Terminator 2 - Judgment Day (DVD)

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Good
Special Effects	Outstanding
Soundtrack	Good

Advantages:	superb special effects, goes deeper into the story
Disadvantages:	not alot

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

3 billion human lives ended on August 29th, 1997. The survivors of the nuclear fire called the war Judgement Day. They lived only to face a new nightmare: the war against the machines. The computer, which controlled the machines, Skynet, sent two Terminators back through time. Their mission: to destroy the leader of the human resistance, John Connor, my son. The first Terminator was sent to strike at me in the year 1984. It failed. The second was set to strike at John himself when he was still a child. As before, the resistance was able to send a lone warrior, a protector for John. It was just a question of which one of them would reach him first... - Sarah Connor's opening remarks

The original "Terminator" was a low budget sci.fi B-Moive that became a great success, probably one of the most successful in the eighties. Just like "Star Wars - A New Hope" back in the seventies. A sequel must have been on the cards for "The Terminator". James Cameron proved that he has exceptional film making talent (he conveniently rubbed previous disaster "Piranha 2" from his CV). This time around for "Terminator 2: Judgement Day", Cameron has had much more money to play with: over $100,000,000 in fact, the first time in film history. Hollywood obviously think that he's good for it, and by god is he. "Terminator 2" or "T2", arguably better than its predecessor made grand total of $516,800,000 world-wide making it the 30th most successful film in the history of films and believe me, there are a lot of films about.

For those unfamiliar with the story so far, I shall re aliterate, if the opening quote from the film was not enough (you can also read my review of the original "Terminator" if you still crave for knowledge). Back in 1984 a cyborg, known as the Terminator went back in time from the 21st Century to the eighties to assassinate a woman named Sarah Connor. The reason for this was that she is the soon to be mother of the child that rises up and becomes the leader of the human race when a future war breaks out between humans and machines. But, to help Sarah, a soldier is sent back through time to protect her from the Terminator. She of course survives the ordeal otherwise there wouldn't be a sequel...

The story for "T2" fits in with the original without being too contrived or laboured. It has been ten years since the incidents seen in the first "Terminator", John Connor, the future leader of the human rebels in the war against the machines, (played by Edward Furlong - "American History X") is now a ten year old boy who lives with foster parents Todd & Janelle Voight (Xander Berkeley and Jenette Goldstein). John's mother, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton - "The Terminator", "Dante's Peak") is in a mental institution because of the things that happened to her ten years ago and her knowledge of the apocalyptic future.

It is late night/early morning and a bronzed, naked man appears from a bubble of energy from the future; 2029. It is a Terminator (Arnold Scwarzenegger - "True Lies", "Predator"). After he acquires clothes weapons and a mode of transport, he goes in search for his target John Connor. On the other side of town another man (Robert Patrick - "D-Tox", "Cop Land") appears naked in a bubble of energy. He murders a policeman checking out the flashing lights, steals his clothes and squad car, he is also looking for John Connor. From here it is a race against time as both men are trying to locate the boy, John Connor, one with orders to protect, the other with orders to kill.

After they separately track him down to a Los Angeles Mall, it turns out that the Terminator (Schwarzenegger) wants to keep Connor alive, whilst the other, the T-1000 (Patrick) a more advanced Terminator wants him dead. After the Terminator gets John out of harms way, the Terminator fills him in on what is happening and why.

John Connor: You're not here to kill me - I figured out that for myself. So what's the deal?
The Terminator: My mission is to protect you.
John Connor: Yeah? Who sent you?
The Terminator: You did. 35 years from now you reprogrammed me to be your protector here - in this time.
John Connor: This is deep...

He also briefs him about the other Terminator, the T-1000. It seems that the T-1000 is a polymeric alloy; hence liquid metal. The T-1000 is able to shapeshift his body into numerous sharp objects. It can also imitate something of similar mass and size, e.g. a person; if sampled by physical contact. With the possible risk of the T-1000 going to the metal institute to imitate John's mother in the attempt to reacquire him, John decides to go to the mental institute to break his mum (Sarah) out before the T-1000 makes contact. After a daring escape they leave the city where Sarah finds out about the beginnings of Skynet, the military super computer that eventually destroys half the world's populous in nuclear fire. She also finds out the whereabouts of its creator and developer, Miles Dyson (Joe Morton), who is unaware of the dangers that loom within his creation.

