Sequel Exception

Rating: 9/10 (1 November 2010)

This is one of the rare occasion where the sequel far surpassed the original. I would argue that a large part of that has to do with the drastic change in our media culture. For example, these days, if a commercial film is very successful, a studio will almost immediately green light and rush a sequel to the screen. In doing so, it is willing to sacrifice all quality just to take advantage of a hot item and to make money.
The difference here was that because of a legal rights issue, the sequel did not come out until seven years after the original (1984, 1991). Also, James Cameron was behind it and it was his creation to begin with. He wasn't just a gun for hire. James Cameron would never attach his name to something that wasn't of the highest caliber and sense this movie has such extensive visual effects work (Cameron's strong point), the film far surpassed anyone's expectations. It's no wonder that the franchise has fallen apart ever sense he has departed and moved on to other works.