller with all sorts of strange things going on. The futuristic cabdrivers called Johnny Cab and the alien stripper with three boobs. Classic!

"Kindergarten Cop"
I always found this quite enjoyable. Arnie goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher. It's just a lot of fun, a no brainer.

"Terminator 2: Judgement Day"
His best movie and also one of the best movies ever made. Normally sequels can't live up to the first one, but in this series the second is the best. It's an absolute must-see classic.

"Last Action Hero"
This movie isn't supposed to be taken seriously, because it's sort of a parody on action movies in general. That what I like about it. I can watch this movie over and over again.

"True Lies"
Arnie is like an American James Bond. And everything is over the top, which makes it so funny. He works so well together with Jamie Lee Curtis, awesome duo.

"Jingle All the Way"
It's on TV every Christmas. I know almost everyone hates this movie, but I secretly like it. Well, now it's not a secret anymore is it.

"End of Days"
I remember seeing it in the cinema. I liked Arnie's character Jericho, a depressed and drunk man who didn't really understand the meaning of life anymore. It was a different side of him. The movie was very up to date, right before 2000 would start. Great special effects as well.

"The Sixth Day"
Good action, neat visuals and a pretty good plot. Nice movie about clones, I think a must for Schwarzenegger fans.

He also made some really bad ones, I'm not going to mention them. I heard today that he's going to be in the fifth installment of Terminator, which is awesome! And he's also rumored to be in a movie called "The Last Stand".