Terminator 2 Judgment Day (1991)

Terminator 2: Judgement is a ground-breaking sci-fi action thriller starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular terminator directed by James Cameron. This was the highest grossing film of 1991 and has since gone on to receive many accolades.

What is immediately interesting is the inverted moral value of the terminator - Cameron uses it as a white canvas that tries to take on human virtues - a far cry from the ruthless killing machine in first instalment of the franchise. The film's exploration of this AI trying to become 'more human' doesn't quite lead to a full painting being formed, however the idea is explored enough to leave the viewer with the thought of what could be. Despite the pre-apocalyptic backdrop, there is this sense of optimism that propels the film along.

There are definitely moments where the plot feels quite contrived and predictable as typical of a James Cameron film, or most action blockbusters for that matter. You know when a certain character is going to pull through and you roll your eyes at the circumstance events that just happen to transpire. There are a number of issues and puzzles that arise from the time-travel aspect of the film, but it's not worth digging into these too deeply - the director certainly doesn't as he pretends they don't exist!

Despite the interesting premise, a viewer shouldn't go into this expecting that much in the way of poignancy or artistry. However, that's not to say that there isn't merit here - there most definitely is - but it arises almost exclusively in the action. The action scenes in this film are great and certainly provide a strong thrill. The main character chemistry is to be found between the Terminator and John Connor and it serves as the emotion base for the film.

This is a very fun action film with a strong aesthetic that has ingrained itself deeply into popular culture. It's not worth taking incredibly seriously but it's strong on the entertainment value and was somewhat innovative for the time so I feel a score of a 4/5 is deserving. A recommendation for those who are looking for a fast and stylish action film.