Performances are good all-round. Austrian Oak Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as the physically immense, bulletproof Terminator. His character however is different from that of his previous Terminator character in the previous film since he is a different unit (all Terminators look like Schwarzenegger). His character in this chapter is more learning than relentless killing although there is plenty of destruction caused. Being reportedly paid $15 million, half of it in the form of a private jet, Arnie had far more to say in this film, about 700. That means he got paid in the region of $21,429 per word, more than some people earn in a year! It is arguable that his more talkative Terminator in this film suffers compared to the emotionless, stone cold persona of the original. Although he talks more and is forced to promise not to kill people, he does destroy more buildings, vehicles and people's shins. Taking a Minigun (a gun that is in fact not so mini) to the entire police force waiting outside was never even dreamed of until James Cameron did of course. Schwarzengger does however give a good performance, which for Mr Universe is easier said than done. Because he has more to say, he can deepen the character of the Terminator and by the end of the film, comes to value human life rather than destroy it like ordered to before his reprogramming.

Within the seven-year period between films, Schwarzenegger became one of the most loved stars in Hollywood history. His profile soared as high as his broad shoulders and was a pal of the US President. For him to reprise his role as the bad guy wasn't a good option, Hollywood Politics wise. This is where Robert Patrick comes in, as the new, technically advanced T-1000 prototype. Although physically out of Schwazenegger's league, he provides the same menace and evil that the first Terminator did for us back in 1984. Patrick manages to achieve a genuine sense of fear with the audience that not many screen villains manage to obtain. The thought of no one knowing what he could be capable of, and his constant stalking of John Connor made for a very errie and genuinely scary performance.

Linda Hamilton is buffed up as independent, head-strong Sarah Connor, up until this point, there haven't been many female heroic characters in cinema; Ripley in "Alien" perhaps but that’s about it. Her single mindedness towards the latter half of the film bears an ironic resemblance to the Terminator and his natural task that is killing. She is very much different from the bubbly, mullet sporting, waitress we were introduced to in the first film. Her dedication in this film is incredible and duely noted, the physical shape she got into shows her commitment without doubt. She is thouroghly convincing and has so much energy that gives the film a great boost.

Edward Furlong is exceptional as future human resistance leader, John Connor. He can prove that he is not just some random child actor dragged off the street by the casting director, he can act and does it well. He had so much potential but night after night of heavy drinking and white line snorting killed his chances of featuring in "Terminator 3".

Joe Morton ("Speed", "Paycheck") also puts in a fine performance as Skynet creator, Miles Dyson, he provides more information about the technology that it entails and the links between this film and the previous (other than it being a sequel of course). Earl Boen reprises his role as Psychiatrist, Dr. Peter Silberman. His character has progressed from being a criminal psychologist in the first film to being the head of the mental institute in which Sarah Connor was situated. His role in this film is far meatier and gives a good performance.

James Cameron has slowed down recently. He hasn't directed a mainstream film since "Titanic" back in 1997. for the last seven years, he's done a few documentaries and "Dark Angel" a TV series, but he is reportedly to be soon returning to the big screen to put the competition to shame after seeing the standard of special effects. Cameron has been a vital person in the birth and enhancement of special effects. Pushing his film crews as hard as possible with his legendary 'No sh*t' attitude. He was the first director to use CGI in underwater thriller "The Abyss" in 1989. "Terminator 2" enhances the special effects that were seen in "The Abyss" greatly, making them some of the greatest effects ever made. A true cinema landmark. The effects in this film are not dated at all. The T-1000's liquid shape shifting sequences can still beat effects in modern films. This film was made in 1991 and it can still beat films being made now!

Cameron wrote and directed the film as with the original; that came about via a nightmare he had once involving a metal skeleton walking through flames. From something that was a random nightmare, Cameron has created one of the most successful and most cherished franchises in cinema history. His script is simple but true to life. His direction is paced, enthralling and exciting. Although it was a great gamble made by Cameron. The original "Terminator" was dark and had a horror edge. The second focuses more on the action sequences, which are in abundance and are superb. Cameron also took a chance have his bad guy mainly be a special effect. "Terminator 2" doesn't have the B-Movie charm that its predecessor had, but your too busy picking your jaw up off the floor to care. Cameron's writing collaboration with William Wisher (has cameo appearances in both films) tells the story straight without deviating too much. The potentially complicated time travel concept in the story is never really that complicated. Cameron's simple but brilliant approach to the technically complex film shines. Cameron's direction remains immaculate throughout, the sometimes under ratted director pushes his team and hence pushes the envelope to create some of the best effects and most iconic imagery in modern film. Schwazenegger riding a Harley wearing leather, sunglasses, holding a shotgun and having a mean face for example. Arguably Cameron has done more for cinema than Steven Spielberg.

