Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Director

The intersection in

The interior of

File:Terminator 2 T-1000 special effects.webm

Waxwork of the T-800 at

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 American science fiction film directed by James Cameron. It is the sequel to the 1984 film The Terminator and the second installment in the Terminator franchise. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, a cyborg assassin sent back in time from 2029 to 1991 to protect John Connor, played by Edward Furlong, who is destined to become the leader of the human resistance against Skynet, an artificial intelligence system that will cause a nuclear holocaust known as Judgment Day. Linda Hamilton returns as Sarah Connor, John's mother, with a significant transformation from the first film, becoming a determined warrior and protector of her son. The film also introduces the character of the T-1000, played by Robert Patrick, a more advanced terminator made of liquid metal sent by Skynet to kill John Connor.

Plot

The film opens with a vision of the future, where machines have taken over the world, leading to a relentless war against humanity. In 1991, the Terminator is sent back in time to protect John Connor from the T-1000, which has been sent to kill him. Sarah Connor, who has been institutionalized for her apocalyptic warnings, escapes with the help of the Terminator and her son. Together, they attempt to stop Judgment Day by destroying the research that would lead to the creation of Skynet.

Production

Directed by James Cameron, Terminator 2: Judgment Day was notable for its groundbreaking use of CGI and practical effects to create the T-1000 character, marking a significant advancement in visual effects technology. The film had a substantial budget, estimated to be about $102 million, making it the most expensive film made up to that point.

Reception

Upon its release, Terminator 2: Judgment Day was a critical and commercial success. It received widespread acclaim for its visuals, action sequences, and the depth of its human and philosophical themes. The film won several Academy Awards, including Best Makeup, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Visual Effects. It was also a box office hit, grossing over $520 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 1991.

Legacy

Terminator 2: Judgment Day has been regarded as one of the greatest action films ever made and a landmark in the science fiction genre. Its influence can be seen in numerous films and media that followed, particularly in the use of CGI. The film also solidified Arnold Schwarzenegger's status as a leading action star and contributed significantly to the popularity of the Terminator franchise, which has since included several more films, a television series, and a wide range of merchandise and media.