One of the best movies ever made for every movie fan!
Timeless classic. Still as good, now as it was then.
"The Terminator" is a great movie but "Terminator 2" expands the story and adds even more action. Every moment that Robert Patrick's T-1000 terminator is on the screen is gold. When the T-1000 is frozen, shattered, and then reformed, it's a Hall-of-Fame Sci-Fi moment.
The music that accompanies the T-1000's appearances on-screen is like an alarm that warning you there's trouble, as if the sight of it running after you at high speed isn't already enough.
I think the biggest kick for me is the T-1000's ability to form "knives and stabbing weapons" (to quote Arnold's T-101), which it uses to kill, pry, torture, etc.
Schwarzenegger is great as the now human-friendly T-101. I love the way his cyborg becomes ultra-aggressive and attacks the T-1000 late in the film. I'm not sure I'm very big on the John Connor character. His behavior is the only thing that dates the film. I think his relationship with the T-101 brings some unwelcome corniness to the ending.
I watched the "Extreme DVD" edition of "Terminator 2" and it adds a number of scenes to the theatrical version that clear up some of the questions I had. For example, in the scene where the T-1000 has Sarah call for John in the steel mill. I always wondered why it didn't just kill Sarah and imitate her voice and appearance. As it turns out this occurs after the T-1000 has been frozen, shattered, and reformed. Several moments in between these events reveals that the liquid terminator is malfunctioning, which could explain why it needed Sarah to call out to John. It isn't just a case of being afraid to kill off main characters after all.
"T2" is another James Cameron classic and if you haven't seen it you're missing out on a great film.
Probably the only Arnold movie worth watching. Probably because he doesn't speak too much, and doesn't have to make an effort to act.
I don't really know how to review a classic, so instead, I am going to talk about the Extended version which has so many things which I feel should have been kept in the film. This film was already flawless but if you get a chance to watch the full directors cut or unedited which usually is on the Blu Ray, please give it a chance as the extra scenes add so much to the film and also shows that Cameron never wanted this to be a franchise because the first two films are so flawless.
The best cut of this film is the Extended Edition and for me, though I don't hate T3 or Salvation I will say that this cut of the film is perfect and ends the series perfectly.
I might be in the minority here, but The Terminator was better than Terminator 2. The soundtrack made a big difference imo. The soundtrack of the first movie created a bigger sense of urgency and suspense. In addition, the kid that plays John Connor isn't the best actor, which was a slight annoyance.
All in all, still a very good movie and worth watching.
Terminator
1 The Terminator (1984) https://trakt.tv/movies/the-terminator-1984
2 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) https://trakt.tv/movies/terminator-2-judgment-day-1991
3 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) https://trakt.tv/movies/terminator-3-rise-of-the-machines-2003
4 Terminator Salvation (2009) https://trakt.tv/movies/terminator-salvation-2009
5 Terminator Genisys (2015) https://trakt.tv/movies/terminator-genisys-2015
6 Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) https://trakt.tv/movies/terminator-dark-fate-2019
For several days I stood alongside several hundred People for hours late at night watching the filming of the scenes shot in the corporate business park in Fremont -- the building where Dyson worked, where the helicopter scene was, the police surrounded the entrance, Arnold shot up the police cars with the chain gun, and the building was engulfed by a giant flame ball.
Even though we were kept two blocks away (it wasn't completely developed at the time, so we had a clear line of sight though few of us had binoculars), and I caught the flu the first night.... And, even though it was painfully slow waiting for anything to happen...it was totally worth it in the end. Came back during the days and got to see the police cars and parking lot destruction (aftermath of the squibs) from the sidewalk, and then walking around the cars after shooting completed.
We couldn't make out whether actual actors were on the scene, or if it was just stunt People because of the distance.
I remember hearing Arnold tried to go to the mall there but was mobbed, and, like many other residents of Fremont/Newark, felt badly that that had happened. We wished his family could have been given the respect to enjoy a peaceful afternoon shopping,
I really enjoyed how they modified the facade of the building they pretended to destroy; it made a plain two story building look much bigger because they added horizontal lines to mirrored windows they added. At the time I thought it made it look like an optical illusion of having several stories, and looking much more modern than it really was. The highlights were the helicopter chases (one black chopper followed closely to film the blue police chopper as it flew by or hovered near the building), the parking lot battle and the chain gun scene, and, ultimately the fire ball explosion scene!
Seriously ? you want me to write a shout about T2 ?
I've watch it in premiere on a movie theatre and just stayed for the next screening again.
