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"Worthy Sequel."
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James Cameron's 1991 sci-fi film and the second film in the "Terminator" series.
< read all 14 reviewsAn outstanding sequel to follow up the awesome original.
-
Oct 12, 2011
- by Madpenguin
- posted in Movie Hype
Rating:
+5
In the far future the war between man and machine still rages on. John Connor leads the resistance against the self-aware, super computer Skynet and its army of Terminator robots. Skynet makes another attempt to change history by sending another Terminator into the past, this time to 1995, with orders on killing a young John Connor ( Edward Furlong). Future Connor sends a Terminator on his own to prevent the assassination. -summary
Here goes the movie which provides the argument that not all sequels suck, to include, they can also surpass the original, and in a very big way. Directed by James Cameron, Terminator 2 is the direct sequel to the original Terminator, and although the film utilizes the exact same chase formula, and the fight for survival against a very powerful enemy. Cameron was able to pull off being original as well as innovative. This film took place at a time when he was actually serious about telling a story that combined both substance and style. For a film that came out back in 1991, T2 holds up amazingly well in this day and age, providing an ample amount of action with incredible special effects, and when looking at the budget to make this movie, it damn well better hold up some 20 years later.
The story is interesting and gripping almost from the get go. Linda Hamilton reprises her role as Sarah Connor, and in her quest to prevent Judgment Day, she landed herself in a mental institution where she's horribly treated. Probably because of her behavior which involves attacks on personnel along with repeated escape attempts. John Connor is about 11 years old, even though it's almost impossible to buy into that, lives with foster parents and comes off as a bit of a jerk. Then we're introduced to the two Terminators, which builds up the suspense rather well leading up to the inevitable encounter.
Cameron's direction was fantastic delivering some really good action scenes with lots of shoot outs and explosive car chases. I was never bored when the action was going down, and the battles between the two robots had some really good moments. Arnold Schwarzenegger reprises his role as the Terminator, however, he is not the show stealer this time, that honor belongs to the T-1000 played by Robert Patrick, a new liquid metal based Terminator with some amazing abilities. Patrick played the role of the determined, emotionless killer flawless in my eyes.
The action and special effects are quite possibly the best thing the movie has to offer, but when the guns are put in the holster, Cameron manages to tell a gripping story, which not only plays on the man vs. monster theme, but soon becomes a fight for survival by preventing the apocalyptic future. The characters had some good chemistry from where I saw things, and it brought out some good interactions. I enjoyed Hamilton's role a lot more this time around, due to her developing more into a warrior who's going to put an end to this thing at all cost. If I would have only one gripe with the characters it would probably be John Connor. I just can't put my finger on it exactly, but it was something about his character I didn't really care for. He's good for the most part, he just didn't appeal to me like the rest of the cast. Especially Arnold's Terminator, as he developed more of a personality, which showed more innovation with Cameron's writing. Brad Feidel's music score was still amazing, and it clearly enhanced the action scenes bringing more intensity to them.
Minus a small editing issue at some point in the movie, I really can't think of anything negative to say about this. Nostalgia has nothing to do with it, that's for damn sure. I really think it's an excellent action sci-fi, and that ending couldn't have capped things off any better. There is a level of violence going on here, with a couple of very brutal death scenes that may bother some.
Overall, Cameron added to the Terminator mythos with some believable content that didn't seem tacked on in the slightest. I always felt his first two Terminator films were the best in his filmography. If there is an action fan who hasn't seen this yet, then check it out whenever you get the chance. This receives my highest recommendation.
Pros:
- Casting, Special effects, Action, Music Score
Cons:
-Nothing worth mentioning
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FM_ALEX
October 15, 2011
CLASSIC
Madpenguin
June 08, 2012
yep
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woopak_the_thrill
October 13, 2011
This will forever stand as one of my favorite films! I buy every release, and I am waiting for the Cameron re-master on bluray. Did you see the secret ending in the titanium cover ULTIMATE EDITION? It actually closes the story which is why they changed it....
Madpenguin
October 13, 2011
It's among my favorite's too. I haven't seen any alterrnate endings because I don't believe in buying the same movie over and over for extras.
woopak_the_thrill
October 13, 2011
If you own the ULTIMATE EDITION dvd, there's a code that you enter (I think it is the date where SKYNET became self aware and you will see 'no fate but what we make'....then you will see the ulitmate ending with Connor as an old woman and John as a family man in the park (the park that was nuked). The way Cameron originally intended the franchise to end.
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djevoke
October 12, 2011
This is by far my fave of the series, including the TV show. I must've seen this film about 23 times when I was a teen- partly because it rocked and partly because my friend had a HUGE teen crush on Eddie Furlong lol....This film also has a ton of great quotes that I still sprinkle into conversation whenever possible.
