This series is dedicated to matching memorable movies with the signature day each year upon which they should be observed. To be honest, a somewhat contrived means to watch my favorite films and provide a running commentary/review. But, these are some of the things blogs were made for, so…!
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, Carolco Pictures/Pacific Western Productions/Lightstorm Entertainment, James Cameron)
This movie has always had a summer time feel for me. I first watched it in the summer. It was a summer blockbuster. And while the story is set in Los Angeles (which feels like summer year-round), many of the scenes have a "hot summer night" or "late desert afternoon" feel to them. And, of course, August 29th is "judgment day" (aka, the end of the world), so it's fitting that this day belongs to T2.
Many of the most critical scenes in the movie happen at night, and I feel like this movie plays best when started around 9-10p, after the sun goes down.
The opening bar scene is an all-time great character reveal. The naked arrival and on-site procurement equipment means are solid hallmarks of the series, but never done better than here. This is the best Arnold Schwarzenegger ever looked in a movie and his best movie.
Robert Patrick not blinking while firing his Beretta is such a solid add to the character. Hard to achieve but makes perfect sense.
In the first scene where we're introduced to Dyson, doesn't that long-blonde-haired, eyeglass-wearing dude look like Langly from The X-files! He walks past our view from right-to-left as the inflatable dinosaur comes into frame. Makes sense for the timeline, even if it doesn't make sense for the production dates.
This is arguably the greatest sequel of all time. That case is made a bit stronger if we're talking about the extended version, with Michael Biehn's return as Kyle Reese in dream form. I'm generally a fan of extended editions, and T2's comes highly recommended.
Sarah's entire escape scene from the mental hospital is one of the smartest, most taut, and suspenseful action sequences in film history. Nothing is wasted, and the characters earn every moment that they participate in.
I love the idea of the Terminator as a surrogate father for John given what's happened up till that point, and in light of the first movie. Beautiful storytelling!
Sarah's assault on the Dyson house sparks a feeling of meta-narrative weight—which my wife even claims to have noticed on repeat viewings—and the scene feels like it echoes flashes of Die Hard and The X-Files to boot.
Sarah's line to Dyson after the silent alarm is tripped and he says they have to abort, "No. We go all the way." is so sad and scary. It means: "No. We're going to die here, if that's what it takes." And it will (for him).
Dyson's story is heart-wrenching. He has a loving family (whose wife is played by Reba the Mail Lady from Pee-Wee's Playhouse!), a great career, is part of a company on the cutting edge of shaping the future, takes pride in what he does, is good at what he does, and yet he has to destroy it all and himself to prevent judgment day. Even unto his death, he tries to do as little harm as possible, holding the detonator long enough for the police to evacuate. What a hero.
"I'll be back." Never have so few and so simple of words been so iconic.
T2 pulls no punches. The heroes take plenty of damage throughout the story, but are never made out to feel weak or overmatched by what challenges them. It's such a good, solid progression of small victories and setbacks that really keep you glued and unsure.
The Terminator goes all "10-10-7 decise" when he vaults onto the big rig and unloads with the assault rifle before toppling the rig and thwarting the T-1000's vehicular charge. Badass.
The final fight between the two Terminators is so well balanced. Arnie gives as good as he gets, he just can't "out-tank" the T-1000. And then, after he rescues Sarah again, he's simply taken too much damage (and lost an arm) to be effective. Note to self: Always carry liquid nitrogen and 'nades when battling a mimetic poly-alloy being!
The thumbs-up at the end is corny, but gosh darn, that whole ending scene can make a grown man get misty. This scene hits even harder now that I know what it's like to be a father. (People should really learn to go back and rewatch/reread things they love, rather than waiting for commercial efforts banking on nostalgia to repackage it for them. I'm sure we'll revisit this notion a lot as this series continues.)
The first two movies really are a duology. That's really all you need. BUT. If you must follow it with something, may it be the excellent Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles and nothing else.
August 29 — 1 of 365 logged
