TERMINAL ENTRY

US, 1987, 95 minutes, Colour.
Yaphet Kotto, Edward Albert.
Directed by John Kincade.

Terminal Entry is an action thriller, a small budget thriller which exploits popular themes like terrorism and computer hackers becoming involved in war games - also with exploitive touches of sex and violence. Given this style, it is not without interest and excitement. The film shows action of terrorists, the Americans trying to combat this terrorism. However, things become very complicated when a group of teenagers actually enter into the programs for the destruction plans of the terrorists and these begin to be acted out. There has to be, of course, a rescue by the Americans - and all ends well. The film has an international cast but is led by Americans Yaphet Kotto and Edward Albert.

1.Interesting thriller? Exploiting themes from other films? The exploitive touches of sex and violence? '80s B-budget film?

2.American location, the border? The city? The technology, computers? Special effects and stunt work? Musical score?

3.The title and its ambiguities - with relationship to the Americans, to the terrorists, to the teenagers?

4.The plausibility of the plot: the picture of the terrorists, entering America, wreaking havoc? The American squads sent to combat them? The possibility of teenagers, their computers, computer game mentality? The dangers in which they found themselves?

5.The picture of the Americans: the leadership of Colonel Styles, Jackson and his skills? Pursuing the terrorists? Jackson's girlfriend, on the news, giving information, the scenario of her death to deceive the terrorists? Her being held in captivity? The fast action? Stewart and his clashes with styles and Jackson, enlisting them on his service? Confrontation of the terrorists? The discovery about the teenagers, the rescue? Conventional characterisations?

6.The teenagers, their computer games, their skills, going away for the weekend, together, the glimpses of their characters, sexual relationships? The dangers, their putting themselves on the hit list? The terrorist attack? The American rescues?

7.Popular action adventure, B-budget style, the sensationalist touch?