Conan the Barbarian (1982)

 

A young boy, Conan, becomes a slave after his parents are killed and tribe destroyed by a savage warlord and sorcerer, Thulsa Doom. When he grows up he becomes a fearless, invincible fighter. Set free, he plots revenge against Thulsa Doom.

Primitive, violent fantasy tale clearly celebrates its hero's barbarism - his unnerving and risible stupidity included; needless to say, Schwarzenegger perfectly fulfills the script's requirements for the character.

Halliwell (no star): "Intolerably doomladen, slow-moving and mainly unintelligible rubbish which failed to put a lift into the long-announced sword-and-sorcery cycle."

Maltin**1/2: "Ron Cobb's spectacular production design and Basil Poledouris' vibrant score help make this superior to the many low-grade imitations it spawned." 

The Terminator (1984)

Escape Plan (2013)

When a structural-security authority finds himself set up and incarcerated in the world's most secret and secure prison, he has to use his skills to escape with help from the inside.

Mainly efficient, but unambitious sci-fi actioner is watchable for its nice pairing of Stallone and Schwarzenberger.

Maltin**1/2: "Better-than-expected prison drama...Blessedly old-fashioned vehicle for Stallone allows him to be tough as nails...Totally ludicrous but entertaining on its own terms. It's fun to watch Sly and Arnold together."

Predator (1987)

A team of commandos on a mission in a Central American jungle find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior.

Straightforward action thriller seamlessly turns a violent military jungle commando into a cat-and-mouse game with an alien hunter.

Halliwell (no star): "Lethargic action thriller with unpleasant moments."

Maltin***: "Solid, suspenseful action film takes time getting started, but emerges a grabber." 

Maggie (2015)

A teenage girl in the Midwest becomes infected by an outbreak of a disease that slowly turns the infected into cannibalistic zombies. During her transformation, her loving father stays by her side.

Slow-paced and thoughtful zombie drama, more artsy than horror flick; cast is excellent, and Schwarzenegger surprises with a subtle and subdued performance.

Terminator Genisys (2015)

When John Connor, leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline.

Despite Schwarzenegger's reappearance in the series this entry is merely a well produced, but uninspiring sci-fi adventurer; like its plot, a dead-end detour to the main timeline.