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Terminator 2 is on Sundance Channel and this maybe the best paced action movie I’ve ever seen.
The motion, camera movement & cuts on dialogue are almost perfect
The motion, camera movement & cuts on dialogue are almost perfect
Robert Patrick in this is genuinely great as the T-1000, shoutout to Marietta
Okay, so this is me, Professor Williams and my audio maybe slightly low.
So here’s one of the reasons why this movie really excelled, camera movement:
So here’s one of the reasons why this movie really excelled, camera movement:
Another thing, the camera movement in this one is really about keeping the pace of the entire movie but also to convey the real world boundaries.
It’s why when you come back to certain locations in the movie your brain feels as if you know where things are:
It’s why when you come back to certain locations in the movie your brain feels as if you know where things are:
One of the other things that got me the second time around watching is how we meet Arnold (T-800) from his POV first.
So it forces the viewer to see the world that way. It also just reaction shots + responses
This sets up a great way of world building w/o being expository:
So it forces the viewer to see the world that way. It also just reaction shots + responses
This sets up a great way of world building w/o being expository:
One of the other things that really works is how the 2nd 2nd AD has made sure the background actors are always doing something. It helps convey the world and also keeps the viewer engaged 
So this is something for a few reasons:
1. In the late 1980s the ‘gritty cop trope’ was all the rage in TV/Film
2. Reagan’s War on Drugs + Biden’s early crime bills
3. Introduction of crack cocaine in LA four years prior
4. Making a cop the villain then was way ahead of time
1. In the late 1980s the ‘gritty cop trope’ was all the rage in TV/Film
2. Reagan’s War on Drugs + Biden’s early crime bills
3. Introduction of crack cocaine in LA four years prior
4. Making a cop the villain then was way ahead of time
Also, I learned recently that they were filming this movie at the exact same time and place as the Rodney King beating in LA: https://www.moviefone.com/2017/08/24/terminator-2-facts/
Also again the choice of James Cameron making the villain a cop was purposeful: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/terminator-2-commentary-policing/
This is also important for development a sense of direction and location.
All four main characters are seen in varying introductions and exits from the same location.
It’s a small detail but often over looked :
All four main characters are seen in varying introductions and exits from the same location.
It’s a small detail but often over looked :
Another example of establishing shots:
Another thing that’s interesting is that this movie treats the first act as the last act.
After the first 10ish minutes of establishing characters that directly moves into the third act chase sequence.
But it uses this time to start the chase on foot first. Builds from there.
After the first 10ish minutes of establishing characters that directly moves into the third act chase sequence.
But it uses this time to start the chase on foot first. Builds from there.
Another thing, impact of physical violence in movies. In most movies the characters are basically super heroes and in super hero movies they just don’t get hurt from anything
This movie does a good job of is showing impact of damage. As well as going back to established locations for its action, chase and fighting sequences. Now we’re back at the viaduct, in most movies we’d completely skip it.
But visiting it prior sells the actors AND the action
But visiting it prior sells the actors AND the action
While Terminator and Terminator 2 are sci-fi films, the main structure is actually based in horror films. In particular the slasher genre as Cameron made the slow stalking, unkillable nature of the Terminator based on Michael Myers https://gamerant.com/the-terminator-1984-horror-movie/
But first, we’re going back to another establishing shot of the same facility. This facility entrance is also continuity of the other two prior characters.
From here T2 acts still in the third act conclusion of most films. Operating now as a slasher film when the killer finally meets the hero. This also operates as a escape film often seen in prison and insane asylum films
This is now the T-1000 acting in the same way a serial killer like Michael Myers would in a horror film.
It’s how T-1000 operates most of the movie—he stalks, runs down hero and attacks characters between him.
This is a typical Myers rundown in Halloween franchise
It’s how T-1000 operates most of the movie—he stalks, runs down hero and attacks characters between him.
This is a typical Myers rundown in Halloween franchise
Standard final act haunted house here
Also classic horror movie final act ‘return to house’ trope + a bit of how buddy cop films establish boundaries of personal actions of the duo
So, it’s late and I’m not sure y’all are super interested...BUT this is one of the best made films of all-time! I suggest y’all watch both films!
The movie gets better from here and it’s really a combo of old school filmmaking + then-cutting edge vfx + great camera + editing
The movie gets better from here and it’s really a combo of old school filmmaking + then-cutting edge vfx + great camera + editing