BEST
SAGA
EVER
for me the best film in the franchise, I really enjoyed it.
A surprisingly good sequel! Gotta love Arnold
If I tried to count every time I've seen this movie, the counter will probably show something huge, especially in the 90s. It was one of my favourite action movies at the time, and boy did it age well! It's still a masterpiece of directing.
In my mind only 1 and 2 exists and the alternate ending in 2 finishing off the franchise If you haven't seen the alternate ending I recommend it. :sunglasses::thumbsup:
Pretty much the perfect action movie.
I need your cloths, your boots, and your motorcycle.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is brilliant. Looks incredibly fucking simple at first, but gets more and more complex if you are really attentive to the story. The film has very gorgeous cinematic photography and a genius script. Obviously, for it's time, Terminator 2: Judgment Day was legendary because of it's astonishing CGI that shocked everyone. This film really demonstrated to it's time the awesome that came within technology and how much it is capable of.
The relationship between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Edward Furlong's characters were so beautifully portrayed. Terminator (Schwarzenegger) really had that perfect emotionless and robotic form to him, and it is amazing seeing him learn throughout the film alongside John Connor (Furlong). You can really sense his foreignness in scenes like when John Connor tears up and the Terminator asks "What's wrong with your eyes?" However, later in the end, we truly see him understand and learn the human emotions through the bond that is formed between him and little John, adding on a warm tone to the intensity of the film. Additionally, Linda Hamilton, who plays Sarah Connor, was fucking amazing. Her acting was so haunting and brutal at times. She really had a power demonstrated in her character.
Overall, Terminator 2: Judgment Day puts enough depth into spreading the knowledge on time travel for the audience to understand and has bad-ass scenarios, from the explosions to the gun shooting scenes, to even lines in the screenplay. Very enjoyable movie!
My favorite Director did an timeless epic-masterpiece. Yes, an epic. Every scene in this movie is beyond the perfection. The timeless plot. Groundbreaking effects. Unforgettable "Hasta la vista, baby." .
I hadn't watched this in years and, to be honest, I was somewhat trepidatious about how it would hold up. As it turns out I should have known better; it's every bit the smart, emotive powerhouse I remembered, and miles better than most modern efforts in the same niche.
One of the things I find most impressive about it is the respect it maintains for the original, where most sequels of this type (including T3 and Terminator Salvation) can't wait to distance and differentiate themselves from their lineage. Even though the first Terminator had aged quite a bit in the seven years between films, T2's sharp, daring script constantly cites events, characters and situations from its timeline like a religious zealot thumping the bible. It also builds directly upon the dark, challenging themes and premonitions of its predecessor, resulting in a towering, substantial world that seems so real I could almost touch it.
Of course, I'd be silly not to mention the still-spectacular action scenes, which flawlessly build in size and scale until they reach a timely crescendo at the end of the third act. CGI was still in its infancy in the early '90s, but James Cameron's knack for its timely, appropriate application is already at veteran levels in T2. As a direct result, those infamous scenes with a transmorphing T-1000 remain striking and impressive, where other effects of the period now seem clunky and unrealistic. Not only is it one of the best sequels ever, it's among the very best of the batch in multiple genres, and Arnold has never been more at-home in a character. This is an old ride that's aged like wine.
Best Movie of all Time!!
Arnold Schwarzenegger is the perfect example of "The American Dream". He came to America in 1968 as an immigrant with basically nothing, only a dream to become the worlds best bodybuilder. 44 years later his resume includes being the world's best bodybuilder 7 times in a row, being one of the biggest superstar actors in the world during the 80ies and 90ies, being one of the most wealthiest people in Hollywood, marrying into the Kennedy family (the one from which one of them became president and was assassinated) and off course the Governator! 2 terms in a row being the 38th Governor of California. To say that he has had an impressive life so far and that he has reached the absolute top in his many careers is an understatement.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is without a doubt the undefeated masterpiece on Arnold Schwarzenegger his (acting) career. And not only from Schwarzenegger, but also from Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick and (most likely) James Cameron.
The story is brilliant, simple at first sight, but complicated when you look deeper, and visually stunning. Skynet is still happening and John Connor is still the leader who is fighting a guerrilla movement against the robotic overlords who's only concern after it became "self-aware" is to wipe out every human being. Its a little bit like the Matrix, except humans are not inside an artificial environment used as batteries but instead in the real world as canon fodder. In order to prevent the resistance from gaining the upper hand a robot is send back in time to kill John Connor and the resistance sends back someone too in order to prevent it from happening. This time they send back a reprogrammed T-800 Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to protect his younger self.
