Best in the Terminator Series

Rating: 8/10 (20 June 2009)

James Cameron's TERMINATOR 2 is a prime example of a film sequel that completely blows away the original. I was a fan of the first film but Cameron's follow-up is better in every way possible. The action is more epic, the special effects were ahead of their time, and it introduces one of the coolest movie villains ever...the T-1000. After Skynet's failure to terminate Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) in 1984, their second attempt to eliminate future war savior John Connor (Edward Furlong) has them sending an advanced liquid metal prototype model after young John.
T2 amps up the action this time, with Stan Winston's SFX team returning with assistance from ILM to bring the Terminators to life. Keeping in mind the move was released in 1991, the effects are amazing. Cameron has always been on the cutting edge of special effects technology and he continued the trend here. Even now, the T-1000 looks incredible as he morphs or heals from damage (better than the effects in some modern films). In addition, the film set up for some great action sequences (my favorite of which being the escape from the mental hospital).
Returning from the first film are Linda Hamilton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Michael Beihn (in the special edition). Schwarzenegger returns to one of his greatest roles as a T-800 Terminator sent back from the future by John Connor to protect against the T-1000. Newcomer Edward Furlong is the young John Connor and seems to have no trouble running with the big dogs. Absolute best though would be Robert Patrick as the stone cold T-1000; his lack of emotion and soul-less stare gives the assassin that extra evil edge. The movie runs long at 2.5 hours (for the special edition) but you wouldn't notice as it rockets along. T2 is a sci-fi action great and (at this point) remains the best in the series; to be honest, I wouldn't have been upset if Cameron had used his original ending and given the series closure. At least we'd have known for certain it would've ended on a high note.