Technology is an important asset to our world and has become an ever evolving science to improve our way of life. Artificial intelligence is among the sci-fi thrillers because of the possibility of computer systems evolving to self awareness and destroy humanity. In cinema, Skynet gained awareness and used Earth’s defense systems to wipe out the human population. Assassin cyborgs called Terminators were created to eliminate the surviving humans who would begin building a Resistance against the system and possibly destroy it.

In the first film, The T-800 Terminators are concealed in human tissue to effectively infiltrate many Resistance bases. The cyborgs are equipped with learning CPUs which allow the cyborg to adapt quickly within human society. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the leading actor in the movie series as the killer cyborg. Skynet sent the Terminator back to the past to eliminate Sarah Conner, who would give birth to her son John, the leader of the Resistance in the future. In films 2 and 3, Arnold’s role as the T-800 was reprogrammed to protect John Conner against potential threats that would jeopardize his future leadership.

The T-1000 is introduced in the second film, with an appearance similar to the Silver Surfer and the ability to shapeshift to mimic humans or objects. Severe cold and heat is the weakness of the T-1000 because of its liquid base instead of having a robotic endoskeleton. It’s mission was to eliminate John Conner and succeed where the T-800 failed with Sarah 10 years prior.

Terminator 3 introduced the T-X cyborg. This Terminator is created with an advanced robotic endoskeleton which allows the android to reconfigure it’s arms into weapons like plasma cannons. It’s outer layer is liquid metal like the T-1000, allowing it to impersonate any human on Earth. The mission of the T-X is to eliminate the future lieutenants of the Resistance along with John Conner. Skynet figured that taking out the future leaders would leave John alone to fight against machines, in the event he escapes his termination again.

Terminator: Genisys gave a different perspective on the storyline, seemingly because of Skynet’s continual failure in eliminating John Conner. In this storyline, Skynet ambushes Conner in the future, transforming him into the Model T-3000. It’s nanotechnology infects, then transforms humans into nanomachines as well, all to serve Skynet. What if Ultron had Tony’s nanotechnology to create himself an advanced body? How powerful do you think Ultron could be or would he share the same weakness as the T-3000?

Terminator: Dark Fate is another film that has a altered viewpoint to the storyline, making it another possible sequel to Judgement Day. In this film, John and Sarah Conner relocated to Central America in hopes of living a life outside of being United States most wanted. Three years earlier, Skynet sent another T-800 to kill John, but because of John’s constant movements with Sarah and the reprogrammed T-800, the Terminator had trouble keeping up to it’s target. John’s death was a success this time because Sarah and his defenses were lowered, believing that no Terminators could exist again in their time and that this T-800 being identical to the one John bonded to. After John’s death, the cyborg was stranded without a mission objective or ever reaching the future where Skynet would exist. Because of this, the T-800 chose to live among the humans peacefully. Skynet was not the beginning or end to artificial intelligence though. This film presented a new threat called Legion. This advanced system created terminators known as Rev-9s, which is similar but different to the T-X model. It’s exterior is black liquid metal and it’s interior is an advanced endoskeleton. The Rev-9’s exterior can separate from the endoskeleton and operate independently as two entities.

Grace and Marcus were once humans who became enhanced cybernetically. Marcus was transformed into a cyborg by Cyberdyne Industries, becoming like the T-800 model for the exception of his heart and brain still being intacted. Because of his unique design, Marcus is similar to Cyborg in the Justice League, with the exception of flight. Grace has cybernetics graphed around her bones, eyes and underlay of skin. Her design is similar to Brixton Lore of Fast and the Furious Presents Hobbs and Shaw, where most of her body is still organic. What kept these characters on the side of good was the vital organs that retained their human emotion.

Technology in our world is evolving each year, in cyberspace and machines. Is it possible that the manipulation of science and technology could have negative results that threatens mankind? Could humans push too far and accidentally create a computer system that could become self aware and hostile?

Comic Multiverse Fan Favorite artwork of the Terminator goes to the DeviantArt artist: Jon McKenzie!