A humongous, visionary parable that intermittently enthralls and ultimately disappoints. T2 is half of a terrific movie -- the wrong half.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:39
Fresh:38
Rotten:1
Average Rating:8.4/10
Consensus: T2 features thrilling action sequences and eye-popping visual effects, but what takes this sci-fi/ action landmark to the next level is the depth of the human (and cyborg) characters.
Runtime: 3 hrs 45 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
US Box Office: $0
Synopsis: A decade after Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) destroyed the original Terminator, a second unstoppable killing machine (Arnold Schwarzenegger) arrives from the post-apocalyptic year 2029. But this... A decade after Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) destroyed the original Terminator, a second unstoppable killing machine (Arnold Schwarzenegger) arrives from the post-apocalyptic year 2029. But this time his mission is to stop an even deadlier Terminator, the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), made entirely of shape-shifting liquid metal and determined to kill young John Connor (Edward Furlong), the future leader of the human resistance. Sarah, John, and the Terminator counter by going after the scientist responsible for developing Skynet, the computer system fated to destroy humanity, leading to an explosive and spectacular clash with the fate of humanity in the balance. Whereas James Cameron's original THE TERMINATOR was a low-budget marvel of efficiency and speed, TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY is an action-packed blockbuster with some of the most amazing stunts ever filmed and ground-breaking, Academy Award-winning special effects. Star Schwarzenegger was paid in the form of a $15 million dollar jet to revisit his most famous role as the Terminator, this time made kinder and gentler against the silent, relentless T-1000. One of the most popular films of the 1990s, James Cameron's action masterpiece is both a thoughtful look at violence in human nature and an exciting, nonstop thrill ride. [More]
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong, Earl Boen, Joe Morton, S. Epatha Merkerson, Castulo Guerra, Jenette Goldstein, Xander Berkeley
Director: James Cameron
Director: James Cameron
Screenwriter: James Cameron, William Wisher
Producer: Stephanie Austin, James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd, Mario Kassar, B.J. Rack
Composer: Brad Fiedel
Reviews for Terminator 2: Judgment Day
It's Cameron's show; he's the reigning king of movie pow, with dark wit and a poet's eye for mayhem. T2 cost a reported $100 million, and you can actually see where the money went.
Oh, it's well made. It's also overproduced and overlong and the ultimate in the effects-driven movie syndrome.
It lacks the dark originality and tight storyline of the first film, but has more action, destruction, excitement and carnage (and tears) than 20 other competing science fiction films.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is an enjoyable, often exhilarating piece of filmmaking, with a wry sense of humor to boot.
This remains one of the greatest and most adored action movies of the 90s.
They enhance the movie by introducing dangerous threats to the survival of the heroes, while retaining the all-important physical essence of the fear of the chase that made the first film so exciting.
Arnold Schwarznegger is still the ultimate leathers-wearing, Harley-riding, lever-action shotgun-toting bad-***
Has more than enough story, action, thrills and eye-popping special effects to satisfy even the most numbed moviegoers.
A true classic, though I still miss the grit and nuance of the original.
For all its state-of-the-art pyrotechnics and breathtaking thrills, this bruisingly exciting movie never loses sight of its humanity. That's its point, and its pride.
...one of the most indelible examples of the contemporary action film...
Structured as a simple chase, the story sags midway, but the first hour and last 30 minutes display an enjoyably relentless bravura.
At the end of both movies, I find myself overcome by an extraordinary swell of emotion.
This is Hollywood high art: it has all the spectacular special effects and awesome stunts that only tinsel town infrastructure (i.e. big bucks) can produce and nobody else.
Mr. Cameron has made a swift, exciting special-effects epic that thoroughly justifies its vast expense and greatly improves upon the first film's potent but rudimentary visual style.
Cameron directs with a huge amount of style and personality, effortlessly jumping from the $6.4 million original to the $88 million sequel.
Latest News for Terminator 2: Judgment Day
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May 21, 2009:
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It's been a roller coaster ride revisiting the science fiction films Terminator (1984), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), and I... More...
May 19, 2009:
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When James Cameron debuted his first real feature film in 1984 -- directing Piranha II: The Spawning for hire didn't really count -- he turned out a $6.5 million science fiction... More...
August 11, 2008:
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We showcase 20 films which have employed Pixar's pioneering software RenderMan to create some of the last two decades' most visually-impressive movies. More...
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