“Terminator 2: Judgement Day” is a science fiction action film that is sequel to 1984’s “The Terminator.” The story here has Skynet of 2029 sending a new and superior terminator back in time to kill John Connor, the future leader of the human resistance who is only ten years old at the time. The future Connor also sends back a clearly inferior reprogrammed T-800 to protect his younger self. Producer-director James Cameron (“Aliens” 1986) clearly has another winner on his hands, over two hours of non-stop action, an exciting story, great production values, good special effects, and more. He co-wrote the screenplay with William Wisher.
Much of the drama and tension comes from the audience wondering how Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 will defeat the new T-1000, played by Robert Patrick. Arnold and Patrick and perfect for these roles, as are supporting cast members including Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor, Edward Furlong as John Connor, Joe Morton, Earl Boen, Jenette Goldstein, Xander Berkeley, Epatha Merkerson, Castulo Guerra, Danny Cooksey, Sven-Ole Thorsen, DeVaughn Nixon, Michael Edwards, and the returning Michael Biehn as resistance soldier Kyle Reese, whose scenes were cut from the theatrical release. Linda Hamilton’s twin sister Leslie Hamilton Gearren played the T-1000 impersonating Connor when Linda Hamilton was on screen.
The special effects were ground breaking, with computer generated imagery used to enhance the two Terminators. So we have LucasFilm’s Industrial Light & Magic to thank for the liquid metal FX, integral to the storyline. The film won four Oscars, including Best Visual Effects, Best Makeup, Best Sound, and Best Sound Effects Editing. Two other nominations went to Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing.
Direction and screenwriting should have also been nominated, as the movie had marvelous continuity and an enjoyable rapid pace for a watchable 136 minutes. “Terminator 2: Judgement Day,” clearly superior than the first “Terminator,” was a big success at the box office for Carolco Pictures, Pacific Western Productions, Lightstorm Entertainment, Le Studio Canal+, and TriStar Pictures. So, following the first two “Terminator” movies of 1984 and 1991, sequels were released in 2003, 2009, 2015, and 2019, plus a two season television show “Terminator: The Sarah Connors Chronicles” (2008-2009 on Fox Network).
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
cinema
My Review
“Terminator 2: Judgement Day” is a science fiction action film that is sequel to 1984’s “The Terminator.” The story here has Skynet of 2029 sending a new and superior terminator back in time to kill John Connor, the future leader of the human resistance who is only ten years old at the time. The future Connor also sends back a clearly inferior reprogrammed T-800 to protect his younger self. Producer-director James Cameron (“Aliens” 1986) clearly has another winner on his hands, over two hours of non-stop action, an exciting story, great production values, good special effects, and more. He co-wrote the screenplay with William Wisher.
Much of the drama and tension comes from the audience wondering how Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 will defeat the new T-1000, played by Robert Patrick. Arnold and Patrick and perfect for these roles, as are supporting cast members including Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor, Edward Furlong as John Connor, Joe Morton, Earl Boen, Jenette Goldstein, Xander Berkeley, Epatha Merkerson, Castulo Guerra, Danny Cooksey, Sven-Ole Thorsen, DeVaughn Nixon, Michael Edwards, and the returning Michael Biehn as resistance soldier Kyle Reese, whose scenes were cut from the theatrical release. Linda Hamilton’s twin sister Leslie Hamilton Gearren played the T-1000 impersonating Connor when Linda Hamilton was on screen.
The special effects were ground breaking, with computer generated imagery used to enhance the two Terminators. So we have LucasFilm’s Industrial Light & Magic to thank for the liquid metal FX, integral to the storyline. The film won four Oscars, including Best Visual Effects, Best Makeup, Best Sound, and Best Sound Effects Editing. Two other nominations went to Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing.
Direction and screenwriting should have also been nominated, as the movie had marvelous continuity and an enjoyable rapid pace for a watchable 136 minutes. “Terminator 2: Judgement Day,” clearly superior than the first “Terminator,” was a big success at the box office for Carolco Pictures, Pacific Western Productions, Lightstorm Entertainment, Le Studio Canal+, and TriStar Pictures. So, following the first two “Terminator” movies of 1984 and 1991, sequels were released in 2003, 2009, 2015, and 2019, plus a two season television show “Terminator: The Sarah Connors Chronicles” (2008-2009 on Fox Network).