'Judgment Day' is a fantastic sequel that ups the action, heart and much more to the highest level it can go

Rating: 10/10 (5 July 2015)

In 1984, James Cameron hit a home run with the highly-successful The Terminator, and the main players involved (Cameron, Schwarzenegger, and Hamilton) were all game for a sequel. It took about six years for it to enter production, due to issues with the effects for the T-1000 to work, and the rights to the Terminator franchise. When it did, the work for the film lasted about 171 days, nearly half a year. They filmed at around 20 different locations for the film to be made. When the film was finally released, having spent about $94-$102 million dollars on the film, the film quickly made back it's budget about 5 times. Many people have given the film rave reviews, as the film has an 8.5 on IMDb and a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. So, let's see if the film holds up after twenty-four years, and if the film is any good.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day follows John Connor as he comes into contact with a reprogrammed T-800 who has been sent into the past to protect John from the T-1000, a upgraded Terminator that can turn into any living being and has been tasked to kill John to prevent the future from ever occurring.
This film is freaking amazing. Okay? Just saying. The acting in this film is outstanding. Returning actors Schwarzenegger and Hamilton both do fantastic jobs as their roles, and Hamilton does an even better job than before, portraying a slightly more hardened, more badass Sarah Connor. Edward Furlong, in his first film role, does a pretty good job as John Connor. I mean, there are a few cringe-worthy moments, but isn't that how most child actors are? Robert Patrick... I really think there's no really good way to describe his phenomenal acting in this film. He's menacing and always has that sort of look on his face of menacing, yet somewhat charming. Reminds me of Norman Bates, haha. And Joe Morton does a fairly good job as Miles Dyson, basically the man behind the future SkyNet.
The score was done once again by Brad Fiedel and he manages to one-up himself from the previous film. Don't believe me? Then listen to the music played over the opening credits, because it's kickass! It really does set the tone for the rest of the film. The special effects this time around are one hell of a lot better than the first go through. I mean, sure, the stopmotion Terminator at the end of the first one wasn't that bad, but the special effects for certain scenes, especially ones involving the T-1000, are a thousand times better. It's amazing that special effects created in the early 1990s are sometimes better than the ones in films made a few years ago.
The screenplay written by James Cameron was as good as it was last time. I watched the Special Edition/Director's Cut, because I heard that was the best version, and while some of the humor in that version was a bit weird, it was still really good. I can't imagine the film without those scenes now. The cinematography in some scenes, especially scenes when they are driving and wide shots of the city all look amazing, and that's thanks to the cinematographer, Adam Greenberg. He really did a fantastic job with this film.
The plot works for the most part. I mean, of course, there's going to be a few discrepancies, no matter how minor, because this is essentially a film where several people time travel and change the history that's been established. The fact that so much happens over the two and a half hour film and it all still manages to make sense is quite amazing, to be honest.
Overall, Judgment Day is a very worthy sequel to the original Terminator, and dare I say it, it surpasses the original. The music, acting, screenplay, cinematography, plot and special effects, especially, all look and sound truly amazing. I do recognize the film has it's flaws, but you know what, I'm still going to give it one of my highest ratings because it is definitely becoming one of my favorite films.