50 Reasons Why Terminator 2 Is The Greatest Film Of All Time

30. Dark Humour

Once John realises that the T-800 has to do what he says, things get a lot more interesting, in what feels like a dark take on a "boy and his dog" tale. John has him accost two jocks who come over when they think the T-800 is going to hurt John. Later, after John has made him swear he will not kill anyone, the T-800 caps the security officer as they enter Pescadero State Hospital to evacuate Sarah. John gets mad, and T-800 retorts with the hilarious, "He'll live"; indicating a precise, yes, robotic kneecapping. Also the creepy porter at the hospital, Dougie, gets his brutal just desserts after taking advantage of Sarah; she beats him unconscious and drags him into the janitor's closet, much to our satisfaction.

31. Scene: Sarah Faces Her Fear

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq2hWRHkk-M&feature=player_embedded As Sarah attempts her own escape from the hospital, the T-800 is already in tow with her son. In their rescue effort, they of course cross paths with Sarah, who upon setting her eyes upon the machine, is sure that he has returned, somehow, to kill her. A terrified Sarah flees promptly, and this scene typifies much of her character, as a large portion of the film's latter half deals with Sarah learning to trust machines after how hard she fought to kill one in the last film. That is Cameron's skill, of imbuing even bravura chase scenes with important character subtext.

32. Everyone Is Fair Game

The T-800 of the original film was an absolutely merciless killing machine, and here the robots are just as indiscriminate. The T-1000, in his search for Connor at his home, murders his dog, and during the hospital escape sequence, the T-800 - who is programmed not to kill humans - manhandles a female security guard. It tends to be frowned upon in action these days, unless of course the woman involved is a Vasquez-esque, ass-kicking femme. In that respect the film is a pleasant product of its time, prior to overt political correctness that defines certification boards these days.

33. Scene: The Pescadero Escape

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Hfp0MI3OM&feature=player_embedded Yet another thrilling action scene that combines outstanding visual effects with superb action direction, this is absolutely spectacular, as the T1000 gives chase, clinging to their car and ultimately being shaken off, albeit temporarily. Get ready to epically facepalm when Connor naively throws a piece of the T-1000 out of the car, allowing him to reform and function correctly.
Contributor
Contributor

Frequently sleep-deprived film addict and video game obsessive who spends more time than is healthy in darkened London screening rooms. Follow his twitter on @ShaunMunroFilm or e-mail him at shaneo632 [at] gmail.com.