Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) (Movie Review)

  Writer, producer, and director James Cameron is one of those special filmmakers who’ll forever have their name edged in the Hollywood hall of fame. He breathed new life into the Sci-Fi genera with the 1984 classic “The Terminator”. He then proved that a sequel could be on par, or perhaps even better than the original with the 1986 Sci-Fi classic “Aliens”. Finally, he proved that a Romance picture could dominate the Box Office with the 1997 classic “Titanic”. Yes, his movies continue to be an influence on young filmmakers, and movie lovers all these years later. For me personally, my absolute favorite of his collective works, and one of my all-time favorite movies, is his classic 1991 Sci-Fi sequel “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” … which is long overdue for a review on my sight. 2021 will mark this movie’s thirty-year anniversary, making it the perfect time to look back, and celebrate why this film hardly even feels dated after all these years. In general, Sci-Fi and action are my two favorite genera’s … and I honestly believe that “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” is the absolute greatest blending of the two … with “The Matrix” being a close second. However, where “The Matrix” had a closer lean-to Science Fiction, T2 delivers more on action … but still gives us more then what the genera would typically deliver, including reverent morals, deep character arc’s, and compelling themes, resulting in one of cinemas most decorated action movie achievements.

  The movie begins with a top-tier opening title sequence, in which we see a glimpse of the future war with human kind battling the machines. Even though it’s only a short glimpse, it’s always stuck with me as a memorable battle sequence in the Sci-Fi genera. While the flashbacks in the original were also effective, this one takes it up a notch … not just with better effects, and a large variety of different killer robots on display, but there’s also more disturbing imagery of the innocents that perished along the way. The ground is covered in human skulls, playgrounds are ingulfed in flames, and Brad Fiedel’s iconic music score enhances the mood. It’s one of those perfect scores that weaves different emotional ques into one offering. It’s a score that’s ominous and foreboding, as well as somber and touching in tone. Finally, this score gets me hyped as hell with those final notes, paired with the imposing image of an angry robot terminator standing amidst the flames. It’s simply one of those openings that pulls me right into the experience and says … “You’re not doing anything else right now, it’s movie time”.    

  In many respects, this movie follows the same formula as the original, and yet, it somehow feels like its own unique experience separate from the first. In this film, a robot assassin is sent through time to kill a young boy named John Conner, who in the future will lead a human revolt against an organized army of killer robots called Skynet, and come out victorious. 

A second robot assassin is then sent through time to protect him … and in a refreshing twist, this terminator bears a resemblance to the original evil robot killer from the first movie, who was sent to kill John’s mother Sara Conner before the boy was even born. In the present day, Sara is the only person with knowledge of this horrible future, in which machines ruled the planet, and it’s turned her into a paranoid mental nutcase. Now, in order to protect her son, she finds herself in a frustrating position to trust the very same killer robot she fled from years earlier, which is a thrilling dynamic on its own. However, protecting her son isn’t good enough, as she sets off on a mission to prevent Skynet from ever coming into existence. This leads us to an engineer named Miles Dyson, who’s just a humble family man, and completely unaware that his breakthrough in machines will bring about man-kinds doom. This makes him a target for Sara, who’s subsequently become a figurative terminator of her own making, as she’s willing to kill an innocent man for a crime that he’ll be oblivious to making. While Sara is becoming more of a rouge killer, Johns Terminator guardian is gradually booming more human, is taking the place of a father figure the boy never had, and slowly becoming aware of the value of when it’s important to kill and when not to.

   In essence, the main reason this sequel feels distant from the first movie is for the journey of our four-principal hero’s, and how each one changes from where they started. 

John Conner begins as a street-wise, smart mouthed little punk, who’s only looking out for himself, but gradually he has to mentally grow-up, not just to survive, but also to be a moral-compass for both his mother, and his terminator protector. Edward Furlong’s portrayal of John is still one of the greatest child performances, with a wide range of effective emotions and witty remarks. Sara Conner probably goes through the most changes of any character, starting as a mental-case, to hardened soldier, to someone re-discovering hope in the face of a dark and unknown future. Linda Hamilton reprised her role as Sara from the first film, and set a new templet for bad-ass female leads in an action movie. For whatever it’s worth, no-one else makes pumping a shot-gun look as hard core as Sara Conner in this film. Despite coming latter in the film, Miles Dyson’s journey also shouldn’t be overlooked, as he goes from passionate inventor, to someone willing to sacrifice all his work, his dreams, and even his life for the good of man-kinds future. Joe Morton’s portrayal of Miles Dyson feels as human as they get, and his big sacrifice scene leaves a powerful impact every time I watch this movie.    

  Naturally, the big star one who steals the show is Arnold Schwarzenegger reprising his role as the T-800 terminator, now turned hero. 

