in 1991, I was a freshman in high school. I was still very much under the thumb of my parents and spiritual leaders, so I couldn’t just walk into a theater and request a ticket to see Terminator 2. I was 14 fucking years old, for god’s sake. When it was released on home video, a friend of a friend had it and I watched it. I wasn’t supposed to. It was late at night. It felt wrong, but I loved everything about that movie.
I saw John Connor on the screen and even though our personalities were different, I felt a connection to him. I later found out that he was born August 2, 1977. I was born August 28, 1977.
I bought the soundtrack on cassette tape and listened to it repeatedly. Especially when I wanted to amp myself up to sneak over to my friend Martin’s house and delivery Christmas presents in the middle of the night.
I remember getting the toys for Christmas one year. They were kinda lame but that’s all we had back in the day.
There are so many things about this movie that I love. Allow me to explain.
Characters
Arnold Schwarzenegger – The Terminator. One of the biggest action stars of the 80’s and 90’s. Massive, cold, practically indestructible. He’s a fucking killing machine. I loved his POV with the digital readout and his night vision. I loved his efficiency. Even his entrance was epic. The cold, blue light looks like something I’d see when sneaking outside when I was young. Terminator was such a badass, demanding the clothes, the boots and motorcycle. I used to love “Bad to the bone” because it reminded me of him. He’s just this huge, larger than life guy, in amazing shape, and just in his fucking prime! No one comes close. Not Stallone, not nobody.
Robert Patrick – The T1000. Thin, fast, smart, persistent… the T1000 was a formidable opponent in this movie. Just watching him run after John gives me chills. And he’s absolutely RUTHLESS! Motherfucker kills EVERYONE he comes in contact with. Even the goddamn dog! He’s absolutely despicable and I love to hate him.
Linda Hamilton – Sarah Connor. Holy shit! This is the MOST badass woman in all of cinema, ever! She’s introduced by doing pull-ups on her bed in a mental ward. She’s intelligent, a little psycho, but 100% driven by her goals. She’s a weapons expert, a strategic master, and ready to sacrifice herself for all of humanity. Connor is also incredibly brave. the T1000 is about to kill her and her response is, “Fuck you.” Even when shot, she still fights back with everything she’s got. Sarah Connor is the best. Even better than Ellen Ripley.
Edward Furlong – John Connor. Even though his voice is a little squeaky, and he can be a little prick at times, he’s still a smart kid when it comes to hacking terminals, loading firearms, and teaching killer cyborgs how to speak english like a normal human. He’s wearing a PUBLIC ENEMY shirt. You think that was on purpose? Yeah, I think it works a little better than Gun’s & Roses, which was the only downfall of this film. As I watch the movie again tonight, I have respect for him, especially when he stands up to his mom. The kid’s got heart.
Environments –
The bleak, destroyed future. The suburbs. The mall. The parking garage. The highway. The psych ward. The desert. The 90’s modern home. The futuristic office/lab. The industrial steel mill.
The look and lighting of these places was outstanding. Makes me feel like I’m really there.
The music –
Sometimes exciting, sometimes somber, it gives a wide range of emotion and I could listen to it all damned day.
Today is July 3, 2026 – the 35th anniversary of Terminator 2. I never saw in the the theater, but that’s okay. I’ve watched it repeatedly over the years.
As artificial intelligence gains more popularity and usage, the film becomes more relevant. We might be fighting Skynet sooner than we think.
I’ve thought about this quote so many times over the years – –
“The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves”
