10 Movie Sequels That Completely Changed Tone
3. Terminator 2: Judgement Day
It's safe to say that Terminator 2 is among the mist universally praised and beloved action movies ever made, and rightly so. The set pieces are mesmerising, the story has a real emotional core, and the character arcs are profound in their contrasts with the original film.
James Cameron's 1984 hit film, The Terminator, served as the launching pad for his and Arnold Schwarzenegger's careers. On their way to becoming Hollywood legends, they made sure that the eagerly anticipated sequel followed the same beats as the original, but cleverly twisted the delivery to create a fresh experience.
We all know about the mind blowing special effects, but the humanity at this film's core is what has made it into such a giant in the pantheon of cinema. Sarah Connor is evolved into a badass action heroine, Arnie is a saviour, and Guns 'n' Roses have a song in the soundtrack.
It's a perfect recipe for for genius, the low budget horror tone of the first film is switched up for a hyperbolic action romp that packs a mean punch. There's a reason this film is still talked about fondly today, and that is the careful handling of its evolution into a pure piece of resounding spectacle. And now none of us can see a thumbs up without shedding a tear.