25. Visual Effects
A massive benchmark for its time, T2 still holds up extremely well today because Cameron employed visual effects economically, as is so rare these days. From the opening standoff between the T-800 and T-1000 to the most stunning moment, when the T-1000 emerges out of the fire of the viaduct chase and his liquid metal composition is revealed for the first time, it is a masterclass in sparing use of an impressive set of tools. Also excellent is the scene at the hospital in which the T-1000 emerges out of the floor, mimics a rotund police officer - partly achieved through him having a twin brother rather than CGI - before stabbing him in the face with a sharp metal finger. This helps make of the T-1000 one of cinema's most menacing and frighteningly unstoppable villains. Admittedly, though, some of the blue screen backdrop work is not quite up to par - especially when watching the Blu-Ray release - particularly when they escape the hospital and are speeding away, having shaken off the T-1000.
26. Scene: The Viaduct Chase
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0JMVal0cdY&feature=player_embedded One of the most thrillingly memorable chase sequences in film history has the T-1000 and T-800 racing - on a lorry and a motorbike respectively - to chase down John Connor, who has sped away on a diminutive little dirt bike. The best moment comes as John thinks he has evaded the T-1000 by driving down into a seemingly unreachable part of the viaduct, only for the him to come careening over a bridge - lorry and all - to continue the chase. This scene also introduced one of the cooler action film flourishes...
27. The Shotgun Twirl
As if we needed anymore proof that Arnie is a total badass, he flicks the shotgun around on one hand to reload while
driving with the other. Too cool.
28. Intelligent Action
T2 could probably have gotten away with a few more totally absurd moments given its time-bending narrative, but Cameron keeps everything not only spatially sensible but for the most part rooted in some sort of continuity. The above viaduct chase, for instance, ends with the T-1000 crashing his lorry into a partition before it explodes. Many directors - Michael Bay, for one - would probably have just had it explode within nanoseconds, but Cameron very deliberately cuts to the fuse sparking and exploding the leaking petrol tank, a nice little touch that makes us more connected to what is going on, as, you know, it actually makes physical sense.
29. It's Funny, Too
Whereas the first film was more serious and threatening - but appropriately so - T2, as a wonderfully silly action film, has the opportunity to have a little more fun with it. One of the best moments occurs during the T-1000/T-800 mall fight, after the T-800 is thrown through the glass window of a store. The T-1000 turns to stare at an aluminum mannequin, which is of course a sly and clever allusion to his liquid metal reveal later on, and a cheeky look at the T-1000's processing of the world around him. But this humour takes on another, rather unexpected bent, too...