While Arnold was already a hit action-movie star, and his terminator a pop-culture icon, this is the movie that launched both his career, and his character into the realms of absolute greatness. His introduction scene alone is one of the greatest of any action star, as he picks a fight in a bar, leaves with his signature leather jacket and shades, all while set to George Thorogood & The Destroyers song “Bad to the Bone”. Beyond being a plain awesome presence, his journey is one of my favorites of any action hero. He goes from being a senseless killer robot, to someone who learns the value of human life, and the way we see him evolve through the film is brilliant. Even Arnolds performance is better then what you’d expect from an emotionless robot. Despite being devoid of human feelings, Arnold manages to infuses the character with a subtle personality, and even a reserved sense of hummer. After getting knocked around senselessly, he’ll wittingly remark ... “I need a vacation”. I also love when John uses a pay-phone, and askes if his terminator has any change, to which he responds by punching-in the coin box and giving John a quarter ... it’s great. Something this movie doesn’t get enough credit for is a refreshing amount of levity amidst all the action and dread. The funniest scene of all follows after the terminator swears not to kill anyone, then shoots the legs out of a security guard, and casually follows-up with … “He’ll live”.  

  Of course, for as great as the heroes are, I can’t dismiss the liquid metal T-1000 … who’s absolutely one of my favorite movie villains. 

Unlike the other characters, the sinister T-1000 is admittedly kind of one-note, as he’s an assassin with one direct task to kill our young hero John Conner. Yet, even though he doesn’t have the same depth and layers of the other characters, he still shines as one of cinema’s great villains … simply through the level of menace and excitement he brings to the screen. He doesn’t even look as tough as Arnold at face value, which makes him unpredictable, and subsequently even more terrifying. Contrasting Arnold’s Terminator, who has to learn about human personality’s, the T-1000 has a perfect poker-face, knows how to imitate the people around him, and easily blends into the crowd. Robert Patrick shines with a dual performance, that’s charming and unassuming at one moment … then cold-faced and sinister the next. The icing on the cake are his liquid metal shapeshifting abilities that visually knock my socks-off every time I watch this film. Not only were the effects ground breaking for the time, but they also come in a wide variety of different designs, shapes, abilities, and weapons. It never once feels repetitive, as the visuals are utilized in just the right doses without becoming overkill.

  Actually, despite the breakthrough CGI on display, they never once overshadow the stunning practical effects, explosions, and stunts on display. 

Everything ranging from motorcycles leaping off-of ledges, or crashing through windows onto a helicopter, to driving a truck off a ledge, to flying a helicopter across a freeway and under a bridge … they’re all practical, in-camera effects, that if released today would probably be digital effects. This is why the action holds-up after all these years … it feels as real, as dangerous, and as white knuckled as they get. The car chase through the aqueduct, with Arnold twirling his shot-gun while on motorcycle … it’s still one of the great action movie chase scenes. Both the battles and chases come in the right variety, and are spaced out properly, to the point where it never feels like too much of a good thing at once. Also, for an R ratted action movie, it never once glorifies violence the same way other films in the genera do. In fact, there’s a riveting shootout in which the terminator is determined not to kill a single person, and it highlights how an action scene can be exhilarating without mangled bodies, or a repetitively high body count. The film even has the curtesy to go a step further by examining the disturbing nature and terror of human violence. In fact, it’s all summed-up in one disturbing visual of two kids pretending to kill each-other with toy guns, to which Arnolds Terminator cryptically remarks … “It’s man kinds destiny to destroy themselves”.    

  Rarely can a rock-solid action movie balance spectacle with substance, but “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” finds that perfect middle ground between insane levels of entertainment, with just enough moral intelligence to make it something special. The overarching theme of the movie is about finding hope, and how hope for the best in human nature can make a bright future. In fact, the movie sums everything up in one meaningful statement, that there’s … “No Fate … but what we make for ourselves!”. I especially love that the time travel elements of the film aren’t just a plot devise to get two characters from point A, to point B. Instead, it’s also used as a means for starting discussions, and implications on how one should move-forward with knowledge of a possible future. Usually, in time-travel movies of this sort, there’s someone stating that you shouldn’t mess with time, but in this case, the visitor from the future actually suggests that killing someone might be acceptable, if it means saving lives. However, the film wisely counters with wisdom being our greatest strength before violent actions. This leads to one of my favorite individual moments in all of Science Fiction cinema … when Arnolds Terminator approaches Myles Dyson for the first time, pulls out a knife, and cuts the flesh off his robotic arm, revealing his mechanical hand to the very person who’s working on the technology, and follows-up by saying … “Listen to me very carefully”. I can’t even count how many times I’ve watched this, but every time, this scene leaves me with chills from head to toe.              

  As if it weren’t obvious at this point, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is one of those movies that’s packed wall-to-wall with memorable scenes that have always stuck with me. I love when John meets both Terminators for the first time, is caught in their cross fire, and we discover which robot is the killer, and which is the protector. Also, I always loved Arnold concealing his shot-gun in a box of roses … fitting sense John was listening to a “Guns N’ Roses” album earlier in the film. Of course, I have to mention what could well be the most haunting and disturbed nightmare sequence ever put to film. With Sara Conner fearful of mankind’s unknown future, she drifts off to sleep, and imagines seeing the collapse of human kind, with everything falling victim to a massive nuclear bombing. Speaking personally for a moment, one of my biggest fears is that of a nuclear holocaust. This whole sequence feels as real, and as terrifying as a first-person perspective of civilization being nuked can possibly be. The images are intense, the tone is ominous, and once again, it focuses on the innocents that get caught in the blast. It’s a chilling moment that leaves me terrified every time, and it still stands as one of the most unforgettable dream sequences ever put to film.

