As a connoisseur of B-movies and low-budget action flicks, I must say these two films, “Nemesis” and “Gunhed,” are right up my alley! While they may not have the polish or budget of their more famous counterparts, they deliver on the gritty, cyberpunk action that we all crave.
As a passionate movie enthusiast, it’s no easy feat to truly grasp the magnitude and impact that James Cameron’s masterpiece, “Terminator,” has had on the cinematic landscape. This groundbreaking film swept across the globe, leaving audiences spellbound, and single-handedly reignited the flame of interest in the captivating realm of science fiction. Its unique blend of genres and pioneering special effects set a new standard for visual storytelling, catapulting Arnold Schwarzenegger to stardom and introducing us to one of the most iconic sci-fi protagonists – Sarah Connor. The film’s dialogue, particularly the unforgettable line “I’ll be back,” has become part of the cultural vernacular, a testament to its enduring influence. And I must confess, at some point in my life, I too have found myself uttering that phrase with all the gravitas I could muster, channeling my inner Arnold.
The popularity of the “Terminator” series ranks among the greats such as “Jaws,” “Evil Dead,” “Halloween,” and “Alien.” Each of these franchises sparked numerous imitations, a testament to their enduring influence. In a sense, imitation is the highest form of flattery, even with the imperfections in each installment, there’s something charming about how they attempted to capitalize on the “Terminator” phenomenon in their unique ways. From various regions and spanning two decades, the ‘80s and ’90s, these are the top 10 “Terminator” imitations.
10 Lady Terminator (1989)
In a bygone era, when the Sea Queen, an ancient deity associated with sexual power, was defeated by one of her victims, she cast a curse upon his bloodline. Fast-forward to the present day, an anthropologist named Tania finds herself under the queen’s influence, transforming into a vengeful entity seeking retribution against Erica, a descendant of the man who had betrayed her. As Tania leaves trails of victims in her wake, a New York detective takes up the case and develops feelings for Erica.
An Indonesian (Almost) Shot-for-Shot Remake
As Lady Terminator alters details, incorporating fresh backstory and an exotic aspect, it’s nearly scene for scene identical to James Cameron’s Terminator – is this a negative? Not necessarily, as there’s a unique blend of cheesiness and roughness due to budgetary limitations that hold appeal. Additionally, the film includes elements typically found in horror and exploitation genres, which has earned this relatively unknown action movie a small but devoted cult fanbase.
Although there are many similarities to its well-known counterpart, it also delves into the realm of so-bad-it’s-good, making the movie appealing to a broad range of viewers. Notably, Barbara Anne Constable, in her sole acting role, is incredibly menacing and badass as the relentless Lady Terminator, a performance that includes a RoboCop-esque leg shot. This added appeal certainly doesn’t hurt!
9 Eliminators (1986)
In a different phrasing: A cyborg designed for destruction, named Mandroid, grapples with his selfhood after breaking free from the grip of his wicked inventor, Dr. Reeves. Mandroid then allies with a renegade space trader, an agile martial artist, a brilliant scientist, and a diminutive automaton, to thwart Reeves before he obtains a revolutionary technology that could grant him global dominion.
Not Quite a Man, Not Quite an Android, but a Mandroid!
The film titled “Eliminators” is more like a “let’s toss every idea at the screen and see what sticks” kind of movie, rather than being a direct copy of Terminator. Although ‘Mandroid’ can be seen as a cheaper version of the Terminator, he does have an interesting ‘tank mode.’ The movie draws inspiration from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and every ’90s ninja film, resulting in a quirky blend of sci-fi and action. Initially panned upon release, there has been a growing appreciation for the movie. If you can overlook its flaws, it is a fun and absurd tribute to many superior films, presented with its own distinctive B-movie allure.
8 Mikadroid (1991)
During World War II, Japanese military experimentation gave birth to an extraordinary soldier, part man, part machine – the Mikadroid. But when the program ceased with Japan’s defeat, these machines were abandoned and left untouched by time. Fast forward 45 years, in the dimly lit basement of a nightclub named Layla, one of these units suddenly springs back to life and decides to eliminate anyone who dares venture into its underground territory.
