Wednesday, July 3, 1991

Terminator 2 opens

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Released: July 3, 1991

Studio: Sony

Genre: sci-fi/action

Box Office (numbers in millions):

Domestic: 205.90 Worldwide: 520.90

Adjusted for Inflation:

Domestic: 457.00 Worldwide: 1107.60

Directing: James Cameron

Screenwriting: James Cameron, William Wisher

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong

Review:

In 1984, Arnold Schwarzenegger played a cyborg in The Terminator and served up one of movie’s most quotable lines: “I’ll be back.” In 1991, he would, in fact, be back. This “well-executed, action-packed sequel” ^FS was given a massive $100 million budget thanks to director James Cameron’s success with blockbusters like Aliens (1986) and The Abyss (1989).

The movie made back twice its budget in the United States alone in its opening weekend. ^FS “Is it really better than the original? In terms of scale and sheer, balls-out action spectacle, yes.” ^EM’18 In addition, “the computer-generated special effects and dazzling,” ^FS pushing “the boundaries of filmmaking.” ^AFI07

The movie is set in 1995, eleven years after the first film. “Sarah Connor (Hamilton) is now in a mental institution after attempting to blow up Cyberdyne Systems, and for acting delusional and insane over thoughts of an apocalypse. Her son John (Furlong) has become a rebellious foster child.” ^FS

Schwarzenegger was a bad guy in the first movie but here he is on a mission to save the boy, who will one day be the leader who oversees humans’ victory over the cyborgs. He must face off with a newer model Terminator who has been sent to terminate John. This model can “morph his body into any solid shape, impersonate other persons and even camouflage himself with the background.” ^FS

“The film explores issues of fate, responsibility, loyalty, and the essences of humanity.” ^FS The movie allows John Connor to assume the role of teacher in guiding Schwarzenegger’s more sensitive Terminator in human behavior.

Sources:

^AFI07 American Film Institute (2007). “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition”
^EM’18 Empire (3/20/2018). “The 100 Greatest Movies”
^FS Filmsite.org “100 Greatest Films”

Awards/Honors/Lists:

Dave’s Movie Database Lists:

Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists:

Box Office:

Awards:

Oscars:

Wins: 4 – Best Visual Effects, Best Makeup, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Effects Editing.

Nominations: 6 – including Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing

Other Lists/Honors:

First posted 5/27/2023.