Hasta la vista baby!

Rating: 8/10 (30 January 2000)

This flick has some of my favorite movie memories of all time. I am especially fond of the part where both terminators meet for the first time. Awesome!! It was really cool when they duked it out hand-to-hand. Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face. Nothing I say could do it justice.
And don't forget the chase scene involving a minibike, a motorcyle, and a semi-too cool for words!
Arnie is, of course, perfect as the Terminator. Linda Hamilton is utterly convincing as Sarah Conner. Edward Furlong, in his exciting film debut, is fine as her son John. Joe Morton adds great support as scientist Miles Dyson. (I'm writing on the assumption you've seen it-and who hasn't?)
Other highlights: the opening credits, the pacing leading up to the aforementioned first meeting, Brad Fiedel's spine-tingling score, the blue-tinged cinematography, and so forth.
I salute Robert Patrick, excellent as the T-1000! I can't tell you how cool he is. I'll just say you'll be gasping for breath.
Despite all this, I don't think it's a perfect movie-it runs too long, and the last third is a bit mechanical. However, the the first part is just wonderful, representing James Cameron's best work as director. Be sure to rent the Special Edition (154 min). It's even longer, but it fleshes out Hamilton's character.
Rating: *** out of (****)
Released by Carolco through TriStar Pictures