The quality and Oscars makes this one of the best sequels ever

Rating: 10/10 (21 December 2004)

Forget all your techno-babble films like the disappointing Matrix revolutions, if your looking for a good sci-fi / action thriller, then look no further. T2 Judgement day has all the makings of a classic film. It not only incorporates wonderful special effects, but some great acting and clever scenes. As a sequel to the classic 'The Terminator' this goes beyond all barriers and delivers us a memorable sequel.
With the amount of films out today that include supposed "Extreme special effects" and "ground breaking realism", we feel we should be in for a treat. I guarantee you, that nearly 90% of the films we see nowadays have at least a little bit of CGI. The problem - It just isn't real. Terminator 2, a film made over 12 years ago, could easily pass in the cinemas today being presented as a new film. Why? Because its so realistic. Robert Patrick plays this films villain, a new terminator called a T-1000, with shape shifting and liquid metal capabilities. Patrick doesn't an outstanding job acting as a cyborg. He is able to become a non-stopping killing machine, that just doesn't give up and also has the glamour of being able to become very human. A humorous small scene(only available only ULTIMATE EDTION) see's Patrick walk up to Policeman on his bike and say "Say, thats a nice bike." We obviously know what happens next, as we see Patrick on the bike later on.
Patrick is also capable of meeting the demands of receiving shotgun wounds from the (spoiler), now, good guy Arnie! Arnie has been set out by John Connor in the future war to protect the young John from the deadly T-1000. Arnie plays an important role in this film, as we see him become the good guy, a total contrast from the first film.he delivers a good performance, and acts well to show that he doesn't understand human emotions. There's a cracking scene on the ULTIMATE EDITION were we see Arnie trying to impersonate a man smiling. He fails at it, and puts on his firm hard-looking face.
But with all the film being good so far, surely their must be a downer? Well, the only downer I guess is the way Sarah Connors character has transformed from the first film. She is no longer the woman in distress, but she is now a tough cookie, ready for some action after working out in her cell in the Mental Asylum. Her 'hard knock' attitude does get a bit annoying and disappointing, but it can't be helped because her character is simply developing.
Stan Winston helps develop this excellent performance. He had designed and help produce the endoskeletons in the new future war scene, designed the bullet impact effects for the T-1000, which were cleverly done using spring loaded foam. His cleverness has helped to make this film great. His crafty hands were also needed to help produce the nuclear blast scene. This is a very disturbing scene, which I prefer to skip when watching the DVD. Its disturbing as (spoiler) its shows how Sarah Connor is burnt to death during an imagined nuclear blast, along small children in a playground. Realistic, but disturbing.
The sounds are also great! Makes the bullet impacts on the T-1000 so realistic is the sound effect. The main title score for the film is the same tune, excepted extended and made using slighty more modern synthersisers. The best us of music is probably at the end, where you'll be on the edge of your seat, amazed at the excellent use of CGI!
If you've seen the first film, or are looking for an entertaining film, choose Terminator 2 - Judgement day and you won't be disappointed.