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Arnold never lies. In The Terminator, he said he�d be back, and he�s back in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, the sequel that is a little superior to the original, but not much. It boasts a little more action, a little more suspense, a better story, and better acting. In this edition, released seven years after the first one, but taking place ten years after, a new T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) comes to protect John Connor (Edward Furlong, in his debut), who will be the leader of the humans in a war against machines. However, a T-1000 cyborg (Robert Patrick) has also come from the future, but to kill John.
The Terminator was a movie that actually needed a sequel. Maybe James Cameron just felt like leaving a cliffhanger, but I think that the first movie wouldn�t have worked that well if a sequel wasn�t existent. T2 went further into the story, and made the utterly unbelievable from the first one seem more likely to happen. Of course, it�s hard to believe that five years ago, a nuclear war was to break out, but when have James Cameron films been believable?
Arnold was given more lines in this film, and, although he isn�t a great actor, he was very cool in this role. Of course, he has been typecast by now, but whenever he was destroying whatever and causing mayhem, it was great. He�s the epitome of an action star. Furlong was pretty good in his debut, but the real standout is Linda Hamilton, John�s mother. She had more of a chance to actually act, even though she wasn�t the star, and she�s a good actress.
The special effects were greatly improved from the first film. Instead of having robots that would have Ray Harryhausen rolling in his grave, they�re seamless. The T-1000s can shift shape, and, being a child of the �good special effects or none at all� era, I was very impressed. His healing powers were very cool, and anytime he was shot or hit, etc., his body bent and it was awesome to look at. I�m surprised that it was only seven years after robots than jauntily move. I hope to be this impressed when I see T3.
Overall, I have to thank Cameron for bringing us a sequel that lives up to the series (how many Alien movies have there been now, James?) and doesn�t lack on the thrills nor the special FX.
Rated R for sci-fi violence and language.
Review Date: July 6, 2003
