Why Terminator 2: Judgment Day Is the Greatest Action Film Ever Made

The action genre is most certainly not dead, but many would argue that modern-day films can’t live up to the brilliance of the offerings from the 1980s and 1990s. There’s a long list of movies to choose from when it comes to picking the best of these, many of which star Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day is the best of all the titles to feature the legendary muscle man, and it’s hard to think of an action film that has topped it in the years since its release in 1991. Indeed, the brilliance of that picture could be the reason why all the Terminator offerings that followed never managed to hit the mark.

Schwarzenegger’s Most Iconic Role

Schwarzenegger has put in some iconic performances over the years, but none are as legendary as the T-800 terminator. Indeed, if you were to make a list of actors who were completely perfect for the role that they played, Arnie as the killing machine would have to be at the top. He’s completely believable as a humanoid robot, and the fact that he has minimal lines in the film works in his favour.

Before starring in James Cameron’s movies, Schwarzenegger had already established himself as an action hero. But it was T2 that elevated him to legendary status and put him among the most sought-after actors in the world. His character was so legendary that it was impossible for future films in the franchise to replace him, so they had to keep thinking of excuses to bring him back.

The Legacy of That Picture Lives on Today

When you think of Schwarzenegger, the first image that springs to mind is that of the T-800, clad in leather with sunglasses and his signature shotgun. That’s because the legacy of the picture still lives on in popular culture, with various other pieces of content that relate to it.

For example, people can have their picture taken alongside the T-800 at Madame Tussauds, and there have been countless games based on the movie. In the online casino industry, the Terminator Win & Spin is one of the most-played slot games on the market. It references Cameron’s sequel and has helped modern audiences discover the film as well.

Terminator 2 Has it All

There are plenty of action films that are vying to be regarded as the best of all time, but few can match T2 in terms of all-round brilliance. Along with getting Schwarzenegger in his defining role, the picture had one of the greatest directors ever in Cameron.

But that’s not all. T2 also completely transformed the role of women in action films. Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor went from being a damsel in distress in the first Terminator film to a fully-fledged badass in the second. This amazing performance helped pave the way for other strong female leads like Lara Croft.

There aren’t many films that you could happily watch over and over again, but T2 is one of them. It’s the ultimate action movie, and one that will most likely never be beaten.