  The climax of the movie takes place in a Steel Mill, in which we’re treated to one of the most riveting hero versus villain showdowns ever. Sense both Arnolds Terminator, and the sinister T-1000 are both robots, they can get away with a number of abilities, stunts, and battle damage that you just couldn’t get away with in a normal action movie. It’s a feast for the eyes, as well as very suspenseful. Usually, an action movie hero is overly glorified as someone who can leap though fire, and stand firm against any opposition without even flinching ... which is especially true for most of Arnolds action movies. In this movie however, despite being a tough as nails robot, Arnolds heroic terminator gets his butt kicked several times, and is squarely in the position of underdog. He gets impaled through the back, his face gets pulverized, he even loses an arm, yet he still keeps rising up to his more powerful adversary, and it’s what makes this such a riveting final showdown. 

   As if there weren’t enough great things going for this movie … it all comes to a close with an ending that reportedly brings out tears to us hardened action movie fans. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s terminator has finally found the value of human life, and chooses to sacrifice his own existence for the good of man kind’s future. While the character was consistently a bad ass, this is the moment that really characterized him as one of the genera’s great heroes. The real strength of this scene lies in its simplicity. There’s no overly-long sympathetic speech, as his touching goodbye to John is summed up in one simple, yet humble statement, as he quietly says … “I know now why you cry ... and it's something that I cannot do”. The music is subtle yet effective, the select words are genuine without being preachy, and it just leaves me with chills all over. When the credits start rolling, I’m always left in a little trance, like ... wow, what a perfect ending to a great movie.

  Honestly, if action movies like “Raiders of the Lost Arc”, “Black Panther”, “Avatar”, and “Mad Max: Fury Road” can get nominated at the Oscars for Best Picture … then why not this movie too? Being realistic, it’s not in the same caliber as other meaningful cinematic achievements, but as far as action movie entertainment is concerned … this movie is perfect, and goes that extra mile beyond other disposable films of the genera. There’s a reason it continues to appear on countdowns of greatest movie sequels … because it stands as a great movie on its own without the first, and is debatably superior. 

While the original is of course worth watching, it also isn’t required to watch in order to follow, and enjoy this one on its own. While it wasn’t nominated for best picture, it did receive two Oscar nominations for Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing. On top of that, it also won four Academy Awards for Best Make-Up, Best Sound Design, Best Sound Mixing, and obviously it won the Oscar for Best Special Effects. I should also note the extended-cut of “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” that’s well worth checking out if you’re a fan. It gives Miles Dyson more scenes to get developed as a main character, as we see more of his family ties. There’s also a terrific vision scene in which Sara is visited by Kyle Reese from the first film, and played again by Michael Biehn. While some of the added fluff with Arnolds Terminator is kid of cringe, I’d say that the extended-cut overall is well worth seeking out. Also, despite it’s lengthy run-time of 152 minutes, the movie just flies by, even on repeat viewings. Seriously, I never once feel the length of this film, and am always stunned that 152 minutes can feel like a short hour.   

   In the end, if I were to call myself a Terminator fan, I’m mainly referring to this film alone, and not the franchise as a whole. That’s not to slam the original 1984 movie “The Terminator”, as I’ve always respected it as a classic, it’s engaging to watch, and it’s an important benchmark for the Sci-Fi genera. Having said that, it’s never stuck with me as any kid of personal favorite either, and I’ve never really felt any need to re-watch it the way I do with other films I enjoy. The following sequel “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” is admittedly something of a guilty pleasure, as it is a movie I occasionally enjoy repeat viewings of in the span of a decade, but only as straight-forward pop-corn entertainment, and not as any kid of masterpiece. 

Every Terminator movie that’s followed after T3 has been disposable, unnecessary, and completely purged from my memory. “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is the one exception of the franchise that I happily re-watch in a span of three years, and it has a secure placement as one of my all-time favorite movies … like top 10 for sure. It’s a film that simply gets better with age, and hardly feels dated. Even after thirty years, it’s simply the gift that keeps on giving. It’s also an important example of how a highly entertaining merger of both Sci-Fi and action can also have substance and emotional strength at its center, which goes hand in hand with all its spectacle. The characters have depth, the morals have substance, the effects are still eye-popping, the action riveting, and even if you’re not a fan of the genera, I’d still say this movie is worth watching at least once. If you’re either a fan of action or Science Fiction, then “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is mandatory viewing, as it still stands as one of the greatest … and personal favorite of what both genera’s have to offer.    

Thanks for reading my review of the classic 1991 sequel “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” … and continue to enjoy the movies you love.