Terminator 2: Judgement Day

 Terminator 2: Judgement Day

Before today’s movie scene of sequels, reboots, remakes, prequels, reinventions, reimaginings, preboots, requels (okay I made those last two up) of which are now big business and often just as good as the original, there was a time called the 1990’s. Sequels were being made of course, but it was expected they would be inferior to the original. And they usually were. There were still enough films with original ideas and endings that gave a sense of closure, that sequels weren’t all that necessary even up until the late 90’s. But call him a pioneer if you like, because James Cameron knew how to make a sequel that respected the original film, and even topped it. With his outstanding work as director on “Aliens” in 1986, Cameron proved a sequel could be better that it’s predecessor. The debate rages on that Alien and Aliens are two very different films, but if you ask anyone who’s seen both films more than once, the majority of them will agree Aliens was superior in almost every way and hands down, probably the best sequel to a movie ever made. So with this resounding success, when it was announced James Cameron would be directing the sequel to his own original hit “The Terminator”, with Arnold Schwarzenegger returning as the unstoppable killer cyborg from the future and early previews hinting at some of the best special effects ever to be committed on film, excitement and anticipation grew. 

Being just a young tyke in 1991, the only Schwarzenegger films I had seen at this point – and was only allowed to see – included “Twins” and “Kindergarten Cop”. And even though those films were lighter fare, my conservative dad would criticise the violent ending of Kindergarten Cop and the Almost-a-Sex-Scene in Twins (which he would get up and fast forward if we were watching the video, or stand in front of the TV if was playing that night to the amusement of my sisters and I). But Terminator 2: Judgement Day was going to take the world by storm and I wanted to see it at the movies more than anything. I wasn’t allowed to of course, and by the time it came out on video, I asked my parents if I could watch it. Mum quickly said “No!” as it was too violent, and dad nodded in supportive agreement. Secretly, he was hatching a plan to fulfil my wish given I was almost 10 and probably old enough to watch it now, under his strict supervision of course. One evening, while mum and my sisters went to dancing class, Dad came out with a video cassette under his jacket, revealing it with a smile. I almost jumped for joy when I saw the unmistakable front cover of Arnie sitting on the motorbike, a shotgun by his side, black leather jacket and sunglasses staring out at me saying, “I am the Terminator. Prepare to be Schwarzengger-rised” That was my perception of it anyway. It would be the first all-out action film of the biggest star in the world I would see and I couldn’t wait to watch it. 

That night, I watched it with my dad, captivated by what I saw on screen. A couple of years later, it premiered on TV for the first time (as we had to wait three whole years for movies to come on TV after their theatrical release back then) and I recorded it onto VHS. Whenever I got the chance, I watched it, and as I got older, I came to understand it better, and love it even more. I hadn’t seen the original Terminator film yet, as that would follow by the time I was about 13 or 14.

I can spare you a rundown of the story of Terminator 2, because lets face it, you’ve seen it, and probably more than once. Even twenty five years later, it still holds up as the best action film ever made in my opinion. I still get a thrill watching the T-1000 driving the black truck, chasing a young John Connor through the storm drain system of LA, while he flees on his motorbike. Then watching the T-800 fulfil his mission by flying off the edge of the concrete dam on his Harley, landing perfectly to avoid his enemy driving the truck, then gracefully pick up John with one hand and rescue him from death. From here, we go on an awesome ride of one adrenaline pumped chase after another, watching the T-1000 shape shift and assassinate anyone in his path with his array of liquid metal arsenal, in a relentless pursuit to kill the future leader of the human resistance. Then the extra fantastic element of this film came into play, with the presence of John’s mother, Sarah Connor. 

Played by the little seen but very talented actress Linda Hamilton, she channelled a performance which can be touted for reinventing the stereotype of women in Hollywood movies and introducing a whole new type of action hero. Hamilton’s performance was miles away from her portrayal of Sarah Connor in the original film. Where in the first instalment, she was young, naïve and caught in a situation she couldn’t even understand, this time around she’s ready, and knows what’s coming. Her strength, valour and resilience to warn the world of Judgement Day, even while locked up in a mental institution show’s how the attack on her by the original Terminator left her scarred, but ultimately stronger. Her presence in this film carried it to a whole new level, and it’s a performance for the ages. 

Then young Edward Furlong, who never did anything as good as this for the rest of this career (if he even has one left these days) was perfectly cast as the young John Connor. His on screen chemistry with Schwarzenegger was well matched, and their scenes are ever enjoyable to watch; thrilling, funny and touching at times. 

When Terminator 2 came out, it changed many things. Special effects would never be seen nor done the same way again. James Cameron proved once again that sequels could surpass their originals. And Schwarzenegger cemented his place in movie history as the biggest action star of all time. Twelve years later, he would return to play the Terminator again in what looked to be his final bow out from movies before entering a whole new career as a politician. 

Read review for "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines"

or 

Return to "Franchise Reviews"