Robert Patrick plays the role of the bad guy perfectly. He is emotionless, ruthless and unrelentless on his path to find and kill John Connor (Edward Furlong). That and his physical abilities (like changing his form into someone else and invulnerable to most weapons) make him without a doubt one of the best villains i have ever seen in a movie.
When it comes to time travel and time paradoxes this movie tries his best to explain it all, and surprisingly comes with a very good answer, yet very much in the style that is Hollywood (meaning that anything is possible, as long as it happens in the movies). From the first movie we already knew that Kyle Reese (the guy that stopped The Terminator from the first movie) is the father of John Connor. Meaning that if Skynet never send someone back into the past to kill Sarah Connor, Kyle Reese would never have been sent back into to the past to prevent the murder in the first place and John Connor would never have been born. But in this sequel James Cameron tries to explain that Skynet is basically its own creator. In the first movie the Terminator was destroyed in a hydraulic press, but a part of the machine survived and was recovered by Cyberdyne. The unusable remains of the Terminator were than used as inspiration and as a catalysator to radically change and speed up the process of computer development to the point where it eventually would become Skynet.
For its time this movie and the story was revolutionary and legendary. A little bit of CGI (computer generated images) doesn't mean a fart in these days since practically every major blockbuster movie is (over)doing it, but in the early 90ties it was still unheard off. You have to realize that computers back than were not mainstream, not fast and DOS was still one of the most used programs at the time. Internet (as it does right now) did not yet exist. Basically computers were still almost only for in the office at work or for geeks and nerds. But Terminator 2 showed for the first time to a large public what computers are really capable off.
Anyone who likes to watch movies and never saw this movie should put this one on the top of their movies to watch list. Even if you are not a fan of James Cameron or Arnold Schwarzenegger, i can guarantee you that your opinion on both of them will be (slightly) changed after seeing this movie. I won't go so far as to say that this is the best action movie of all times, because in my opinion that wouldn't do justice to other sublime movies like the first Matrix movie, or The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, or the latest Batman Trilogy. But it comes pretty damn close.
Epic movie, it makes you laugh, cry, think and make you crazy
This is my favorite action movie of all time! A huge milestone for film.
Hasta la vista baby!
(10 out of 10)
A great achievement in the film industry for its impressive action scenes, practical and digital effects, and heartfelt character development. Loved by many and considered to be one of the best sequels and action films of all time. To that, those people aren't wrong.
T2 is indeed just as good as people build it up to be. Though I now see the first Terminator as the best, this movie comes a close second. Not to say this movie hasn't achieved the height of the original. But, that it failed in the atmosphere and the horror of the unknown that the first accomplished to portray. Plus, it did take from what James Cameron worked on in Aliens for the parental arc.
A sequel should build upon the first and while the second may not be better than its predecessor, it can still be the perfect sequel. It changed the dynamics, continued the story naturally and increased the meaning of the first without copying its design. Yes, this movie does take from The Terminator in respect of set pieces and pacing in some points, as well as the overall plot. But here it is used to convey a stronger understanding with the characters. There is a bad guy, a good guy sent back through time again. But not only did Cameron change the dynamic, but he also changed Sarah Connor's perspective. Which is why it builds upon what we learned in the first. Since we were so grounded in Sarah's point of view last time, we can be set free to experience the change it naturally had on her. Plus for new viewers eyes, you have John's point of view to lean on. Again like I said in my The Terminator review, going into this movie blind directly helps and grounds you for the change-up like how the first was vague and left puzzle pieces for the first half-hour.
Now the reason I don't think this movie is as good as the first, or why it isn't a 10 is that it is using the same plot from the first, it has odd cuts that are jarring to me now that I've seen them. The T-1000 isn't as menacing as the first T-800 was, even if it wasn't the whole threat in this movie. But in its core, this film does have a genuine threat that we see, again, through Sarah's eyes. It's a wonderful way to distract from the fact that the physical villain is a bit weak.
At the heart of this film though, is the several messages that it naturally evolved from the first. The realisation of Sarah that nothing would be the same and cuts ties with her lost world. The confused and traumatic discovery that young John has to process. The teaching of the T-800 to respect the underlying factors to his mission, and to not do something knowing it won't matter in the long run. And the ties all these have in juxtaposition with Miles Dyson's family. It's how you raise your future, how you don't need to listen to fate. No one family is perfect, no one person is responsible.
This is what would set this film apart from all the rest. The fact that fate is a matter of perspective. It was the only one to work with this one ideal and changed the franchise inside-out only after a second film.
