Capsule review of "The Futurist: The Life and Films of James Cameron"

I saw the first "Terminator" in 1984 at a sparsely-attended afternoon show at the local mall, before the film became a hit, and I’ve enjoyed every one of James Cameron’s films in the theater ever since. I was surprised to learn that the studio didn’t heavily market T1 because it didn’t think it would do well—one of many tidbits I didn’t know before reading this extremely well written portrait of the most successful writer/director in the history of film. While some biographies can be overly detailed and disorganized—sometimes both at once—Keegan chronicles her subject’s work and unprecedented achievements in a way that’s streamlined, smart and highly accessible. “The Futurist” also has something else that’s often lacking in too many bios: a sharp and objective sense of humor. Even if you’re not a fan of his movies, it’s hard to remain uninspired by Cameron’s extraordinary drive, talent and ingenuity, along with Keegan’s remarkable skill in telling his story.