Terminator 2: Judgement Day

Terminator 2 judgement Day is a 1991 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron. The film tells the story of Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and her son John (Edward Furlong) as they are chased down by liquid metal terminator called the T-1000 (Robert Patrick) who is sent back in time to kill John and prevent him from being the leader of the human resistance. Meanwhile, the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is also sent back in time to protect John. Like the first film Terminator 2 can be taken as just another Schwarzenegger sci-fi action flick. However, just like the first film Terminator 2 is a commentary on the dangers of technology, the divide between man and machine and an analysis on fate and free will.

From the opening sequence of Terminator 2, with the post-apocalyptic setting of terminators walking over the remains of a human city showcases the inevitable rise of artificial intelligence and technology as something to fear as machinery ultimately becomes the dominant species that create their own destiny by overturning humanity. This is further showcased by the robotic futuristic weaponry  highlighting the dangers of technology and artificial intelligence as well as feeding into the technological paranoia subtext of these films highlighting the dangers of our relationship to machinery within society as well as criticising humanity’s desire to play God. The battle sequence between the resistance fighters and the terminators further showcases this, as the film depicts humanities assimilation into the machine and shows that in playing god our creations turn against us and ultimately destroy us. The terminator franchise has a lot of parallels with the story of Frankenstein in that in creating a new life and playing god as the creation turns against its creator killing him and ultimately going on a rampage. Like the first terminator film we are shown a gritty realistic partial of sci-fi warfare as the terminator versus terminator plot throughout the film shows two unstoppable forces going against one another. With the burning playground imagery in the opening credit sequence, the imagery is reminiscent to that of the atomic bomb and further showcases the mass destruction and the dangers of technology and artificial intelligence. In a scene similar to the first film the T 800 terminator comes back in time from the future along with the repetition of the “I need your clothes your boots and your motorcycle” however, this time the terminator maims the biker to where he froze his key setting. This further showcases the idea of change and development within the terminator as it has been reprogrammed by John Conner and is now designed to protect him, watch when related to the first film acts as a brilliant subversion and role reversal.

This also links into the idea of fate and free will within the terminator franchise and people can be more than the sum of their parts. His transformation dressed in leather riding a motorbike encapsulates this classic image of Terminator cementing its place as the good guy action movie star. The idea of the T 1000 taking the form of a police officer symbolically showcases how the terminators can hide their evil deeds in plain sight with the police officer being an image of the law and order especially with young people highlighting the tension and dread within the film. With the T 1000 using the police track is a fine John, it further showcases the theme of using primitive technology against futuristic machines.

In Terminator 2 we see the transformation of Sarah Connor from frightened civilian to soldier. Although dramatic this transformation is also realistic considering the events of terminator one making her fight against the machines showcasing her survival instincts within the first film as a event like that would make her hardened and a capable fighter. As well as this her being an Asylum makes perfect sense as seen through anyone else’s eyes her story with the terminator seems far-fetched and makes her look crazy. Concepts such as law and order within the universe of Terminator 2 are now subverted as a terminator disguised as a policeman uses detective like methods to track down John Connor. As this is happening we are shown John hacking into a cash machine in order to steal money a skill he most likely learnt from Sarah to prepare him for the future as Sarah in her own weird way does care for him. Ultimately Sarah is shown as just as crazy as Karl was in the first film. Although obviously incorrect this conclusion makes sense in the minds of the psychologists as it seems as if Sarah is insane. This scene also showcases her intelligence and growth of the character with her emitting her insanity in order to try and outsmart doctors so she will be transferred to a minimum security prison to be able to see her son in order to warn him about the terminators.

As this is going on the film shows that the terminator chip and hand as being preserved. This scene highlights man’s obsession in playing God and how we will also the create our own downfall. They then shown the other side of Sarah as she attacks the doctor using her strength to overpower him again although she is right it makes sense in the Doctors eyes why she would be crazy. As this is going on, the T 1000 tracks down John like a cop as the film becomes a three man chase with him John and the T 1000 closing in on one another as the T 1000 again uses police investigation techniques to track down John. Chased down by the T 1000 John comes face-to-face with two killing machines. The T 800 removes it a shot gun from its packaging as the cop draws his pistol where you think that John is ultimately dead but then a great bait and switch the T 800 saves John’s life cementing his status as a bad arse action hero.

The T2000 is a upgraded liquid form showcasing the evolution of the terminator, as John outruns his destiny of being killed as the T800 changes it is destiny of being the villain. The truck chase scene shows John outrunning his own fate thereby choosing his own path as well as rejecting the assimilation of man by machine showcasing the dangers of advanced technology. We are show showing how the T-800 has been pre-programmed to protect John, sharp highlighting how people can change and that the future is not set as well as showcasing another important thing throughout the franchise being masculinity and what it means to be a man. The terminator saving John further signifies the change of the character as he is now programmed to protect highlighting his journey throughout the film being finding his own humanity. As the T 1000 rises from the ashes it showcases the unstoppable force of nature that the terminator is as well as highlighting the emotional manipulation that is a key theme throughout the terminator franchise. The T 1000 kills Johns foster parents and disguises himself as his foster mum again showcasing the death of humanity and the assimilation into the machine.

