Terminator 2: Judgment Day

“The whole thing goes: The future's not set. There's no fate but what we make for ourselves.”

Filmology Rating: 3.75 out of 4

Terminator 2: Judgement Day is the 1991 sequel to James Cameron's 1984 film, 'The Terminator.' Cameron was planning on a sequel, but technology had not yet caught up with his vision of what the T-1000, or Liquid Terminator, would look like. In between 1984 and 1991, James Cameron helmed 'Aliens', the sequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 sci-fi/horror film, 'Alien.' That gave Cameron the opportunity to experiment with making a straight action film. The film did well, but not great. Cameron then made 'The Abyss' and it released in 1989, which did not do well at the box office. In that film, Cameron got to experiment with CGI by making water morph into the shape of a moving head. This is very similar to the look of the T-1000. After Cameron realized that technology had finally caught up to his original vision, he decided a sequel to 'The Terminator' was ready to be made.

Carolco Pictures had recently released Paul Verhoeven's 'Total Recall' starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Orion Pictures had one foot in the grave and could not afford to make a sequel to 'The Terminator', especially with what Cameron envisioned. So, Arnold convinced Carolco Pictures to purchase the rights to the franchise from Orion for five million dollars. Cameron was then approved a budget of one-hundred million, the largest budget of its time. In comparison, the original 'Jurassic Park' only cost sixty-three million to make.

There are two ways of making a sequel: remake the first film better or go in a completely different direction. 'Aliens' was a remake of the first, but also a change in genre. 'T2' (Terminator 2) is a great example of a film that is a direct remake of the first, but changes enough to be its own thing.

This is considered by most to be one of the best action films ever. If you have never seen this film, then it's highly recommended that you go in with the mindset that action has come very far since 1991. This film may be slower than you're used to because action was a lot different in the 90s. Back then, there was a large reliance on practical effects, but CGI was there to enhance your film's story. Now films today don't have stories.

Just like 'Star Wars', the sequels to Terminator and Star Wars placed both franchises on pedestals that has Hollywood convinced that some day they will produce a film that lives up to 'Empire Strikes Back' or 'T2.' The plot to 'T2' is, essentially, the same as the first film, but delves into more spectacular action sequences.

Many go as far to say this is the best sequel ever made. However, it has its issues. The first being the concept itself. In the first film, Arnold played a menacing cyborg hunting down Sarah Connor. But, in this film, the Terminator is the kid's best friend! Arnold objected to Cameron's idea of making the T-800 a good guy, but went along with it anyways. This was supposed to remain a production secret. However, the trailers for this film spoiled that Arnold was now on John's side and Cameron was furious. If you're not familiar with how trailers work, the marketing department of the studio takes care of the trailers. The director does not have involvement with that process.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was a huge star at this point. However, this film cemented him as an action-icon. Arnold is still great as the Terminator. John Connor never had a father figure because Kyle Reese died in the first film. So John sees the T-800 as that father he never had. It is a heart-warming element that has purpose. This also leads to some humorous scenes of the T-800 trying to smile or saying hip-lingo from the 90s. This was Arnold at peak fame and his last great film. Strangely, after this film, Arnold began his career as a comedic actor, which was disastrous. He then quit acting in 2003 and did not return until 2013.

Linda Hamilton returns as Sarah Connor. After the events of the first film, Sarah is in a psychiatric ward where doctors try to convince her that Terminators are not real. It makes perfect sense that Sarah would be perceived as a crazy person. It was actually Hamilton's idea to have Sarah perceived as a mental patient. Cameron liked the idea of Sarah being a badass; it took the character in a new direction. This was Edward Furlong's first role in a movie. As a young child, he had lots of pressure on him to be a good John Connor. He does have a few shaky line deliveries where his voice breaks or his dialogue comes off as strange. But, overall, he did a great job for being in such a big movie. Just like any kid that's ever been in a movie, his career did not go well after this film and marks another kid-actor that Hollywood has ruined.

Robert Patrick was cast as the new T-1000, or Liquid Terminator. He was previously in 'Die Hard 2', but not much else. This Terminator gave Cameron the opportunity to cast someone smaller, which was the original idea for the T-800.

Everyone remembers this as the first "CGI movie." However, 'Young Sherlock Holmes' in 1985 was actually the first usage of computer generated imagery. But, everyone likes to think of 'T2' because it was the first big-budget movie to feature great CGI. This film is another great example of CGI used responsibly. It was that wonderful little pocket in the 90s when nobody could overly rely on CGI yet *George*. So films were still made like they used to, but featured small bits of CGI. But now every movie is made on a green screen. Movie magic!

The CGI in 'T2' is used sparingly and creatively. ILM pioneered a technique called morphing, or cross-fading. It's when the T-1000 hits the wall, face first, and morphs his body back to him facing the camera without moving. All of the CGI with the T-1000 is incredibly creative and there to support the story.

This film led to Steven Spielberg deciding to include CGI dinosaurs in 'Jurassic Park', which marked the end of the practical effects era. 'Jurassic Park' then led to 'The Phantom Menace.' So in a way, you can blame James Cameron for 'Phantom Menace.'

This film also features James Cameron's abuse with blue gels. It's not too bad in this film, but 'Aliens' and 'The Abyss' are far worse. 'T2' has lots of oranges and blues, especially near the end.

The action itself is great because the majority of it was practical, which meant dangerous stunts and something you can actually film. It's a masterclass on how to do action correctly.

If there's one thing that James Cameron loves, other than blue gels and himself, is dimly lit factories. This film ends in a factory, again. The majority of people get very sad when the T-800 had to be lowered into the lava; the only father figure John ever had must now go. Personally, I could care less. It's a great moment, but the Terminator is better as a murder machine, which he does none of in the film.

This is a great sequel and great action film. Personally, the first is a little better, but many prefer the second film. It propped the franchise up for over twenty years and it's still going. This is the last film in the 'Terminator: Dark Fate' continuity. The new film will continue where 'T2' left off. However, the other sequels still need to be made fun of.

Rating: See It

-Nolan