#77: TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY (1991)

THRILL SCALE 1-10

10

HAVE I SEEN IT BEFORE?

Yes, but so long ago that I really can't remember when. I have fond memories of watching it, but it might have been in high school or it might have been in university or it might have been even more recent than that

BEST SEQUENCE

Sarah Connor's escape from the hospital and her first run-in with the T-800 (this T-800, anyway) and the T-1000. I almost went with the truck and motorcycle chase through the flood channel. But really, you could pick nearly any sequence from this movie as the best and I'd find it hard to argue.

BEST LINE

"Hasta la vista, baby"

ROTTEN TOMATOES SCORE

93%

ROTTEN TOMATOES CRITICS CONSENSUS

"T2 features thrilling action sequences and eye-popping visual effects, but what takes this sci-fi/ action landmark to the next level is the depth of the human (and cyborg) characters."

IMDB SYNOPSIS

"A cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her ten-year-old son John from a more advanced and powerful cyborg."

THOUGHTS

• This movie kicks so much ass
• I have seen both T1 and T2 before, and the first movie really didn't make much of an impression on me. As mentioned above, though, while my memory was a little fuzzy, I remembered having a great time with T2. So, it was reassuring to watch it again and see how incredibly well it holds up
• When I first checked out the AFI list it surprised me that they placed The Terminator higher than Terminator 2, and by a fair margin. The Terminator is #42. I'll be rewatching The Terminator eventually and maybe I'll reassess, but in terms of action and thrills I just don't think it's going to stack up with this one
• The practical effects are incredible. Terminator 2 is noteworthy because it was a huge turning point for computer-generated effects, but I think it's important to note how sparingly the CGI is used. Part of that would have surely been for budgetary reasons and the technological limitations of the time, but it also means that when a stunt could be practically achieved, it was. And as someone who will always take practical over CGI, it makes a big difference
• Plus, let's be honest, the computer animation of the T-1000 looks a little ReBoot-y at times. But it doesn't really have a negative impact, because these effects are used with intention and they pretty much just serve to supplement one of the great movie villains of all time
• Robert Patrick is amazing as the T-1000. Terrifying, steely-eyed and unstoppable. And I could watch him run all day
• Linda Hamilton, as Sarah Connor, puts in one of the greatest action movie heroine performances of all time. She's powerful and ruthless and just such a badass
• And you know what, Arnold's here too, and he's fine! There's absolutely nothing wrong with his performance, but he's a tool. He facilitates the action, and that's all he needs to do
• And then...there's John. John Connor, as played by Edward Furlong, is truly one of the most annoying, grating, insufferable movie characters I can think of. But it's not entirely Edward Furlong's fault. Some of his line readings are awful, but the script does him no favours. For your consideration:
• 
  
• But hey, I can't think of how anyone could deliver those lines without making me cringe, can you? 
  
• Obnoxious child actor aside, though, the action in this movie is nearly unparalleled. And it's a heck of a gun movie. In real life, I am not a gun lover. I strongly support gun control. I don't ignore the impact that violent media can have on the issue. But boy oh boy, when Arnold's riding his motorcycle and he flips his shotgun around in one hand to reload it? When he shoots the T-1000 right in the head? When he pulls out a goddamn Minigun? It gets the heart racing
• Similarly, in real life I couldn't care less about cars. I see zero appeal in car racing, and I can't even remember the last time I drove. But if there's one thing that's been shown to me in watching all these action movies, I certainly appreciate a good car stunt, and this movie is full of them
• So, if you haven't seen Terminator 2: Judgment Day in a while, give it a revisit. If you haven't seen it ever, watch it; I don't really think it's necessary to watch the first one before you do, either. And if you do decide to give it a go, might I suggest this upcoming Monday, August 29th? You can watch the movie and rejoice in the fact that 25 years ago, on August 29th, 1997, the prophesied Judgment Day was narrowly averted

Up next: Another well-known movie from 1991, but this time it's a new one for me: Thelma & Louise!