Failing in all ways (aside from special effects) to live up to the original

Rating: 2/10 (21 January 2001)

Okay, I dislike this movie intensely. I saw it before I saw Terminator, and I almost didn't watch the original because of it. I love the original, it had character and drama, and you felt something when you watched it.
The thing that most upsets me about this movie is that it all but totally disregards the original. Sure, the psychiatrist shows up, but that does not continuity make. Sarah was supposed to be strong and brave, and teach and guide her son. I didn't think that meant being an alcoholic female Rambo. That glimpse of her we caught at the end of Terminator was what she was all about. Sure, she was strong, but she had vulnerability.
John, though tough for a kid, lacks something.
And the cyborg (also 800 series) looks exactly like the first one? If they all looked alike, it would be pretty easy to pick them out after one revealed itself.
Ah, and the plot was absolutely grade-schoolish. Killing machine is redeem himself. While I have no problem with this plot in general, the Iron Giant (an animated film) managed to pull it off better than T2.