As this is going on, we are shown the realistic repercussions of the first film due to Sarah’s PTSD. She looks at photos of the terminator highlighting the emotional trauma the experiences had indicated by her glazed over expression. Sarah then escapes from her shackles both literally and metaphorically rejecting her destiny as the T 1000 moves in to kill her highlighting the rise of technology and artificial intelligence as something to fear, which is further showcased as the liquid terminator kills people in the hospital again showcasing the evolution of technology and the downfall of man. As Sarah kills the guards as escapes, she exercises her free will rejecting fate and cementing her hero status by fighting back against the machines. As this is going on, John states that he does not want the terminator to kill people which alludes to why his easy sign full of hope within the film. Sarah holding the warden at needlepoint shows her transformation into the badass action hero as she outruns her fate, we are shown a brilliant use of bait and switch in the form of the terminator. Sarah thinks that her demise is imminent only for the terminator save her confirmed by the reincorporation of the line “come with me if you want to live” said by Karl Rees in the first film. The terminator now has a different fate and destiny that of protecting John and Sarah Connor. As the T 1000 comes after them showcasing the dangers of technological and artificial intelligence as well as outrunning your destiny and rejecting fate in favour of free will.

As the T 1000 hunts them down it further showcases the idea of running from your fate and the dangers of machinery and artificial intelligence. As they fight back against the terminator it shows a rejection of assimilation in favour of the individual as well as highlighting the dangers of technology and artificial intelligence. When the T 1000 jumps on the car the T 800 fights back against it. This again shows mankind’s demise at the hands of technology but also how the T 800 is now able to choose a better path. Terminator 2 showcases the idea of an emotional disconnect between John’s mum Sarah only sees what he represents as the saviour of humanity and John just wants a mum. With John teaching the terminator human language such as “no problemo” and “asta la vista baby” the T 1000 becomes more human under the guidance of John blurring the line between man and machine as well as showcasing the idea of free will within Terminator 2 as the machine is ultimately able to grow adapt and become more human. As John and the terminator talk about the fate of humanity in which John says “we’re not gonna make it people I mean” to which the terminator responds “it’s in your nature to destroy yourselves”, the film comments on the dangers of technology as well as the evolution of man. Humanity loves destruction and war and in playing God they are creating their own demise.

We then get the back story on how Skynet got started which led to a post-apocalyptic future. Miles Benjamin Dyson director of the spec branch at  Cyberdyne Systems Corporation created in a few months from the events in the film a revolutionary type of microprocessor. In three years, Cyberdyne becomes the largest supplier of military computer systems. All military computers are then updated to Cyberdyne ones. This allows for planes to be flown unmanned with a perfect operational record. From this the Skynet funding bill is passed and the system goes online on August 4, 1997, human decisions are removed from strategic defence as Skynet learns as a geometric rate. Skynet becomes self-aware to 14 a.m. Eastern time on August 19. In the panic they try and pull the plug however Skynet fights back and launches missiles against Russia since Skynet knows Russia will counterattack leaving its enemies to obliterate one another.

Due to John being lost and confused by his mother in the state of the world he ultimately see the terminator as a father figure. As they bond the terminator asks why humans cry as the film explores the essence of humanity through the vessel of a machine is John teaches him to high-five showcasing the humanity within Terminator 2 and what it means to be human. This idea of the terminator being Johns father figure in that it will not stop or leave him showcasing an important character aspect for both John and the terminator. The terminator represents a constant in johns life that he never really had as it has a loyalty to John like a father to son. Ultimately this idea of the machine being a father figure again highlights the humanity present within terminator two.

In Sarah’s dream sequence we are shown the destruction of humanity at the hands of machine. However, they have ultimately initiated their own end by playing God and creating machinery that is raising up to kill its masters as evident by the dark post-apocalyptic imagery of the future. The sequencing in which people get blown away, destroyed and set on fire by the blast mirrors real-world tragedies such as the dropping of the atomic bomb showcasing humanities nature to destroy itself and how we will initiate our own end. From this Sarah carves “no fate” into the table. This clearly highlights the nature of free will and choice throughout the terminator franchise, as she decides to carve out the future for herself by rejecting fate and pursuing free will by going after Myles Bennett Dyson to change history. As John states in the film “the future is not set there’s no fate but what we make for ourselves” this quote directly relates to the key themes of the terminator franchise rejecting the notion of a fixed state and seeing the future as a malleable construct in which to change for the better.

This idea of changing the future is further reinforced by Sarah’s plan to kill Miles Dyson for the supposedly greater good. During the scene where Sarah tries to kill Dyson, she is stopped by John the symbol of humanity within the terminator franchise. As Sarah tries to kill Dyson, she realises that she has become the monster that she vowed to destroy ending John hugging her she regained her humanity excepting the loving compassion of her son.

