He's back... - Terminator 2: Judgment Day Reviews

The epic continues and the final battle ensues...and he?s back and in black! James Cameron takes his inspiration from "2001: A Space Odyssey" and brings it so much more further by taking us on a grim trip into our devastating future. The interesting storyline, truly awesome special-effects, and compellingly sensitive acting surpass the first by far. To draw the audience's attention, the beginning is similar to the first movie's...still cringing from the bone snaps and crackles. But instead, Arnold gives it a much more cool look and we have the infamous George Thorogood's "Bad to the Bone" for an ultra-stylish beginning. But this time around, he is not the real danger which lurks in a more angelic faced and nearly invincible T-1000, sent back as well from post-apocalyptic 2029 A.D. Primary target: young John Conner, future leader of the human resistance. Two androids, two missions, one target. One is a Terminator, one a protector. Who is who and who will reach John first? Meanwhile, as the trio of John, Sarah, and the protector are endlessly hunted by the Terminator and constantly pursued by the authorities, can humanity?s disastrous fate be prevented? Arnold Schwarzenegger looks and acts so much better in this film. Even if he is good as a bad guy, he is great as a good one. He truly is humanly-robotic WITHOUT looking cheesy as such as Peter Weller in ?RoboCop?. His acting stuck out from all the rest and all eyes are on him. The T-800 is the perfect part for him and his best acting out of all 30 of his starred roles. Linda Hamilton goes for a complete transformation from an innocent young woman to a stone cold criminal, half-crazed from held within a mental institution. Just as in Silence of the Lambs, she is considered a most interesting pawn for publicity from an executive psychiatrist, whose stubborn inability to trust Sarah drives her mad. Furlong makes his debut as young John Conner and does a decent job as well for a 12-year-old, even if his voice is a bit squeaky from hitting puberty. Many may recognize his later role in "American History X". Robert Patrick's impression of the advanced prototype T-1000 is the only popular role he has achieved in his career. The best acting, of course, goes to Arnold for his number one performance of his career. A two-thumbs way up for the governor of California! The special-effects are dazzling and amazing, as they always are in all James Cameron films. From Arnold being shot up revealing his inner-metal skeleton to shape-shifting metal characters. And who could ever forget Arnold and his mini-gun. You even see the grenade propel from the launcher into it?s target if you watch closely. Cameron has crafted, in my opinion, the best sequel ever released. Nothing could match it?s revolutionary effects, techniques, and ideas. The directing, script, acting, soundtrack, cinematography, sound, and special-effects ALL mix together for an amazing result. All action and sci-fi directors get their cues and techniques from James Cameron. But what truly staggered me was the conclusion of this film. This is one of the few movies that did leave me in tears. Even to this day, it will get me every time. He connects you with the machine and John, which never knew his father, embraced him as his own. You grow quite attached the machine and Cameron always had his quirks for dramatic endings. His films are best known for his exceptionally human journeys with many given messages presented throughout the films. Many questions and points are raised in this particular movie. Will our future?s economy and defenses rely solely upon Artificial Intelligence? Could any A.I., given the chance, become self-aware and attempt to destroy us? Could machines ever ?feel?? If we knew our destiny, do we have the power to change it? Which do you believe in more, fate or choice? The main message that James Cameron points to us all, in all of his films, is that human life is more valuable than we treat it...Because in the end, it will be us who will bring upon our ultimate downfall. Terminator 2 - Judgment Day is one of my favorite films and I believe it to be the best sequel ever made...despite T3's disappointment and let-down to all. I am a huge fan of Arnold Shwarzenegger and James Cameron. I would encourage every single living person to buy the special edition on DVD. (Which I long for) It is one of the best of the Action/Sci-Fi genres with some of the best special-effects of its time. It is also the winner of Best Sound, Best Sound Effects, Best Visual-Effects, and Best Makeup in the Academy Awards of ?92. I watched this almost every week in my childhood and it is a landmark in the history film, a cult classic. Arnold wasn?t kidding when he said, ?I?ll be back!? -My Rating: A+ Best Sequel and Action Film - Jerry Johnston