Amazon.com Essential Video
After he pushed the envelope of computer-generated special effects in
The Abyss, director James Cameron turned this hotly anticipated sequel to
Terminator into a well-written, action-packed showcase for advanced special effects and for one of the most invincible villains ever imagined.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a legitimate sequel: there's more story to tell about a hulking, leather-clad android (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who arrives from the future to protect a rebellious teenager and future leader (Edward Furlong) from being killed by the tenacious T-1000 robot (Robert Patrick), whose liquid-metal construction makes him seemingly unstoppable. The fate of the future lies in the balance, with Linda Hamilton (who would later marry her director) reprising her role as the rugged woman whose son will change the course of history. The digital video disc of this blockbuster hit is presented with a digitally mastered THX soundtrack.
--Jeff Shannon
Review
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is most notable for being one of the first films to seamlessly combine a large amount of computer graphics -- in this case, the "morphing" technique -- with live action. Director James Cameron's bigger-budgeted sequel to his 1984 hit, Terminator, T2 capitalizes on Arnold Schwarzenegger's increased stardom by changing the persona of his indestructible cyborg character from creature of destruction to lovable protector. After a number of TV parts and supporting film roles, Linda Hamilton comes into her own as a believable action hero, expertly balancing human drama with a rough, taut physicality. Newcomer Edward Furlong is also quite good as her rebellious son. As with many of Cameron's films, however, the visual effects are what make the movie really stand out. Integrated into several lengthy action sequences, the indestructible molten-metal villain (played in human form by Robert Patrick) is audacious and exciting, enough so to avoid becoming stale even on repeat viewings. ~ Brendon Hanley, All Movie Guide