Death Comes to the Dance Club
Mikadroid, famously recognized as Mikadroid Robokill Beneath Discoclub Layla, stands out among the crowd of Terminator imitations. The influence of Terminator’s popularity in Japan is evident in some movies from this list, but what sets these productions apart are the distinctly Japanese elements that make them a unique tribute to James Cameron’s sci-fi action masterpiece.
In Mikadroid, we find a merciless cyborg assassin, much like Sarah Connor but with unique twists. This film excels as a terrifying horror production, often categorized as a ‘slasher.’ Instead of a masked murderer, Mikadroid presents a robot lurking in the shadows of a parking lot, preying on unsuspecting Japanese party-goers who venture into the basement of Layla’s club. The movie is filled with campy and brutal elements, but in an enjoyable way.
7 Class of 1999 (1990)
1999 finds Seattle’s Kennedy High School plagued by violent teenagers, leading to the arrival of Dr. Miles Langford as the new principal who aims to restore order using advanced military technology – cyborg teachers. Initially meant for strict discipline, these robotic enforcers quickly escalate their actions into lethal behavior. It’s now left to Cody Culp, a former gang member recently freed from prison, and other students, to unite and defeat the menacing robots before they cause any more harm.
School is Out Forever
In a style reminiscent of a clone of the classic film “Terminator,” but with its mechanical enforcers maintaining law by means of force, the movie “Class of 1999” manages to carve out its own niche. The action is excessively thrilling, brimming with violence that borders on the comic, which has garnered it a devoted following among enthusiasts of exploitation, action, and horror genres.
Additionally, you’ll find exceptional acting from well-known figures such as Malcolm McDowell, Stacy Keach, and Pam Grier in this production. Notably, Pam Grier delivers a captivating performance, embodying the character of a lethal cyborg educator.
You can stream Class of 1999 on Plex or The Roku Channel.
6 Hardware (1990)
In a blasted post-nuclear landscape where Earth has become uninhabitable, humans now live underground. The story of Hardware opens with a scavenger unearthing a robot’s head in the wasteland. This head eventually comes into possession of a space marine, who intends to give it as a gift for his girlfriend’s art project. But once the head springs back to life, it sets about repairing itself and focuses on pursuing Jill.
A Cyberpunk Classic
Despite receiving a mix of positive and negative reviews upon its release, the film “Hardware” has since built up a significant cult fanbase. What sets “Hardware” apart is its unique blend of horror and experimental storytelling, which distinguishes it from many other killer cyborg movies of that time period. The post-apocalyptic sci-fi genre, along with Richard Stanley’s work on the horror western “Dust Devil,” has made him a respected, if somewhat tragic, figure in cult film fandom. Additionally, the film stars Dylan McDermott, who was quite handsome and would later become well-known for his role in the TV show “The Practice.
5 Cyber Ninja (1988)
In a world that blends futuristic technology with medieval Japan, where a devastating war between humans and cyborgs is taking place, a band of skilled swordsmen are embarking on a quest to free Princess Saki, who has fallen into the clutches of a ruthless warlord. This villain seeks to summon a powerful digital entity from another realm to dominate mankind, using the Princess as a key part of his sinister ritual. The film was inspired by an arcade game produced by Namco under the same title.
Super Sentai Terminator
Imagine Cyber Ninja as a fusion of elements from Terminator, Super Sentai action series, and beat-em-up video games. This blend is what sets this production apart, with its distinctive character designs reminiscent of Power Rangers, stirring nostalgia among fans. Additionally, it carries an authentic live-action anime vibe that will appeal to fans who cherish ’80s/’90s classics in the genre.
4 T-Force (1994)
A highly skilled team of operatives, termed “cybernaughts” and codenamed the “T-Force,” are employed by the authorities to handle critical cyber situations. But when an operation backfires, leading to the death of hostages at the hands of these cybernaughts, the decision is made to disband the task force. This decision sparks rebellion among the T-Force members, who resort to violence to stay alive. It falls on police officer Jack Floyd to halt these lethal artificial intelligence constructs created by the government.