9/10
Milestone movie. Totally defined the action genre for generations to come. Proved that good storyline and breathtaking action can go hand in hand. I was 18 when this came out and it was the first movie I went to see twice. This should be part of every DVD or Blu Ray collection. They don't make em like this anymore and no actor today has that Arnold Schwarzenegger swag. Hundred years from now people will still watch this movie.
Classic flick again, and again and again.
Wow! This was even more awesome! Terminator 2: Judgment Day is one of those cases where the sequel can be equal or even better than the first film.
I think this film might be one of the best action films of all time! This is serious entertainment from beginning until the very last minute.
We can look at it without caring about the time travel paradoxes because if we do, we will definitely find some flaws. The important thing is that this story is not over complicated and it exist to provide us a lot of action, amazing explosions and gun shooting scenes and also some funny moments.
My goal was to see the two first films, I am not going to see the other two, at least for now. I hear that they are not very good and the important is that I finally saw this two essencial films.
Another must see classic that I was missing. Loved it!
Whaaaaaaat? There is an ALTERNATE ENDING! I had no clue!!! :O
It shows Sarah 30 years in the future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv5omWKXTqE
... what BenFranklin said, period!
With a big budget you almost reach the limit of spectacularity.
I love the chemistry between Schwarzenegger and Edward Furlong (amazing acting debut). I do think it's a bit too long though. Nevertheless a great sequel and I guess the last great Terminator movie, although I like most of them.
Legendary. Best part in the franchise as well. Milestone in screenplay and well integrated CGI into endless practical effects with a well done story.
This is my all time favorite movie. One of the few franchises where the sequel was better than the original. The cinematography, the stunts, the soundtrack, the dialogue and the character development are all just absolutely perfect.
Every time I watch it, I am reminded of being 8 years old in 1991, riding my bicycle with a shotgun-shaped stick jammed in the frame as if it were a Winchester Model 1887, ready to be drawn and flip-cocked. I was The Terminator then.
Terminator: "I need your clothes, your boots, and your motorcycle."
Biker: "You forgot to say please."
The first was awesome but this one's even better. It's not by much though. They're very similar movies but totally different at the same time. Same plot basically, it's a cat and mouse chase with a family-driven storyline. What makes Judgement Day a little better is primarily one thing: there's more action! The action is adrenaline pumping and the numerous action set pieces are all memorable.
We once again get three main characters and i'd say the characters were an improvement over the first. I love the twist on Arnold's Terminator this time around and him being good fits way better with the character and makes for some interesting character dynamics. My favorite subplot is Terminator learning stuff from John, what a cool and at times heartwarming combo. Sarah is even more of a badass in this one but I still think she's the less interesting character out of the bunch.
The T-1000 was the perfect villain, loved seeing his "powers" at play, truly great sci-fi. The special effects are completely different from the first, they're a bit more modern and realistic but just as innovative. Cameron sure knows how to use fire in his movies. The lighting and colors are impressive especially in the third act. The score is ok, nothing really memorable unfortunately. Sarah's narration feels unnecessary. Absolutely bonkers non-stop action third act.
The way James Cameron's genius and Arnold Schwarzenegger's brawn blend together, it's like a big-budget ballet of bullets and bots. T2 is a glorious follow-up that amps up everything, from the breathless action sequences to the heart-racing, nail-biting suspense. There's just something about the sheer thrill of watching Arnie uttering the iconic "I'll be back", then ripping the whole place apart. And let's not forget Linda Hamilton, our Sarah Connor, who's grittier and even more badass than before, the real cherry on this cinematic sundae. The special effects, oh boy! They've pushed the boundaries of what was considered possible, making that liquid metal T-1000 a part of film legend. All in all, T2 is a perfect blend of action, sci-fi, and drama. It's more than just a popcorn flick, it's a genre-defining classic that still packs a punch. Believe me, folks, they don't make them like this anymore.
This movie literally changed the game.
The essence of action cinema. After 32 years from the premiere and many screenings, it still keeps you in suspense. And that music!
A smart flip on the premise of the first film. The set pieces are brilliantly staged and imaginative, you only have to watch them once before they burn themselves onto your memory. There’s also great comedic moments, beautiful camerawork, boundary pushing effects and interesting character moments. My only real complaint is that some of the sound effects and soundtrack in the first third can feel a little dated, even for a film from 1991. There are also some minor moments of weak acting, but in the broader context of James Cameron films, the one liners and emotional resonance are so good here that I barely even notice it.
8.5/10
Awesome movie. I’d only seen a few of the iconic clips, but I’m glad I finally watched the whole thing.
