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The Terminator

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Terrific sci-fi action, but too violent for some.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Though the heroes' goal is ultimately a noble one -- save the future from decimation by robots and other machines -- the movie's bleak, dark tone and frequent bloody violence makes it hard to think of this as a positive movie.
  • Role models :

    The heroes are ultimately pacifists, although they, as well as the villain, use killing as a means to solve problems. Sarah Connor is one of cinema's most powerful female action heroes.
  • Violence:

    Graphic and gory violence, with lots of fights, explosions, and car accidents. There's a very high body count.
  • Sex:

    Some partial nudity (buttocks, breasts) -- some of which is sexual and some of which isn't. Implied sex and passionate kissing.
  • Language:

    Several uses of "f--k"; other words include "s--t," "a--hole," "damn," "bitch," "goddamn," and more.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adult characters drink in a bar; some smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Terminator

Parents need to know that kids will want to see this film due to its reputation as a "classic" action film and the fact that it stars Arnold Schwarzenegger. But this isn't the sweet, exasperated Arnold of Kindergarten Cop or the comedic action hero of True Lies -- or even the huggable father stand-in of Terminator 2 and 3. This is a relentless, shark-eyed killer Arnold. His systematic destruction of the inhabitants of Los Angeles is unsettling even for adults. Expect virtually nonstop tension and violence, as well as swearing (including "f--k"), some partial nudity, drinking, and smoking.

Read our full review by Ken Feil

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the conventions of action movies and director James Cameron's statements regarding corporate culture, unchecked technological development, and nuclear war.
  • What do you think of Sarah Connor's transformation from sweet, defenseless damsel-in-distress to strong and independent action hero?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about The Terminator?
  •  I think this movie is

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See all 37 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    Tooooo bad for kids under 17+. Big nudity problems toooo much killing! Look out for language.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Great sci-fi movie, James Cameron has done it again. Not sure about the sex scene though, that could have been cut down. Quite a bit for swearing goes on, but what can you expect in a movie like this?

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    I agree with Common Sense.

    Everybody loves robots, from Robby, to R2-D2, to this. This is an extremely violent classic, but it's okay for teens and up. It's not just the violence that makes this a no-go for little kids - it's the sex. The movie has 2 sex scenes in it, but overall, it's a great movie, and I really enjoyed it.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    give teens a chance to watch this kind of movie

    its not that bad in fact its my favorite movie

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    For tweens

    I thought this movie was as good as die hard. There was nudity though. There was topless female nudity for about 10 seconds,you see Arnold Shwarzenegger's butt too. They said the f-word 12 times. It was very violent. There was a bunch of explosions,tanks,bombs,guns,beatings,and you see skulls on the ground in the future. Overall I would say for 12+

  6. I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I WILL BE BACK, TO DO MORE REVIEWS ABOUT MOVIES!!!

    A Few arnold buttcheeks, and one extremely super QUICK sex scene! but other than that this film is a classic! WARNING! does have graphic violence and graphic language, but who cares!

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 4.0

    ON for 8+

    It's a great movie, a little violent.

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 4.0

    ON for 8+

    It's a great movie, a little violent.

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    great action flick

    Great actionn movie but the language was pretty strong. Like its pretty much F BOMBS. And 1 sex scene that show a quick flash of breasts but we all have to see them some times in our lives. But this hopefully dosnt stop ur teens from seeing this truely good classic.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Great movie, beats all sci fi's!

    Hmm, let me see, the sequel is amzing, the story line is one of the best iv ever known, hardlly any sexuall scenes, amazing acting and in the last bit of the 3 one "YOU ARE TERMINATED is the best line i have EVER herd! not that rude....12+

  12. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    Sublime!

    Just the way I like it- one long, excellent chase scene.

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    Il be Back!

    best movie i have seen other than desperado

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Great movie but very violent.

    This is definitely on of the vest movies in the terminator series . I am a big fan of all of these movies . But parents should know that there is there is a lot of violence and bad language . See it before you see Salvation this one is much better.

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    it shows two people having sex with the motions of it and naked breasts. without that its awesome!!! if you dont mind some strong language and violence

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    the movie was good but the graphics are crap

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0

    the best movie series ever!!!!!!

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    I saw it edited too

    This is a good movie! but note, i saw an edited t.v version, it still had issues though... 1.LOTS of violince, many people are shot with bloody wonds, and the terminator himself (with or without his skin on) may scare the younger audiances, The terminator is shot, lit on fire and blown up (but none of it works). 2. mild languge of the D--n variety 3. the sex scene is skiped altogeter, and people are naked when they arive from the future. So this is a clasic actin movie that teens can watch if it's edited on t.v!

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 4.0

    Pretty good

    Content: Sex: Two scenes of sex, so BEWARE Violence: OOdles of shooting, bullet wounds, and a man gouges a bullet out of his arm. He also cuts out his eye (not really shown). Language: About twenty to twenty-five profanities Overall, pretty good movie with absolutely amazing concept of time travel at the end.

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Terminator In Black & White Terms

    THE CONTENT: I wouldn't say you should see it unless your 14, but otherwise I don't see why not. It has a sex scene, but besides that the violence and language is tame by today's standards. THE MOVIE'S APPEAL: If you don't like this movie, you probably didn't like the Matrix or Alien (& Aliens)either. One of my friends thinks Matrix was weird and disturbing, so I wouldn't recommend Terminator to him. THE ACTUAL MOVIE: It's a classic. The action and effects are amazing. Kudos to James Cameron for his awesome screenplay and direction.

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