inri222

‘Terminator’s James Cameron & Gale Anne Hurd: Hasta La Vista To “Fear-Based” Studio Filmmaking

http://deadline.com/2014/10/terminat...avatar-854451/

brayzie

Pretty good read.

Solid Snake

Yeah. Thanks for the article.

Hokeyboy

I saw T1 in theaters when I was 13, back when it was just a fun little B-movie starring Conan. I dragged my Dad and sister who IIRC wanted to see that Tom Selleck sci-fi flick "Runaway" instead (which is good in its own way, but no T1).

We all came out blown away. That movie was lightning in a bottle for my 13-year-old self.

Getting kissed square on the lips by Linda Hamilton 28 years later turned me right back into that 13 year old

rocket1312

A few weeks ago I tried to suggest in one of the Marvel threads that while I have enjoyed many of them, the current glut of comic book movies makes me kind of sad because they basically come at the expense of other, original sci-fi/fantasy/action films. Needless to say, that went over about as well as a lead balloon. At least I know now that Cameron gets what I'm saying.

Solid Snake

There really aren't that many superhero flicks.

OldBoy

just saw this again over the weekend (bc of this thread) and man does it look good on BD. and damn if this movie doesn't hold up. damn fine entertainment!

Solid Snake

Yeah. It's really fucking lean. Not an ounce of fat to it. Does a lot w/ what is now very little.

The Valeyard

I was 13 when it came out in theaters. I think that was the first time I had ever seen a false ending in a movie (I didn't watch many horror films back then). When the Terminator steps out of the burning wreckage in full robotic mode, I lost my shit. Still one of the best movies ever made.

Why So Blu?

That's a cool scene but it always bugged me that it looks as if Michael Beihn was laughing for bit before he looked over at the robot rising from the fire. I always thought it was an awkward edit there, because they should have waited until the actors settled down before doing the scene.

rocket1312

Relative to the number of other big budget action/sci-fi/fantasy films? Sure there are.

But I digress, Terminator is awesome and I wish the studios weren't so afraid of original films.

Lastdaysofrain

I wonder how many of the second-unit's casting/filmaking things line up with Bess's memories.

It really is a lean movie that is kind of perfect. I think that with the hype of T2 behind us and being more objective it's clear to me that T2 is NOT better than the original.

Solid Snake

I like T2 more than T1 but...T1 is a beast.

inri222

rocket1312

It's been a while since I've seen T2, but it could easily be seen as nothing more than a big budget remake of the first film. No matter how well done it is, it loses quite a few points for originality when compared to the original.

However, what makes it more than just a glossy update (and what makes it work so well) is the way Cameron plays with the ideas of family, gender roles and relationships. The film also adds more layers to the original's ideas about fate and whether or not the future is predefined. I wouldn't call it high art, but at least an attempt was made to give the audience something new to chew on. I think that's all one can ask for in a sequel.

I feel like picking one over the other ultimately comes down to whether you gravitate more towards the gritty, exploitation style of the original, or the high gloss blockbuster that is T2. I saw T2 so many times growing up that I've never even watched my T2 Ultimate edition dvd. It's been sitting on my shelf for about 12 or 13 years. On the other hand, I make a point of revisiting the original every few years, so I guess I'd be in the camp that the The Terminator is better.

Shazam

The action in T2 is awesome. And I always enjoyed the fact that the T1000 was a skinny guy that beat the tar out of the T800.

Ky-Fi

I saw T2 in the theaters, and I remember it was a really great summer blockbuster, awesome to see it on the big screen. I think they did a great job of taking the characters and backstory and making it into a bigger, well-crafted film in it own right.

But yes, I agree that T1 is still the better movie, and one that I can revisit more often.

arminius

I've always liked T1 more. To me it was a great love story. T2 was a great action movie but T1 had way more heart.

Ky-Fi

Nice job with the interview, and she's easy to listen to, as well.

I don't recall my instructor mentioning a different choice for the female lead, but he did say that Cameron had originally written Linda Hamilton's role to be fairly minor, and the producer really pushed him for a change so that her character would have a stronger, much more central role.

He also said that Sting was the original choice to be the terminator, but he was going on tour (Synchronicity?) and not available when they needed him.

Lastdaysofrain

Thank you, Bess is great, really easy to interview.

Wow, I'd never heard either of those two bits of info before. That'd be a REALLY different movie.

Ky-Fi

Huh, I just googled Sting and Terminator to see if this rumor was out there in other places, and I guess Sting was slated to play Reese, not the terminator. That's probably what my instructor said, and I just remembered it wrong.

Why So Blu?

Lance Henriksen was originally going to play the Terminator but the studio said that they should get someone bigger. In fact - the early concept work of the Terminator has Lance as the cyborg. Those were drawn by Cameron himself. Also, Lance actually went in dressed like the Terminator into the pitch meeting.

inri222

Why So Blu?

Correct!

DthRdrX

I read that Arnold auditioned for the role of Kyle, which was originally wanted as the central character. He got shifted to the role of the Terminator which actually worked out better for his career. Also, I read that Cameron wanted a liquid terminator in T1 but technology would not allow it yet.