As the terminator removes its arm to reveal a robotic skeleton, it further shows the assimilation of man into the machine and the technological evolution of man’s demise. Dyson is betrayed sympathetically within the film has he shown to be just an average man who inadvertently dammed humanity. This again showcases the idea of fate, free will and destiny all play a critical role within the characters as well as further showcasing the dangers of technological artificial intelligence. The film shows the dangers of playing god with references to the hydrogen bomb highlighting the fear of technology and how technological evolution always amounts to humanity’s destruction as it seems that death is the essence of humanity. We find out that they have the chip from the first terminator in the first film. This shows the advances in technology and how it will ultimately destroy mankind, due to man’s desire to play god humanity seals its own coffin further highlighting the downfall of man through technology and artificial intelligence. However, as the themes of faith and destiny throughout the franchise show man ultimately has the free will to change it. Humanity can map out its own history and rebel against the notion of fate preventing its destruction at the hands of the machine.

As they break into the lab to steal and destroy everything, the terminator shoots at the police without killing anyone. This symbolises his humanity and grow throughout the film as he learns about humanity and what it means to be human, he recognises the need to preserve life as during this scene he kills no one in the process. The police coming to shoot Miles highlights how humanity will always be doomed to the same fate. However, with Miles detonating  the device sacrificing himself as the building explodes it shows a rejection of fate and destiny in favour of free will and that humanity acts on its own decisions. We also see the terminator transforming into a better person by protecting John and Sarah and not killing the police despite being ripped to shreds by the bullets, which is also showing him finding the keys in the summariser showing that he is learning about humanity.

As this is going on, the T 1000 riding on a motorbike jumps onto a helicopter showcasing the fear of technology within society. With Sarah Connor shooting the T 1000 from the truck as it tries to kill them in the helicopter, the film showcases fighting back against our technological fears and paranoia and exercising free will to overcome fate and destiny. With the T 800 fighting the T 1000 it shows that the terminator is finding the humanity within itself allowing choice to dictate its actions. In the car chase scene, they are forging their own path deciding their own actions as technology hunts them down and kills them, this is further showcased when liquid nitrogen in the truck spills onto the T 1000. It. This again further highlights the idea of fighting back against fate and destiny and how within the terminator films humans use non-futuristic methods to defeat the technological enemy highlighting the strength of humanity. As the T 800 shoots T 1000 with the classic line “asta la vista baby” showcasing that the terminator has changed from humanity and learnt what it means to be human. By doing the right thing in saving John and Sarah he has proved to be more than just a machine. However, the molten metal in the industrial factory in which the climax takes place brings the T1000 back to life further cementing the themes of the fear of technology and artificial intelligence showcasing terminators to be in the human killing machines. As the T 1000 stalks them through the steel mill a fitting setting for a showdown with machines, the terminator showcases what it has learnt from humanity and sacrifices itself by sending John and Sarah away for a one on one terminator battle. The T 800 rejects the notion of fate and destiny and pursues free will in order to become more human. In a role reversal of the climax of the last film a limping injured Sarah is helped by John as the terminators showdown showcasing that both machines will stop at nothing to destroy one another. As this is going on Sarah also fights back against the terminator further showcasing her role as a bad arse sci-fi action hero as well as symbolically rejecting the dominance of machine.

Sarah shows that she cares for John by not submitting to the T1000 as the T 800 attacks it. As a fight ensues between them it seems as if all hope is lost for the T 800 as the T 1000 drives a metal rod into him supposedly killing him and further showcasing the dangers of technology. This is until the T 800 reboots taking the pole out of its body showcasing free will and the desire to control your own fate. Again, emotional manipulation is used within Terminator 2 as the T 1000 tries to use Sarah to lure John to him only for Sarah to shoot it. The T 800 then fires a grenade at the T 1000 blowing it up in a similar way to the first film with the deformed liquid terminator showcasing brilliant special effects. As the T 1000 falls into the molten metal with the symbolism of what forged it kills it they throw the arm and chip into the molten metal pit. The terminator then realises that it has to sacrifice itself for humanity. The terminator ultimately learns what it means to be human and by delving into the essence of humanity the terminator makes a choice showcasing that even a machine can have free will and choosing create its own destiny becoming more than just a mindless killing machine. As the terminator himself states “I know now why you cry”. He now knows what it means to be human, embracing John with a hug showing that they do truly care for one another before shaking Sarah’s hand. The handshake signifies a respect between the two as people who are once enemies are now letting go of their hatred and rage for each other and instead have created a friendship. As Sarah lowers him into the molten metal in a fitting end for the terminator, he gives a thumbs up signifying his humanity. This is perfectly summed up in Sarah’s closing monologue she states, “The unknown future rolls toward us. I face it, for the first time, with a sense of hope. Because if a machine, a Terminator, can learn the value of human life, maybe we can too”.

Terminator 2 is ultimately a film about the rejection of fate in favour of free will and finding humanity within our technological paranoia. As opposed to the first film which has a more oppressive dystopian atmosphere Terminator 2 offers a sense of hope in that the future is not set and that humanity can change and reject fate and if a terminator can find the essence of humanity then there is hope for us to.