Lecture Notes: Time Travel and Film Structure in the Terminator Franchise

Overview

The lecture discusses the time travel plot structure in the Terminator film series, particularly focusing on its philosophical and practical implications.
Key themes include nihilism, the predetermined nature of human choices, and the cyclical narrative structure.

The time loop suggests everything in the universe, including human choices, is predetermined.
The sudden appearance of the Terminator and Kyle Reese creates countless alterations in world events.
- Example: The punks killed by the Terminator will have no future offspring to influence history.
- Cops' deaths could lead to legislative changes affecting broader society.
Despite the film's narrative, lines like "the future is not set" suggest otherwise.

Terminator 2 is essentially a remake of the first film, featuring similar plot elements and dialogue.
The third Terminator film continues the cyclical pattern.
This repetition is common in cinema, often criticized for lack of originality.
Aliens is cited as a successful example of a sequel that expands the narrative.

Time travel in the storyline allows the film to be set in a relatable era, saving on special effects costs.
The focus on three characters personalizes the complex war narrative.

Arnold Schwarzenegger initially wanted to play Kyle Reese but was cast as the Terminator due to perceived acting limitations.
In Terminator 2, Arnie's role mimics Reese’s, allowing him to fulfill his initial aspiration.
Sarah Connor’s character in Terminator 2 mirrors Reese's from the first film, reinforcing the time loop logic.

Humans have a psychological tendency to repeat past positive experiences with improvements.
This is evident across media, where sequels often remake original stories with enhancements.

Robocop and The Thing borrow elements from Terminator and Alien respectively.
Successful remakes enhance the original experience, as seen in Terminator 2.

While Terminator 2 heavily leans on its remake factor, it succeeds by upgrading and enhancing the past narrative experience, achieving a balance between familiarity and innovation.