So often, sequel films are a poor imitation of the original. This wasn’t the case with Terminator 2. Terminator 2: Judgement Day is arguably the most popular of the Terminator franchise, and will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2016. To celebrate T2’s anniversary, James Cameron is making a big change to the blockbuster. Cameron recently made the announcement of his plan saying:
Next year marks the 25th anniversary of Terminator 2 and that seemed like the perfect time to bring it back but this time in an all-new 3D version… If you’ve never seen it, this’ll be the version you want to see and remember.
Oh hell yes. I am sold. Terminator 2 is my favorite chapter in the franchise, and it would definitely lend itself well to 3D. James Cameron has been mulling over the possibility of re-releasing T2 for a few years, so I’m glad that The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed finally happening. This a wise move for a few reasons.
First of all, Terminator 2 was originally released in 1991, and has become a staple of 90’s pop culture. While 90’s kids might have grown up watching T2 on VHS, millennials by and large didn’t get to see the film when it was in theaters. So, in addition to fans who are thrilled to see the new 3-D version in the movies, there will also be an entire generation of Terminator fans who will be seeing T2 on the big screen for the first time, and in 3-D. I can guarantee that all of my friends growing up will have their butts in the seats to watch Arnold kick some ass and say his trademark lines.
Additionally, we’ve seen that the characters and visual effects that were originally in Terminator 2: Judgement Day are already effective in 3-D. There was an attraction in Universal Studios theme park in Orlando, Hollywood, and Japan that was that exact concept. The attraction, named T2: 3-D Battle Across Time reunited all of the original actors, and even James Cameron himself directed the 12 minute film that put park goers in the semi-sequel. Unfortunately, the attraction closed in 2012 for the Hollywood location, but it’s clear that the 3-D model will work rather well Terminator 2.
The last few chapters in the Terminator franchise have been critical disappointments. 2009’s Terminator: Salvation didn’t even interest Arnold Schwarzenegger, and he decided to skip it. While a financial success, Salvation was panned by fans and critics alike, and also put Christian Bale’s career in jeopardy after his infamous on-set tirade was captured on video. This was followed by this year’s Terminator: Genisys, which was a huge box office hit, although once again panned by critics. While Schwarzenegger returned, and the film had Khaleesi herself, Emilia Clarke, it failed to capture the magic of the first two.
With so many less than satisfactory sequels in recent memory, it’s surely going to be refreshing to see a Terminator film that we know will deliver. Adding the element of 3-D, I’m sure Terminator 2: Judgement Day will be even more epic than it originally was.