So-Bad-Its-Good Terminator Knock-off
The film “T-Force” veers into the realm of so-bad-it’s-good, brimming with absurd and awkward dialogue that generates a lot of laughter. This action movie is reminiscent of 90s genre films, packed with overly dramatic concepts and stereotypical elements, playing out in this Terminator imitation. On the positive side, “T-Force” boasts some impressive action scenes and offers a glimpse of the growing technology-human relationship at the time. However, the movie is most enjoyable when watched with a group of friends who share an affection for dissecting every flaw.
3 Steel and Lace (1991)
In a tragic turn of events, the gifted classical pianist, Gaily Morton, fell prey to a merciless tycoon, resulting in a futile trial and her taking her own life. Overwhelmed by grief, her brother Albert Morton – an ingenious roboticist – embarked on a quest to resurrect her. He transplanted her consciousness into the physique of a formidable cyborg. With this new form, and equipped with an array of weapons, Gaily sought retribution against those who had wronged her.
A Terminator on a Mission of Revenge
The unsavory rape-revenge genre of films is a bit of a blight on cinematic history. For every Ms. 45 there were dozens of gritty and quick cash-ins (garbage) on the sensational premise. It was only a matter of time before the world got a rape-revenge version of Terminator, and that is Steel and Lace. This means proceeding with a degree of caution for those sensitive to the subject, but the movie does do enough to have earned itself a cult following.
In my opinion, the intriguing fusion of contentious movie genres, particularly sci-fi action, in Steel and Lace is truly extraordinary. What sets this film apart, though, is its plethora of imaginative, over-the-top kill scenes. It’s a movie you watch with your pals, hollering with delight as the antagonist meets his grisly end, such as having his head whirled towards helicopter blades. This flick leans more towards the sensational side of cinema, but if you’re cool with a dash of low-budget thrills and mind-blowing action sequences, then Steel and Lace is definitely worth checking out.
2 Nemesis (1992)
In the year 2027, when androids and humans with cybernetic enhancements are routine, the story Nemesis unfolds. It centers around Alex Rain, a former LAPD officer who, following a career-ending accident, underwent cybernetic upgrades. This unique background makes Alex an attractive target for exploitation by the police, as they task him with a perilous mission: locating an old partner and retrieving confidential data that has been pilfered by a notorious group called the Red Army Hammerheads.
The Start of a Cyberpunk Franchise
The Nemesis series, initially, found a moderate level of achievement, giving rise to four subsequent installments. Although this franchise caters to a specific audience and each sequel shows a gradual decrease in quality compared to the first, it showcases the exceptional nature of its origin. The initial cyberpunk-themed action film cleverly utilized its limited funds to create exciting action sequences, boasted decent acting performances, and maintained a clear vision for its style and ambiance, much like Terminator. However, it manages to carve out its unique identity amidst similar themes.
1 Gunhed (1989)
Humanity is in grave danger from the menacing supercomputer Kyron-5, initially designed as an autonomous factory but now rebelling against humanity, initiating the “Great Robot Wars.” Gunhed portrays a band of Texas Air Rangers, headed by Sergeant Nim, who are deployed on a rescue operation. They find themselves in conflict with mercenaries attempting to penetrate a Kyron-5 facility to seize a power source.
A Japanese Cyberpunk Stand-Out
As a cinephile, I must confess that “Gunhed” stands among the lesser-known offspring of the iconic “Terminator” franchise. Yet, to simply categorize it as a mere clone would be an injustice. This film delves into the complexities of artificial intelligence within a post-apocalyptic milieu, drawing upon sci-fi influences from both the Western and Eastern worlds. The visual style of this Japanese masterpiece is a testament to the early stirrings of the Japanese cyberpunk aesthetic in cinema, offering a distinct perspective that deviates significantly from the traditional American interpretation of the genre.
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2024-09-15 06:32