EW now revisits Cameron’s oeuvre to deliver a ranked list of his films, from worst to best.
So, just where do killer robots rank against blue-skinned aliens?
How well do secret agents fare against an aching romance between young lovers on a sinking ship?
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Keep reading to find out.
There is not much plot in this particular film.
Ultimately, though,Piranha IIis a movie that doesn’t know what it wants to do or be.
Xenogen Production
It quickly overcomes the young man before his companion arrives in her own robotic craft.
Arguably, the real star here is Cameron’s miniatures work.
The other striking thing aboutXenogenesisis just how hard Cameron hit the ground running as a filmmaker.
Disney
Is there any wonder Cameron would return to these potent ideas again and again for future inspiration?
And that’s the rub.
Is it still good?
Disney/Walden Media
Is itasgood, though?
In this way, Cameron hopes to inspire a future generation of creators, explorers, and thinkers.
In his own rewatch, EW’s Darren Franichaccurately calls the movie outfor its “sparkly-strange pessimism.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis in ‘True Lies’.Zade Rosenthal/20th Century Fox
As usual, Cameron populates his cinematic world with great actors.
The performances are great, and the VFX still put most effects-heavy movies to shame all these years later.
However, how high you personally rankAvatardepends on whether you think a movie can sustain itself on vibes alone.
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During the quiet scenes, you may find yourself asking questions: How did Jake Sully get disabled?
What happened to the Earth?
Schwarzenegger blends in just enough comedy and charm to make most scenes memorable.
Arnold Schwarzenegger in ‘The Terminator’ (1984).Everett Collection
The humans, specifically, have an intimate bond that is instantly relatable.
Nobody in the movie does the latter quite like Cameron favorite Michael Biehn.
Still, a shrewd Cameron seemed to understand that no war can last forever.
20th Century Fox/Everett
The Terminator (1984)
There has been a critical tendency to examineThe Terminatoras a spiritual follow-up to Cameron’sXenogenesis.
Furthermore, Cameron sees this apocalyptic tale as one that established some of his most resonant messages.
That’s not as peculiar as it sounds.
20th Century Studios
Aliens (1986)
Among horror and sci-fi fans, there is an endless debate: IsAlienorAliensthe better movie?
In reality, the debate is moot because these are entirely different kinds of films.
However, inAliens,as EW’s critic pointed out, “Subtlety went out the window.”
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One reason the CGI still works so well is it’s anchored by amazing practical effects.
But another reason the effects remain believable is that they always play second-fiddle to the characters.
The returning stars have been transformed, both internally and externally.
Linda Hamilton returns as Sarah Connor, but this is no frazzled waitress.
Great VFX and action sequences already make this movie quite memorable.
As Sarah Connor reminds us, “The future is not set.
There is no fate but what we make for ourselves.”
