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There are some very memorable scenes as the flick develops. The one where Schwarzenegger goes into the gun shop to purchase his arsenal is extremely well done. From there, he sets out to complete his mission, offing all of the Sarah Connors of 20th century Los Angles. He doesn’t know which Connor will give birth to future leader of the resistance. Kyle Reese is able to locate Sarah first and protect her, establishing the relationship which is the basis of the entire story. The scene where the Terminator tracks her down has everyone on the edge of their seats, as the confrontation between the human and the machine is a pretty nasty mismatch. It is great action and quite fun.

The climax of the film begins when the terminator attacks the police station where Reese and Connor have been detained, and the machine’s path of destruction is heartless and terrifying. His ability to take out those who keep law and order is a nice foreshadowing of things to come. There are a few memorable motorcycle/truck chase scenes, and the overall pacing is intense. With Schwarzenegger’s likeness burned away we accept his performance was as terrifying as the scary, skull faced, red-eyed killer we see at the end.

To mark its significance, the American Film Institute tagged the Terminator as the 22nd greatest villain of all time.

5. True Lies (1993)

This is an action/romantic comedy, and viewers have to accept the weaving of the chase scenes and marriage storyline. The truth is, though, much of the gunfighting, fast speed chases, and humor are so well done, going along for the ride isn’t much of an issue. Schwarzenegger teamed with Cameron again for this one, and it’s a treat.

This movie has him taking on the role of Harry Tasker, a counter terrorism agent by day, and a busy computer salesman as far as his family is concerned. The double life aspect of his character works really nicely, as he has been able to pull the wool over the eyes of his wife (Jamie Lee Curtis) and family for years. As the story develops, Tasker finds himself investigating the whereabouts of a number of nuclear missiles that have come up missing within the former Soviet Union. Through his investigation he becomes aware of a Middle Eastern terrorist group involved in transporting the missiles. As all of his time is devoted to catching the bad guys, the working dad part of his double life becomes more difficult to maintain.

This is wonderfully played out during a heart pumping but crazy enjoyable chase scene where one of the villains drives a motorcycle around fast moving cars onto the ground floor of a skyscraper. Schwarzenegger’s character pursues on a horse, into the building. What could have been senseless and overdone ends up lighthearted and enjoyable. After the chase is over, he must return home bruised and dirty, having missed his own birthday. It is surprisingly entertaining.

The humor turns a little risky when Mrs. Tasker is tempted by another man, and Mr. Tasker calls in all of his authority as a U.S. government agent to put a stop to it. Scenes that seem like they won’t work are pulled off amazingly well, partially because of Schwarzenegger’s ability to play anger and anguish at the same time. The film goes to great lengths to achieve interwoven plot lines of deception and comedy, and Bill Paxton as the used car salesman preying on bored house wives evokes cringes and laughter. The relationship arc between the Taskers takes a little long to develop, but it does bring out plenty of laughs.

Finally the end of the movie provides a one-of-a-kind action sequence on the back of a harrier jet. Viewers attempt to push away their own fear of heights as Arnold tries to save his daughter from falling and battling a religious fanatic at the same time - all on the back of a harrier jet, suspended just a few feet from the top of a skyscraper.

True Lies is good fun, and takes the final spot in Schwarzenegger’s Top Five.

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