Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 American science fiction action film directed by James Cameron, who co-wrote the script with William Wisher. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Robert Patrick, it is the sequel to The Terminator (1984) and is the second installment in the Terminator franchise. In the film, the malevolent artificial intelligence Skynet sends a Terminator—a highly advanced killing machine—back in time to 1995 to kill the future leader of the human resistance John Connor when he is a child. The resistance sends back a less advanced, reprogrammed Terminator to protect Connor and ensure the future of humanity. The Terminator was considered a significant success, enhancing Schwarzenegger's and Cameron's careers, but work on a sequel stalled because of animosity between the pair and Hemdale Film Corporation, which partially owned the film's rights. In 1990, Schwarzenegger and Cameron persuaded Carolco Pictures to purchase the rights from The Terminator producer Gale Anne Hurd and Hemdale, which was financially struggling. A release date was set for the following year, leaving Cameron and Wisher seven weeks to write the script. Principal photography lasted from October 1990 to March 1991, taking place in and around Los Angeles on an estimated $94–102 million budget, making it the most expensive film made at the time. The advanced visual effects by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), which include the first use of a computer-generated main character in a blockbuster film, resulted in a schedule overrun. Theatrical prints were not delivered to theaters until the night before the picture's release on July 3, 1991. Terminator 2 was a critical and commercial success, grossing $519–520.9 million at the box office to become the highest-grossing film of 1991 worldwide and the third-highest-grossing film of its time. The film won several accolades, including Saturn, BAFTA, and Academy awards. Terminator 2 merchandise includes video games, comic books, novels, and T2-3D: Battle Across Time, a live-action attraction. Terminator 2 is considered one of the best science fiction, action, and sequel films ever made. It is also seen as a major influence on visual effects in films, helping usher in the transition from practical effects to reliance on computer-generated imagery. The United States Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2023. Although Cameron intended for Terminator 2 to be the end of the franchise, it was followed by a series of sequels, including Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), Terminator Salvation (2009), Terminator Genisys (2015), and Terminator: Dark Fate (2019), as well as a 2008 television series.

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Sweet dreams.

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Are you the legal guardian of John Connor? That's right, Officer. What's he done now? Could I speak with him, please? - You could if he were here. He took offon his bike this morning. He could be anywhere. Do you have a photograph of John? Yeah. Hold on. Gonna tell me what this is about? I just need to ask him a few questions. He's a good-looking boy. Do you mind if I keep this picture? No, go on. There was a guy here this morning looking for him too. Yeah, a big guy on a bike. Has that got something to do with this? I wouldn't worry about him. Thanks for your cooperation.

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Please insert your stolen card now.

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PIN number.

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Hurry up. This is taking too long. Go, baby.

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All right. PIN number 9003. - Where'd you learn this stufffrom? From my mom. My real mom, I mean. Withdraw 300 bucks. Come on, baby. Come on! - Yes! - Hey, it worked. All right. Easy money. Come on!

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Yes! Piece of cake.

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- Is that her? - Yes. She's pretty cool, huh? No, she's a complete psycho. That's why she's at Pescadero. It's a mental institute. She tried to blow up a computer factory but got shot and arrested. No shit. She's a total loser. Come on. Let's go spend some money.

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Sarah, wake up. Kyle. You're dead. Where's our son, Sarah? They took him away from me. - He's the target now. - I know. He's all alone. You have to protect him. I know. You tell me how I'm supposed to do that. He doesn't even believe me anymore. I've lost him. - You're strong, Sarah. Stronger than you ever thought you could be. On your feet, soldier! I love you, Sarah. I always will. I need you. - I'll always be with you. Remember the message? The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. Stay with me. There's not much time left in the world, Sarah. Kyle, don't go!

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It's like a giant strobe light... burning right through my eyes.

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Somehow I can still see.

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Oh, God.

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We know the dream's the same every night. Why do I have to... - Please continue.

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Children look like burnt paper. Black. Not moving. And then the blast wave hits them. And they fly apart like leaves. Dreams of cataclysm, the end of the world... are very common. It's not a dream, you moron. It's real. I know the date it happens. - I'm sure it feels real to you. On August 29, 1997... it's gonna feel pretty fuckin' real to you too! Anybody not wearing two-million sunblock is gonna have a real bad day. Get it? God, you think you're safe and alive. You're already dead. Everybody! Him. You. You're dead already. This whole place, everything you see is gone! You're the one living in the dream, 'cause I know it happens! It happens!

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I feel much better now. Clearer. Yes, your attitude has been... much improved lately.

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It's helped me to have a goal... something to look forward to. What is that? Well, you said... that if I showed improvement after six months... you would transfer me to the minimum security wing... and I could have visitors.

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Well, it's been six months and...

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I was looking forward to seeing my son.

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I see.

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Let's go back to what you were saying about those Terminator machines.

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