You have to watch through the bad CGI, but you can’t really blame it for that (‘91 for crying out loud). Even if you can’t do that, it’s still holds up really well in all other ways. One fun movie!
Hasta la vista, baby!
Goddamn, I have to agree it’s one of the best Arny has made
Not only is the sequel better than the first Terminator movie, it has also aged really well. I'm watching a remastered 1080p/10-bit copy in 2022 and this can pass off as a recently made movie with a 90's theme. Even the special effects look fairly advance for a movie made in the early 90's.
I'm sure some of this can be attributed to the increased budget James Cameron received thanks to the first movie's success ($102 million vs $6.4 million for T1). I'm glad they spent it wisely.
Fair. I like The Terminator original movie better but in my opinion this is the best ending out of all of them.
This is a must see. I watched it so many times back in the 90s, I’ll probably need watch it again, but this is one of those movies that will always be a highlight of the 90’s.
A classic! Yes! But there are better action movies that are rated much lower than this, which leads me to think that this movie is just overrated. People rate it high because it holds sentimental value to them. But as far as story and acting, it's pretty Meh, especially watching this close to the actual year 2029.
The Platonic ideal of an action film.
He's back! Terminator 2: Judgment Day re-envisions the franchise and became the model for the summer blockbusters of the '90s. Writer/director James Cameron retcons the series and changes it to have a more hopeful message. With the retcon, there is now a second terminator who was sent back in time to kill John Connor as a child. And unlike the predestination theme of The Terminator, T2 changes the message to "no fate but what we make." Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton return, and are joined by Edward Furlong and Robert Patrick. Furlong is adequate as John Connor, but still brings a lot of the problems and annoyances that are typical with child actors. However, Robert Patrick is outstanding as the T-1000, and turns him into one of the most memorable and terrifying villains in sci-fi. There is a problem with the film going a little too commercial, with the Terminator getting paired up with a smartass kid who teaches him slang and to not kill, but this is more than made up for with tons of action and amazing special effects. Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a spectacular film that combines compelling science fiction drama with action/adventure.
This really holds up well. Some of the special effects are definitely dated, but the story, pacing, acting, and directing are all great. Some of the stunt scenes blew me away. It's just crazy what those actors were able to pull off with little to no CGI.
Massive achievement of its day. Made for a different audience than the first movie but still as good. Kind of a blockbuster that stays faithful to the story. I think I slightly prefer the original Termintor because it's a flawless movie in originality, characters and pace. The plot in T2 started to get a little knotted and the gritty tone was replace by explosions. Elements of fun entered like 'the machine' learning humans habits, which is kind of unoriginal but a deal breaker.
Still such a great, entertaining action/sci-fi classic. As time has passed, I've come to see through the bullsh!t in this movie, but that doesn't make it not entertaining.
Imo, the best of the terminator movies, followed by the first, then Genesis, then T3...
@trippymanni Stupid comment. So you're saying The Terminator, Total Recall, True Lies and Twins etc aren't worth watching? Jog on.
Between this and Aliens James Cameron has proved that you can make a great sequel that builds on the original story yet stands alone. Unfortunately, Hollywood took this as ‘all sequels can work’ and started churning out lazy cash-grabs. We probably need to send Arnie back in time to deal with him.
Then again perhaps we shouldn’t because this stands as a masterpiece of action cinema. The formula is simple - one robot is sent back in time to kill John Connor, another is sent back to protect him. On the face of it, Terminator 2 is just two robots shooting at each other. In reality, it’s all in the execution.
Everything about this film hits the spot. The special effects are still slick as ever and the action is used sparingly enough to still be effective. Cameron seems to have an instinct for when his audience might start to get fatigued as things get louder, and knows when to pick up the pace in quieter scenes. It’s hard to believe this is the same man who made Avatar.
An action masterpiece that has somehow aged less than the sequel they made in 2015.
http://benoliver999.com/film/2016/12/03/terminator2judgementday/
So just to see how exceptional this movie was:
Until Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), this was the only sequel to win an Academy Award when the previous installment(s) received no nomination.
Terminator 2 is one of my favorite action movies of all time and here is why:
My favorite Terminator movie: the acting and SFX are far superior to the first Terminator flick and there are some nice twists in the plot...
Hasta la vista, baby! :)
Ben nailed it on the head
Best action movie of all time, period!
Shout by Galileo5BlockedParent2017-04-02T15:12:21Z
There are only three movie franchises where the sequel is better than the original. Rocky, Star Wars and Terminator.