Terminator 2: Judgment Day - Movie Review

Terminator 2: Through the concept of Judgment Day it presents the audience with a doomsday scenario involving Skynet’s evil plan of total global domination by cyborgs. The sequel is focused on introducing the very powerful T-1000 terminator – a terminators made of liquid metal whose purpose is the murder of John Connor, the future head of a human rebellion. As the original protecting him, the T-800 becomes a complex metaphor of a guardian that begins as a cold killer, but becomes more human, but whose purpose is to ensure a future beyond the increasingly apocalyptic rule of Skynet.

The sequel builds upon themes of predestination and free will and the humans’ propensity for destruction through dark, often philosophical monologues. Time travel then serves as a platform for analyzing the idea of rewriting history in the form of post apocalyptic future. It raises an overt struggle made with the support of mighty and rather unbreakable tempo, revealing the climax of maternal dysphoria with the only thing that connects the pair into persisting to the limit. The sense of what is to come becomes tense, for hope, fear.

The film returns Arnold Schwarzeneggen to portraying the T-800, which had previously been portrayed as a killer before becoming an unlikely protector. This made the performance bring out deeper aspects of the character than could have been expected. While Sarah Connor was at first portrayed as a terrified woman pursued by a relentless killer, in the second shown Linda Hamilton turns into a powerful fighter. Edward Furlong portrays John Connor in this movie in that awkward stage of adolescence filled with energy and rebellion in harness. The 155-minute long film, T2 stars Robert Patrick’s T-1000 who is magnetic and menacing at the same time and brings an unparalled tension to his quite chilling portrayal. His innovation strategy outlines an engaging story, accurately combining the original approach in the special effects and complex character creation. In terms of direction, Cameron takes precautions and stays in the background while building the audience a world where technology defines the struggle against humanity.

The films’ score by Brad Fiedel also continues to be ominous with a metallic feel, which very well suits the suspense factor and thrilling chase sequences. The music perfectly complements and serves to enhance the contrast between precise movements associated with an industrialized world while still retaining a touch of humanity. It increases every thrilling experience and makes the story full of suspense and expectancy. From enormous metaphorical landscapes of the dystopian future to the somewhat palpable affective texture of urban milieu, every shot is full-bodied and saturated. The constantly pulsating energy in the film adequately complements the intensity of the action sequences and even the intimate moments.

The kind of detail that goes into the production design to bring to life gritty and futuristic urban landscape is a great achievement that effectively engulfs the audience into the dystopian reality of the film. Switching from institutions to apocalyptic landscapes of warfare, the author creates a clear picture of the incoming Rapture. The mechanical aspect of the film’s design remains a spectacle and feels like a gross subversion to human sensibility.

Meanwhile, special effects are still laudable today as they were revolutionary during the movie’s release. Liquid metal effects of the T-1000 were state of art, integrating perfectly CGI with practical effects to give end product that was believable as an antagonist that was horrible to see.

Interesting, the great editing done by Mark Goldblatt and Conrad Buff maintained the high tension and great pace throughout the movie. Their skillful work is rather effective in keeping the story intense but also grounded, without gratuitously switching between the two, thereby possessing great coherency. It is always escalating and never lets the audience become bored which is masterfully done.

Sharp and witty dialogues are supported by the intensity of the movie and also by the philosophical messages about human will and predestination. The dialogue usually reflects the character’s growth and development, which improves dramatic trajectories; however, it bolsters the film’s intellectual premise as well.

The acting and the plot are engaging and unique, with some elements provoking more disbelief cinnamon than the bravura of some performances and visuals are stirring. Derivative and protracted at points, it’s also only sometimes a bit too elliptical for its own good, with some of the character arcs needing greater development, even in the supporting cast. However, these are mere footnotes in an otherwise stellar cinematic achievement.

Terminator 2: With the action rolling at the speed of sound, Judgment Day provides great thrills and awesome depth in the form of philosophical questions. This is a movie that gives quite deep reflection to matters concerning destiny, self-identity and being a person. Years later, that impact has not faded, proving the exceptional quality of the product and great narrative abilities.