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Movies / On DVD / Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Terminator 2: Judgment Day

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Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

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Reviews Counted:38

Fresh:37

Rotten:1

Average Rating:8.4/10

Consensus: T2 features thrilling action sequences and eye-popping visual effects, but what takes this sci-fi/ action landmark to the next level is the depth of the human (and cyborg) characters.

Runtime: 3 hrs 45 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis: A decade after Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) destroyed the original Terminator, a second unstoppable killing machine (Arnold Schwarzenegger) arrives from the post-apocalyptic year 2029. But this... A decade after Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) destroyed the original Terminator, a second unstoppable killing machine (Arnold Schwarzenegger) arrives from the post-apocalyptic year 2029. But this time his mission is to stop an even deadlier Terminator, the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), made entirely of shape-shifting liquid metal and determined to kill young John Connor (Edward Furlong), the future leader of the human resistance. Sarah, John, and the Terminator counter by going after the scientist responsible for developing Skynet, the computer system fated to destroy humanity, leading to an explosive and spectacular clash with the fate of humanity in the balance. Whereas James Cameron's original THE TERMINATOR was a low-budget marvel of efficiency and speed, TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY is an action-packed blockbuster with some of the most amazing stunts ever filmed and ground-breaking, Academy Award-winning special effects. Star Schwarzenegger was paid in the form of a $15 million dollar jet to revisit his most famous role as the Terminator, this time made kinder and gentler against the silent, relentless T-1000. One of the most popular films of the 1990s, James Cameron's action masterpiece is both a thoughtful look at violence in human nature and an exciting, nonstop thrill ride. [More]

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

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong, Earl Boen, Joe Morton, S. Epatha Merkerson, Castulo Guerra, Jenette Goldstein, Xander Berkeley

Director: James Cameron

Director: James Cameron
Screenwriter: James Cameron, William Wisher
Producer: Stephanie Austin, James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd, Mario Kassar, B.J. Rack
Composer: Brad Fiedel

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Terminator 2: Judgment Day

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

This remains one of the greatest and most adored action movies of the 90s.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/08/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Structured as a simple chase, the story sags midway, but the first hour and last 30 minutes display an enjoyably relentless bravura.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

At the end of both movies, I find myself overcome by an extraordinary swell of emotion.

Full Review Source: UK Critic | comment Comment
07/23/03
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
UK Critic

They enhance the movie by introducing dangerous threats to the survival of the heroes, while retaining the all-important physical essence of the fear of the chase that made the first film so exciting.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
11/03/01
Almar Haflidason
Almar Haflidason
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It lacks the dark originality and tight storyline of the first film, but has more action, destruction, excitement and carnage (and tears) than 20 other competing science fiction films.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Pulls out the stops, setting the gold standard for expensive, explosive summer blockbusters.

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
05/25/09
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

Cameron directs with a huge amount of style and personality, effortlessly jumping from the $6.4 million original to the $88 million sequel.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/22/09
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

...one of the most indelible examples of the contemporary action film...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
05/21/09
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

A humongous, visionary parable that intermittently enthralls and ultimately disappoints. T2 is half of a terrific movie -- the wrong half.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment 41 Comments
05/18/09
Richard Corliss
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

For all its state-of-the-art pyrotechnics and breathtaking thrills, this bruisingly exciting movie never loses sight of its humanity. That's its point, and its pride.

Full Review Source: Newsweek | comment Comment
05/18/09
David Ansen
David Ansen
Newsweek

The special effects from this 1991 classic action flick still hold up in today's world. T2 is a timeless classic that will live on forever.

comment Comment
08/02/08
Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy
BDK Reviews

Arnold Schwarzenegger is more comfortable and assured here than the first time around, reprising a role so perfectly suited to the voice and physique that have established him as a larger-than-life film persona.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
05/08/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A fireworks grand finale that never stops.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
09/23/07
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

...a milestone in the evolution of action films and their now-omnipresent computer-generated imagery.

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
05/30/07
John J. Puccio
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is an enjoyable, often exhilarating piece of filmmaking, with a wry sense of humor to boot.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
03/01/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As a fancy mechanism fueled by the pleasure of watching legions of people and equipment being summarily destroyed, this is pretty hot stuff.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
03/01/07
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader

Oh, it's well made. It's also overproduced and overlong and the ultimate in the effects-driven movie syndrome.

comment 1 Comment
08/27/03
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Mr. Cameron has made a swift, exciting special-effects epic that thoroughly justifies its vast expense and greatly improves upon the first film's potent but rudimentary visual style.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Despite all the special effects and stunts, it is the character development and the nice way the three principal actors work together that makes the film effective.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
03/23/03
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

Arnold Schwarznegger is still the ultimate leathers-wearing, Harley-riding, lever-action shotgun-toting bad-***

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
03/19/03
Brian Mckay
Brian Mckay
eFilmCritic.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for Terminator 2: Judgment Day

June 01, 2009: Top 10 Terminator Moments
Finally, it is here. Plagued by fanboy outcries, rumoured script changes, one legendary on-set tirade and a rash of mixed-to-rotten reviews from critics in the US, Terninator... More...

May 21, 2009: Jen Gets Terminated, Day 4: Terminator Salvation
It's been a roller coaster ride revisiting the science fiction films Terminator (1984), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), and I... More...

May 19, 2009: Jen Gets Terminated, Day 2: Terminator 2: Judgment Day
When James Cameron debuted his first real feature film in 1984 -- directing Piranha II: The Spawning for hire didn't really count -- he turned out a $6.5 million science fiction... More...

August 11, 2008: 20 CGI Classics - From T2 to Batman Begins to WALL-E
We showcase 20 films which have employed Pixar's pioneering software RenderMan to create some of the last two decades' most visually-impressive movies. More...

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