This is the sequel that does a franchise proud by
essentially copying the previous films plot idea and adding new elements to
create a thrilling continuation to the storyline. The main premise from the original film remains
intact, even Arnold Schwarzenegger. The
new T-1000 terminator (Robert Patrick) brings freshness to the film which fits absolutely
perfectly. Regarding the terminators,
there are two, one to protect and the other to destroy, John Connor (Edward
Furlong) that is. This is for all
intensive purposes an action flick but it excels beyond that with a driving
story that connects the action sequences in a nicely wrapped package. I know there are people out there that like
to fuss over the time travel aspects of this film and let me clarify that it’s
a science fiction movie as well. Besides
is there anyone on earth that knows how time travel actually works? Has anyone done it? Well, my point is that if you get hung up on
if the time travel is accurate or not you might miss one of the greatest action
films of all time with the perfect man to lead it, Arnold.
The
story begins as the terminators enter the film early. The circular, bubble like, time travel method
that brings them to the past is amazing from a visual standpoint. It’s simple but effective in believing a time
traveler has arrived. Heat seems to melt
everything in the immediate bubble like area to provide protection for the sent
terminator. For me it’s a neat mention
as those details always capture my eye.
Arnold gets the first introduction, naturally, which is done in
remarkably suitable fashion. He acquires
a motorcycle, biker cloths, a shotgun and some cool shades. The T-1000 conveniently gets the guise of a police
officer which will help it in various ways later to accomplish the task of
killing John Conner. I like the
explanation that the T-1000 is a prototype which is obviously an early model of
the T-1000 series. It can take the shape
of people in relevance to their size and only by contact with the person. That creates a nice limitation for the T-1000
so it can’t simply change to anything it wants.
It can’t become complex objects or devices but rather crude basic objects
like, oh say, a metal blade!
Let’s
talk about the humans now, Sarah Conner (Linda Hamilton) is considered insane
and locked up in a correctional facility.
Her story is interesting and changed since the events from the previous
film. The character development with her
is a determination to prevent the coming Skynet catastrophe. You also see a side to her troubled person as
you can see she wants to be able to have a normal life as a mother with her
son. A part in the story really shows
the inner demons she struggles with which is a welcome moment in the film to
slow all the action sequences. John
Conner is another character that gets developed throughout. His voice remains to be unbearable at times
and possibly will make you laugh if his voice cracks at any particular moment. The scene where Sarah scolds him for being
stupid enough to risk everything to save her from the correction center is a
genuine moment. He sheds some tears as
he only wanted to save her in such a radically changing part of his life. He struggles to find a path in his young life
without parents for the most part and its neat to see him bond with the
terminator, in an almost father like way.
He treats the machine like a toy and playmate at times, subtle yes so
keep an eye for the scenes. It sounds
odd but it really brings a story in an action type of film.
The
movie progresses very nicely until Sarah attempts to kill Miles Dyson (Joe
Morton) the eventual creator of Skynet.
She reverts to her killer state and has Dyson at gun point but freezes
suddenly, as she nearly pulls the trigger.
At that moment I felt her character flaw as I was certain her decision to
save the human race would push her to kill Dyson without hesitation. It’s possible she saw Dyson’s family at that
point and they were at the brink of death, she didn’t want to destroy a family;
deep down. It stems from her desire to
have that normal family. If that’s true
or not I don’t know, it’s just what I thought.
The attack of Cyberdyne is the scene I feel dips in the story. They want to destroy the remains of the first
terminator and risk all to do so. It’s
not a terrible idea and it’s not poorly executed. I thought it had a bit too much action for its
own good though. John’s command for
Arnold to not kill anybody, established earlier in the film, is weak overall
and dampens the whole setting specifically at Cyberdyne. A terminator not killing nameless foes is
banana’s, that’s right bananas. They
blow up the entire building, which anyway is going to kill someone, Dyson at
least. I did find it funny when the one
security guard was locked up in the restroom and upon finding his buddy the
other guard leaves without helping him.
Where’s the camaraderie? You’re
going to leave your guy on the floor locked up?
I’d be rather angry with you my friend.
The action sequences ensue and while somewhat inventive at times do drag
along.
I never
get how Arnold knows it’s the T-1000 in the helicopter when they are fleeing
Cyberdyne. Is it a terminator
thing? There is no scene that reveals he
should know but it’s of little consequence.
At the conclusion of the final car chase the T-1000 gets frozen with
liquid nitrogen, while Arnold spats off, “Hasta la vista baby” and shoots him. You do feel a bit of sorrow as the T-1000
trashes Arnold the inferior terminator.
In the end Arnold does blow away the T-1000 into a molt of lava, very
fitting. He also has his arm severed off
and stuck in a huge gear which they never destroyed. They destroy the remains of the first, and
then Arnold dies for the second consecutive film, only he could pull that off
by the way.
The
film wants to send a message that humanity should put aside war and learn to
find peace or nothing but self destruction will occur. I agree with it, it’s sad that the world can’t
get along. We know the special effects
are amazing and Arnold possibly turns in his best career performance. Robert Patrick delivers as the T-1000. The story is solid and blends into an
incredible action film. The science fiction
action genre has a winner here. Epic
music!
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