Madpenguin
October 13, 2011
I haven't seen the TV show and I did plan on it too. But I might never get to it now with so many other things I want to check out or revisit. There are some good quotes, but nothing I keep in mind though.
woopak_the_thrill
October 13, 2011
ok...someone had a crush on Furlong? You mean 'you' as in when you said 'friend' right, Sam? LOL!
djevoke
October 14, 2011
Noooo...it was my friend Heidi. I had a crush, OK probably still have one, on Leo DiCaprio ;p
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More Terminator 2: Judgment Day reviews
It's been a long time coming but I'm finally going to talk about the movie I most remember from my youth, Terminator 2: Judgment Day. It's the movie I've seen probably more then any other, the movie that I always looked forward to seeing even if I'd seen it 3 times earlier that week, and a movie that I'm finally talking about cause I really don't have much to say, but I'll try. Much like when I reviewed Star Wars it's hard to say things that everyones … more
Comments (8)
Compliments (24)
Super sized sequel and Arnold's most famous movie about two cyborgs that fight each other over a young boy who will help save the world. Fantastic
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Compliments (3)
Quick Tip by SheilaDeeth.
October 19, 2010
I liked the intriguing take on time travel that began to appear in this, and the way appearance and character were kept at odds.
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Compliment
Super Duper sized follow up to the original 84 sci fi action movie has Arnie "back" as a good guy to protect a young John Connor from the newly created T-1000 played with cold menace by Robert Patrick for one of the most unbeatable badguys ever. Full of action and keeps the themes of the first film. A classic and Arnold never made a better movie.
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Compliments (3)
Very rare that a sequel surpasses the oringal. One of the best action movies of all time.
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Compliment
Did not meet up to the first one, my opinion though
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Compliment
Terminator vs. an upgrade liquid metal Terminator, as they fight over John Connor, who is targetted by Skynet to die. Gotta see this! Hasta!
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review by Lopez15.
November 27, 2009
While Terminator set up the beginning of John Connor and created a new era in FX and unbrash action and suspense this no holds bar sequel Improves on the first and pushes the special effects further than ever for it's day. Terminator 2: Judgment Day is smart, taunt, stylish, dark and oh so much fun. It's the perfect action sequel and one of the best films of the '90s. … more
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Compliments (12)
review by pashabitz.
October 29, 2009
Seriously, it doesn't get any better. Vintage 90s action, way ahead of its time!
Comments (2)
Compliments (3)
Quick Tip by TheJohn.
September 29, 2009
Fantastic follow up to the original Terminator with Arnold returning to protect John Connor and take on a nearly invincible foe. A Classic.
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About the reviewer
Madpenguin
Serious gamer and hardcore comic reader.
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About this movie
A decade after Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) destroyed the original Terminator, a second unstoppable killing machine (Arnold Schwarzenegger) arrives from the post-apocalyptic year 2029. But this time his mission is to stop an even deadlier Terminator, the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), made entirely of shape-shifting liquid metal and determined to kill young John Connor (Edward Furlong), the future leader of the human resistance. Sarah, John, and the Terminator counter by going after the scientist responsible for developing Skynet, the computer system fated to destroy humanity, leading to an explosive and spectacular clash with the fate of humanity in the balance. Whereas James Cameron's original THE TERMINATOR was a low-budget marvel of efficiency and speed, TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY is an action-packed blockbuster with some of the most amazing stunts ever filmed and ground-breaking, Academy Award-winning special effects. Star Schwarzenegger was paid in the form of a $15 million dollar jet to revisit his mos...
Movies, Action Movies, Action, Science Fiction Movies, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Sci Fi, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cyborgs, James Cameron, Terminator, Edward Furlong, Linda Hamilton
Cast:
Edward Furlong,
Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Terrence Evans,
Ron Young,
Robert Patrick,
Xander R. Berkeley,
Gwenda Deacon,
Jim Palmer,
S. Epatha Merkerson,
Colin Patrick Lynch,
Joe Morton,
Linda Hamilton,
Michael Biehn,
Castulo Guerra,
Peter Kent,
Danny Cooksey,
Earl Boen,
Mark Christopher Lawrence,
Diane Rodriguez,
Robert Winley,
Dean Norris,
Jenette Goldstein,
Gerard G. Williams,
Abdul Salaam El Razaac,
Charles Tamburro,
Mike Muscat,
Denney Pierce,
Don Lake,
Don Stanton,
Dan Stanton,
Leslie Hamilton Gaerren,
Ken Gibbel,
Dalton Abbott,
Ennalls Berl,
Lisa Brinegar,
Charles Robert Brown,
Casey Chavez,
Nikki Cox,
Michael Edwards,
Noel Evangelisti,
DeVaughn Walter Nixon,
Pete Schrum,
Tony Simotes,
Richard Vidan,
Shane Wilder,
J. Rob Jordan,
Pat Kouri,
Van Ling,
Jared Lounsberry,
Tom McDonald
Director:
James Cameron
Genre:
Action,
Drama,
Sci-Fi,
Thriller
Release Date:
July 3, 1991
MPAA Rating:
R
Screen Writer:
William Wisher, Jr.
Runtime:
2hrs 19min
Studio:
Columbia Pictures,
Artisan Entertainment
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