Terminator 2: Judgment
Day picks up seven years after the conclusion
of the first film. The malevolent
computer network known as Skynet launches a second assassination attempt on
John Conner (Edward Furlong), this time as he enters adolescence. A more advanced model Terminator, the T-1000
(Robert Patrick), is sent back in time to dispatch of the youngster. In an interesting twist, the same T-800 model
(Arnold Schwarzenegger) who tried to kill Sarah Conner (Linda Hamilton) in 1984
is sent back in time as well, but with a decidedly different mission than
before. It is to intercept John and
protect him from the T-1000, ensuring that he will grow to adulthood and save
the human race.
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The true form of the T-800: The Cyberdyne Systems Model 101 metal endoskeleton. |
T2 is not so much
a sequel as it is a full on remake of the first film. It has a more complex plot and is infinitely
larger in scope. One gets the sense that
this is the film that Cameron wanted to make in the first place. It is best to think of it is an extended
chase that occasionally slows down to deliver exposition and character
development. The set pieces alternate
from large to small throughout the run time, revolving around the protagonists
attempts to evade the ever persistent T-1000.
T2 represented a
significant turning point in James Cameron’s career. He eschewed the gritty “slasher film in
sci-fi clothing” intensity of the original for something more populist and
calculated. While The Terminator was a nice little sci-fi/action flick that packed an
exponentially bigger punch than anyone could have expected, the sequel was an
unapologetic blockbuster. It indulged in
much humor at the expense of the T-800, who was undoubtedly a figure of fear in
the original. It also carried a rather
heavy handed anti-war message that was very effective considering how insincere
and obvious it felt. Cameron was casting
a much wider net this time, showing the world that his sensibilities could
successfully be applied to a mass entertainment.
In his arsenal, Cameron had the talents of cutting edge FX
companies like Dreamquest Images and Industrial Light & Magic. The latter provided him with his greatest
weapon yet: Morphing. It proved to be
the ultimate way to envision the T-1000.
The new model terminator was made of liquid metal. This made it able to disguise itself, form
bladed weaponry with its limbs, and repair damage almost as it occurred. It was smaller, faster and stronger than the
lumbering T-800. It was also
considerably scarier from a conceptual stand point. Dennis Muren employed CGI (then in its
infancy) to its absolute limits, conjuring images that would go an extremely
long way in achieving the desired illusion.
In the end, the exorbitant budget proved to be a wise
investment. Terminator 2: Judgment Day became
star Arnold Schwarzenegger’s biggest hit ever, grossing over 200 million
dollars domestically and nearly 520 million worldwide. Amazingly, Cameron would go on to write and
direct blockbusters that would dwarf T2
in terms of cost and box office admissions.
Arnie would eventually become governor of the golden state, but none of his
subsequent films was able to match the mammoth success of T2. 20 years later, it is as
taught and relentless a blockbuster as has ever been made, and its influence
can be seen in any number of cyberpunk films, most notably The Matrix trilogy. Happy
20th Birthday Cyberdyne Systems Model 101.
You told us you’d be back the first time around, and brother, you weren’t
lying.
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