Many Annoyances, But An Incredible Action Flick

Rating: 8/10 (15 January 2007)

I usually don't rate highly movies in which I can't stand listening to two-thirds of the lead characters, but this film has so many spectacular, memorable moments it always fascinates me....and brings me back. I enjoyed all three of the "Terminator" films but this one has always stood out.....because of the villain and the incredible special-effects.
When this movie came out, the FX regarding Robert Patrick's cyborg-patrol cop were so jaw- dropping, so astounding that people couldn't believe what they were seeing. Some 15 years later, they are still cool. Watching Patrick morph into various characters is incredible, literally changing shapes or having his fingers or arms extend to an awl-like instruments. For a long time, he looks like the most indestructible "person" I've ever seen in a film. He certainly is still one of the most unique villains ever shown on film.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, an intelligent but less-advanced cyborg, plays the only likable character. The mother-son combination of Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong are too hard-edged, too smart-mouthed for my tastes. Hamilton was a lot more feminine and humanistic in the first "Terminator." Now she's ultra-macho and profane. Much worse than her is her kid, a real punk if there ever was one. There's something very irritating about Furlong, and not just the character he plays here. I'm not surprised he never became a star.
Actually, a lot of the dialog in here is terrible and a testimony to the sleazy people who wrote the screenplay. The director, James Cameron, has done a number of similar films with foul- mouthed characters.
Still, despite all these annoyances, as a fan of special-effects and a good adventure yarn, I can't help but keep watching this DVD every three or four years.