One could say that it is a legendary feat for a sequel to be superior to the original. One might also say that James Cameron's Terminator 2: Judgement Day is one such film. That actually impresses me because the 1984 film is no slouch. It is an incredible horror/sci-fi classic that launched the respective Cameron's directing and Arnold Schwarzenegger's acting careers. The sequel took everything up a notch. While the original film was a more horror-based, contained story, the sequel is more about the intense action sequences and the incredible, earth-shattering special effects. In a way, T2 is similar to Jaws in how the film revolutionized moviegoing. Without Cameron's action masterpiece, there would be no effects-driven films like Jurassic Park. Say what you will about the laziness of filmmakers using special effects these days, but sometimes masterpieces such as this film comes along. In addition to great visual effects and makeup, this is also a storytelling triumph. Screenwriters Cameron and William Wisher came up with a way to invest in the characters giving them emotional character arcs. While Schwarzenegger's bot was a killer machine in the original, he was a father figure and protector to young John Connor. Meanwhile, Sarah Connor was anything but. She was hospitalized because of severe mental issues. Her understanding of how the world will come to be made her seemingly more machine than human. Cameron put some thought into his characters developing them into three-dimensional characters that we can all root for...except for Robert Patrick's T-1000 villain, a true technological wonder. The T-1000 is one of the best villains you will see in a movie. A true monster!
It surprised me that it took seven years for a sequel to be released considering the goodwill the first film received. The first film is still considered to be one of the best science-fiction films of all time. Why the long wait? Cameron was busy working on other films like Aliens (another sequel known for its well-developed female characters) and also both he and Schwarzenegger refused to work with Hemdale Film Corporation, which held the rights. They eventually sold the rights because of financial difficulties. Schwarzenegger worked with Carolco Pictures on Total Recall and convinced them to buy the rights. They teamed up with TriStar to secure funding and release. With a budget of $60 million and then some, the Terminator sequel was considered the most expensive independent film ever produced. Sometimes it is all about who holds the rights that determines whether a film gets made or not. Isn't studio politics fascinating? No one can deny that Cameron and his crew made every dollar count. It is still technically fascinating even by today's standards.
It has been a decade since the robot known as "The Terminator" went back in time to murder Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and her unborn son. John Connor (Edward Furlong) is now ten, lives in a foster home, and has trouble with the law. Sarah is locked in an institution. Sarah may be mentally scarred but did she ever expect another killing machine back in her life? Skynet said otherwise. The company sends a T-1000 (Robert Patrick), a robot even more powerful than the 1984 Terminator, with a mission to kill John as a boy. Fortunately for John and his mother, another Terminator similar to the one that tried to kill them originally (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to help them fight for tomorrow.
One of the reasons why the sequel works is through the committed performances. It's no secret that James Cameron drives his actors to near complete exhaustion. Linda Hamilton complained about how she had to stay in shape and train like there was no tomorrow, yet her performance was incredible. Just like Ripley in Aliens, Hamilton plays a flawed, yet powerful figure. Her character kicked lots of butt in an era where men dominated the action scene, so it is lovely to see someone like Sarah Connor rise out of the ashes. Robert Patrick's villain is unforgettable. Patrick had to learn how to be emotionless for the role. Yet he also trained incredibly hard. He gained enough speed where he was able to catch up to Furlong on a dirtbike. Speaking of, Furlong was a great find. He had no acting experience leading up to this role, so Cameron felt that Furlong's portrayal of moodiness was more authentic. He and Schwarzenegger (who is great) have lovely scenes together. The one scene that stood out to me is young John Connor trying to teach the robot Spanish. I knew about that "Hasta La Vista" moment well before I saw the movie for the first time many years ago.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day is one of those rare sequels that are just as good as if not better than the original. There is just so much to like here from the monstrous villain to Linda Hamilton's buttkicking performance to the nonstop action and thrills. The final showdown is especially thrilling. Modern critics complain that this film is the beginning of the blockbuster cookie cutter experience that totally relies on CGI. While they are not entirely in the wrong, we get modern classics like this movie if done right. After all, James Cameron complimented the action plus the incredible CGI and makeup work with a screenplay that had developed characters and something to say. Before I forget, Brad Fiedel had another banging score as he did with the 1984 film. The Terminator theme gives me chills everytime.
My Grade: A+
It surprised me that it took seven years for a sequel to be released considering the goodwill the first film received. The first film is still considered to be one of the best science-fiction films of all time. Why the long wait? Cameron was busy working on other films like Aliens (another sequel known for its well-developed female characters) and also both he and Schwarzenegger refused to work with Hemdale Film Corporation, which held the rights. They eventually sold the rights because of financial difficulties. Schwarzenegger worked with Carolco Pictures on Total Recall and convinced them to buy the rights. They teamed up with TriStar to secure funding and release. With a budget of $60 million and then some, the Terminator sequel was considered the most expensive independent film ever produced. Sometimes it is all about who holds the rights that determines whether a film gets made or not. Isn't studio politics fascinating? No one can deny that Cameron and his crew made every dollar count. It is still technically fascinating even by today's standards.
It has been a decade since the robot known as "The Terminator" went back in time to murder Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and her unborn son. John Connor (Edward Furlong) is now ten, lives in a foster home, and has trouble with the law. Sarah is locked in an institution. Sarah may be mentally scarred but did she ever expect another killing machine back in her life? Skynet said otherwise. The company sends a T-1000 (Robert Patrick), a robot even more powerful than the 1984 Terminator, with a mission to kill John as a boy. Fortunately for John and his mother, another Terminator similar to the one that tried to kill them originally (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to help them fight for tomorrow.
One of the reasons why the sequel works is through the committed performances. It's no secret that James Cameron drives his actors to near complete exhaustion. Linda Hamilton complained about how she had to stay in shape and train like there was no tomorrow, yet her performance was incredible. Just like Ripley in Aliens, Hamilton plays a flawed, yet powerful figure. Her character kicked lots of butt in an era where men dominated the action scene, so it is lovely to see someone like Sarah Connor rise out of the ashes. Robert Patrick's villain is unforgettable. Patrick had to learn how to be emotionless for the role. Yet he also trained incredibly hard. He gained enough speed where he was able to catch up to Furlong on a dirtbike. Speaking of, Furlong was a great find. He had no acting experience leading up to this role, so Cameron felt that Furlong's portrayal of moodiness was more authentic. He and Schwarzenegger (who is great) have lovely scenes together. The one scene that stood out to me is young John Connor trying to teach the robot Spanish. I knew about that "Hasta La Vista" moment well before I saw the movie for the first time many years ago.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day is one of those rare sequels that are just as good as if not better than the original. There is just so much to like here from the monstrous villain to Linda Hamilton's buttkicking performance to the nonstop action and thrills. The final showdown is especially thrilling. Modern critics complain that this film is the beginning of the blockbuster cookie cutter experience that totally relies on CGI. While they are not entirely in the wrong, we get modern classics like this movie if done right. After all, James Cameron complimented the action plus the incredible CGI and makeup work with a screenplay that had developed characters and something to say. Before I forget, Brad Fiedel had another banging score as he did with the 1984 film. The Terminator theme gives me chills everytime.
My Grade: A+