The original film only had a few million to spend, sometimes not even having a permit to film at certain locations. The sequel however has a production cost bigger than Arnie's biceps, originally staring off at $60 million which was still a lot back in the early nineties, which was then spiralled up to $100 million as the CGI rendering took centre stage, certainly money well spent as (aforementioned) the film grossed over $500 million at the box office. The infamous flashback (or flashforward) scenes in the original film, showing the future war throughout the rumble of the nuclear ridden planet had miniature flying HKs (Hunter Killers) with cardboard hulls and wings. In "Terminator 2" we are given a visual spectacle of a treat as the film opens with a future battle sequence from the year 2029, which alone makes the action in the original seem a little obsolete. To say that the special effects in this film are special does them injustice. "Terminator 2" saw one of the largest collaborations in effects studios ever, to reflect Cameron's commitment to the technical side of filmmaking.

VIDEO IMAGE were responsible for all of the 'TermoVision' shots (when we see the world through the Terminator's eyes).

PACIFIC DATA IMAGES specialised in the digital Image processing involved in the film. This included the removal of support wires during stunts.

FANTASY II FILM EFFECTS created the laser and lighting effects for the impressive future battle sequence opening. They also helped with the scaled miniature models including the tanker rollover toward the end of the film.

4-WARD PRODUCTIONS created one of the most memorable sequences from the film and modern cinema itself. The nightmarish nuclear blast, destroying Los Angeles in Sarah Connor’s dream. An effects masterpiece that is strangely more relevant today than thirteen years ago.

INDUSTRIAL LIGHT AND MAGIC had the challenge to create the shape shifting T-1000 (Robert Patrick), which required the blending of CGI, mechanical prosthetics and articulated puppets.

DID YOU KNOW?
The shiny, metal, liquid effects of the T-1000 was created with Mercury and a hairdryer!

Soundtrack is a rocking Guns’n’Roses soundtrack. There has also been a reworking of the Terminator theme tune so that it no longer sounds like something synthesised with the quality of a Megadrive game. The Terminator’s costume is as iconic as the man who wears it. Black leather and boots creates great intimidation and an appearance of toughness.

“I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle”

Hats go off to the make-up department as well, creating some truly incredible things for us to look at. The dents in the T-1000 after getting shot, The half human, half cyborg face of the Terminator that has become a truly iconic image and also a superb accomplishment in the Hollywood make up industry. The progressive damage made to the Terminator as he protects John Connor is captured beautifully. At first a few gunshot wounds leading to the likes of chunks of skin and clothing being blown off through heavy SWAT Team gunfire and being roughed up by the T-1000 himself.

When all aspects come together; “Terminator 2” is a superb filmmaking achievement. The scale of it compared to its predecessor is gargantuan and is arguably better. Action wise it is and scare wise, it isn’t. But it boils down to a cyborg brawl of epic proportions. Schwarzenegger as the obsolete T-800 model and Patrick as the superior T-1000 model of Terminator. Although the T-800 is the ‘good guy’ in all this, he still portrays a cold heart that is gradually warmed by the company of his objective, John Connor. What Schwarzenegger lacks in menace, being the good guy, Robert Patrick more than makes up for it as the T-1000. You never want his victims to die in the way that they do and makes for compelling viewing.

BOTTOM LINE
“Terminator 2: Judgement Day” is without doubt one of the greatest action films ever made. Cameron’s multi-talented dexterity shines as the sequel to the original 1984 hit outshines its predecessor in many ways but of course lacks the raw charm that its had. Compared to other films, it is an action masterpiece that must be seen, if you haven’t already. Highly recommended, being up there with some of the greatest sci.fi made not to mention one of the best sequels in Hollywood history. A rare example that so many films try to follow but end up losing any retaining dignity that they once had in Hollywood sequel hell.

CERTIFICATE : 15
TIME APPROX : 147 minutes (special edition)

CAUTION
strong language
strong, sci.fi violence
some brief nudity
some scenes of horror

IF YOU LIKE THIS TRY
The Terminator – the original 1984 cult hit that put Cameron on the Hollywood map.

No fate but what we make

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