2. Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
Hollywood's first $100m movie would see James Cameron continue what would become a career trademark; making hugely expensive movies that revolutionized the visual effects industry to massive box office success. Reverse-engineering Arnold Schwarzenegger's ruthless cyborg into the hero of Terminator 2 may have seemed like a gamble at the time, especially with a budget fifteen times higher than the original, but it was one that paid off to the tune of over half a billion dollars. A protracted legal battle for the rights to the franchise saw the movie arrive seven years after the original low-budget classic, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise from a technical standpoint; the release of The Abyss in 1989 saw James Cameron and ILM prove that convincing fully digital characters were now possible, and the technology took a huge leap forward with Robert Patrick's T-1000. Although they look somewhat primitive when viewed today, the effects still hold up and add an even more threatening dimension to the movie's seemingly-unstoppable villain. As well as Patrick's suitably robotic portrayal of the villain, the performances are great across the board. Despite minimal dialogue, Arnold Schwarzenegger uses his sheer presence and charisma to transform the T-800 into an iconic hero and ultimately a father figure to Edward Furlong's John Connor, who occasionally veers into 'annoying child sidekick' territory. Linda Hamilton's turn as Sarah Connor is nothing short of astonishing, the big-haired 'damsel in distress' of the first movie is now long gone; replaced by a lean, mean, fighting machine that will protect her son at any cost. Besides the groundbreaking special effects and strong cast, Terminator 2 is simply one of the greatest blockbusters ever made. The chase between the articulated truck and the motorcycle is as jaw-dropping as it was on the first viewing, and the battle between Arnie's T-800 and a SWAT team at the Cyberdyne building makes ingenious use of the Terminator not being able to use deadly force. Then there's the spectacular finale that involves a helicopter crash, an exploding liquid nitrogen tanker and a showdown in a steel mill before finishing on a surprisingly emotional note as the T-800 sacrifices himself for the greater good.