Simple question: which is the superior trilogy, Terminator or Matrix? And I certainly hope these once proud franchises remain trilogies judging by their respective downward arcs.
I'm voting Terminator because I give Matrix 1 the nod over T2, the latter Matrices suck and the other Terminators I found entertaining.

The original matrix would be my favorite film of all time, but the terminator trilogy is better (even though 3 sucked), due to the strength of both the first and second installment.
While I guess reloaded and revolutions were somewhat decent, overall terminator is the better trilogy.

Good question. Both franchises follow a similar path: a modest sci-fi/fantasy story gets increasingly convoluted and ridiculous with each installment.

I'd maybe say Terminator, because the first one is much more effective than the first Matrix. Terminator 2, for all the problems I have with the script and such, is a pinnacle of action cinema. The fact that T3 aspires to be no more than a solid B-style action movie is a plus for me, as treating the subject with too much seriousness eventually becomes a detriment.

The Matrix trilogy however, despite my dislike for the first one, is a tighter series. That's because of the shorter time frame between the production of each film. The big plus is Reloaded and Revolutions together are much more imaginative than the last two Terminators.

So each series has one installment I don't really like (the first Matrix and T2). Both series' overall story arcs suffer because of that odd "tacked on" quality between certain films. Overindulgence is common in both series. I give the Matrix Trilogy the edge because it closed itself out in, what I find, a fascinating manner (and I'm not really talking about the story, more the film as a whole).

Any one of the 3 Terminator movies is better than all 3 Matrix movies IMO.

No brainer - two excellent and one good Terminator film versus one excellent and two poor Matrix films. Terminator wins hands down.

Terminated! Terminator gets my vote.

Reloaded had its problems, but Revolutions sucked in a bad way.

Terminator for me. Another good thing about Terminator is that you can understand the storyline.

Another vote for Terminator.

You took the words right out of my mouth. Even before The Matrix sequels came out, I had trouble sitting through all of the first Matrix, the middle just drags. And I would have to say that both James Cameron and Jonathon Mostow are better directors than the Wachowskis.

w3rd

Yes, I believe this sums it up quite nicely...

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

No brainer - The Matrix movies for me. While there isn't a movie in each trilogy that i dislike, the world that the Wachowski Bros created for the Matrix is amazing, and only rivaled by LOTR.

The thinking person's appeal of the Matrix wins narrowly over the action appeal of Terminator. I'd call both openers a wash, but I thought the latter chapters of Matrix were much more interesting than the latter chapters of Terminator.

3 Great Terminator flix

vs.

1 Great & 2 OK Matrix flix

= winner: Terminator

It's amazing how far The Matrix's stock has fallen since this time last year, isn't it?

Definitely Terminator, Keanu Reeves gets annoying with those 1 liners. Just watch the Will Ferrell skit he did on Matrix Reloaded.

Matrix> Terminator

Matrix Reloaded<Terminator 2

Matrix Revolutions<Terminator 3


Terminator wins.

T3 completely invalidated the point of the first two and sets up for another sequel.

Matrix.

Matrix ripped off half of its ideas from Terminator anyways (and yes, I know Terminator ripped off ideas too)

Terminator by far....

If you were to compare the first movies in the series I would have to say I like them almost equally... when you add in the 2nd and 3rd movies in the series Terminator blows Matrix away.

Terminator, easy. The first two Terminator films are incredible. The same can only be said of the first Matrix film.

Not surprised, with all the hatred on this forum for the Matrix, the way this thread is going to be going.

Yep, I'll definitely second that.