Connor Macgregor Reviews...Terminator 2: Judgement Day
INTRO: Terminator was a smash hit in 1984, cementing Arnie as a cultural icon, and kicking off James Cameron's spectacular filmmaking career in the process. 7 years later, and it was finally time for the sequel. And this was no ordinary sequel.
SUMMARY: Over 10 years have passed since the first robot called The Terminator tried to kill Sarah Connor and her unborn son, John. The man who will become the future leader of the human resistance against the Machines is now a healthy young boy. However, another Terminator, called the T-1000, is sent back through time by the supercomputer Skynet. This new Terminator is more advanced and more powerful than its predecessor and its mission is to kill John Connor when he's still a child. However, Sarah and John do not have to face the threat of the T-1000 alone. Another Terminator (identical to the same model that tried and failed to kill Sarah Conner in 1984) is also sent back through time. This Terminator has been reprogrammed by the future Resistance on the orders of adult John. This Terminator's mission is to protect John and Sarah Connor at all costs. The battle for tomorrow has begun.
STORY & CHARACTERS: The story of Terminator 2 is deeper, more developed and the stakes much higher. With John Connor now in the picture, the target drifts from Sarah onto him. Edward Furlong plays a troubled, cocky yet resourceful child with the ability to get himself out of difficult situations and display early leadership skills for the oncoming fight. Sarah Connor is also very different. More bitter, cynical, and hardened. She's a colder character from before, and more battle prepped. The T-800 also has a fun character arc, learning more about human emotions and developing a somewhat curious personality. The villain is the T-1000 and arguably one of the best in film cinema. His ruthless pursuit of the trio, and twice as powerful as the T-800 in every way. Smaller roles include: Miles Dyson, one of the people working on an early Skynet who comes midway into the film and plays an important role, as well as Dr. Silverman, a therapist from the first film with now a larger role. Not the nicest of characters in this story, and definitely one you feel little sympathy for.
ACTION: The action goes up a notch in this film, going far and beyond Terminator 1 and creating action set pieces that stand the test of time. Even the smaller ones are impressive and exciting. And that's the key word: exciting. James Cameron can film and create exciting action sequences that make this film so fantastic when watching it. Whether its the extended chase sequence with John, The T-1000 and The T-800, or the long sequence in Cyberdyme with the four protagonists & the police. You're never bored, you're constantly entertained, and it folds perfectly into the next plot point.
EFFECTS: What makes Terminator 2 such a stand out is the groundbreaking visual effects of this time. The T-1000 is a marvel of its time, breaking the ground in effects and using the cutting edge technology of its time to create a menacing, almost unstoppable villain challenging The T-800. It allows for some really iconic moments in the film, as well as luring the audience into a sense of awe and astonishment. The practical effects act as a sweet companion to these moments when nessacary, with Stan Winston at work as the master of practical effects.
OVERALL: Terminator 2 is one of the greatest sequels ever made, with the top-notch story, phenomenal character arcs, groundbreaking effects and action scenes to die for.
RATING: 100% - A+