SPLATTERdrome

Release Date: July 3rd, 1991

Director: James Cameron

Screenwriter: James Cameron & William Wisher

Genre: Science fiction

 

 

Terminator 2: Judgment Day plays host to a most unusual phenomenon; a villain becoming so wildly popular that the filmmakers bring him back as the hero. Not since The Grinch and Darth Vader has an antagonist been welcomed back by the audience with such enthusiasm. 

 

T2 picks up ten years after Sarah Connor scrapped Arnold 1.0 and took off to Mexico with a bun in the oven. Another attempt is made to assassinate her son (played here by the squealing Edward Furlong) and this time it's Arnold to the rescue. We're introduced to a new villain in the shape-shifting T-1000, an advanced Terminator model which can quickly repair injuries and disguise itself as people or objects. The visual effects used for this purpose are outstanding.

 

Although I still prefer the darker tone of the first film there's no ignoring how good this sequel is. More accurately, it's about the most perfect blockbuster action film I can remember seeing outside of The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark. The action scenes are ramped up considerably from the original but are balanced with well-paced character and plot development. The casting is excellent and the writers did a great job of adding depth to the storyline. We learn more about how the machine uprising occurs as the characters continually take steps to prevent it. 

 

I get the impression that James Cameron did his best to prevent further sequels, the conclusion here pretty much wraps things up with a bow. It's no surprise that someone eventually picked up the torch in a money grab, I just can't believe it took twelve years. (segue)