The Terminator remains a turning point for cinema, but there’s a very easy reason why none of the movie’s sequels have been able to match the power of the original movie.
Visionary director James Cameron is perhaps best known for his work on the Terminator movies; it’s been fascinating to watch how this franchise has developed and evolved over time from what was a fairly simple mix of genres in 1984. The Terminator is still a property that studios are trying to prove isn’t dead, but whether or not these movies have the involvement of James Cameron or Arnold Schwarzenegger, they still seem to fall short. The Terminator sequels have pushed the franchise to increasingly large places. There’s even a series of Terminator crossover comics that throw the characters into even more absurd situations.
Different strategies have been turned to with the hope of reviving the flailing series or even promising to return to the franchise’s roots. However, even when a new Terminator film does seemingly everything right and gives the fans what they want, it still fails to meet expectations. Directors and writers continue to turn themselves out of shape over this property, but there may in fact be a much simpler explanation for why no Terminator movie can match the heights of the original. It’s important to remember that the first Terminator film came out in 1984, when its concept was much more unique.
Time travel has become an increasingly popular medium in cinema, and as a result it seems less meaningful when the Terminator sequel plays with the concept – even if the franchise was one step ahead. Plus, genre hybrids are much more accessible now and aren’t seen as a risk like they were in the 70s and 80s. The Terminator is so effective because it successfully combines science fiction Another issue
that is often brought up is that many of the Terminator sequels retreat into old territory or delve into areas hinted at in previous films, such as Judgment Day.
RELATED:
Terminator vs. RoboCop and 3 More Epic “Vs.”
There’s only so much that can be done in this regard, and only so many different directions that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 can be taken before the structure starts to feel repetitive. Additionally, time travel is heavily incorporated into the story, but subsequent films take for granted what seems unique and complex about the first film. There’s nothing new about this premise at this point, and with each new Terminator film, the story becomes less important. People may try to reinvent The Terminator, but the brilliance of the original film’s impact is its own worst enemy.